The National Hockey League has cleared Mike Babcock after an investigation into his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets; Arash Madani was not a fan of the decision.
“I saw Elliotte Friedman’s tweet that the NHL had completed the investigation, how long did it take? Three days? Four days? I wonder if that investigation was as strenuous as the O.J. Simpson searches for the real killers,” Madani joked to SportsCage host, Barney Shynkaruk. “Who are we trying to fool?”
Babcock’s last head coach job in the NHL was with the Blue Jackets in 2023. Controversy arose between Babcock and his players after he allegedly asked them to view photos on their phones during one-on-one meetings. The NHLPA investigated whether that might have violated players’ privacy and on September 17, 2023, he resigned before coaching a single game in Columbus.
The NHLPA asked the league to re-examine what happened with the Blue Jackets after it was speculated the Edmonton Oilers were interested in hiring Babcock as the team’s head coach.
“The league has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith,” NHL PR said in a statement. “Our investigation has concluded that, even in the least favourable light to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the league.”
The Oilers were in search of a new head coach after Edmonton dismissed Kris Knoblauch and his assistant coach Mark Stuart on May 14.
As for a timeline as to when Edmonton might announce their new head coach, it was reported by TSN’s Ryan Rishaug the Oilers are working out a contract with Babcock. According to Rishaug, unless something changes at the last minute, expect a press conference early next week.
Overall, in Babcock’s career, he won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and internationally won Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014. Other international trophies include winning gold at the World Championship in 2004 with Canada and the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. He has coached 1,301 NHL games while spending time with the Anaheim Ducks, Red Wings, and Toronto Maple Leafs, producing a 700-418-19-164 record, according to Oilers Nation’s Michael Menzies.