The Edmonton Oilers are nearing a deal with Mike Babcock to become the team’s next head coach, according to multiple media reports on Monday.
Babcock, 63, has been out of the NHL since 2023, when he resigned 11 weeks after being named the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets following an NHL Players’ Association investigation. Babcock faced claims of improper behavior after he allegedly asked players to show him cellphone photos. He did not coach a game for the Blue Jackets.
The Oilers reportedly are asking the NHLPA if hiring Babcock would be acceptable.
Before his brief stint in Columbus, Babcock coached the then-Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002-03 to 2003-04), Detroit Red Wings (2005-06 to 2014-15) and Toronto Maple Leafs (2015-16 to 2019-20) to a combined 700-418-19-164 record (W-L-T-OTL).
Babcock led the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup championship in 2008, and he was head coach of Team Canada when it won gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.
The Oilers fired coach Kris Knoblauch on May 14 after losing to the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Edmonton lost in the Stanley Cup final in each of the two previous seasons, both times to the Florida Panthers.
The Oilers reportedly attempted to speak with former Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy in recent weeks regarding the coaching vacancy but were blocked from interviewing him by the Golden Knights.
