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Report: Oilers checking with NHLPA on potential Mike Babcock hire
Mike Babcock
Photo credit: Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY NETWORK
Michael Menzies
Jun 8, 2026, 14:45 EDTUpdated: Jun 8, 2026, 14:58 EDT
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The Edmonton Oilers are apparently interested in Mike Babcock.
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Oilers are contemplating bringing the controversial former two-time Olympic gold medal-winning coach on board, but are first checking with the NHL Players’ Association to see if any “objections that must be resolved” before a potential hire.
This is the first tangible report that the Oilers are indeed interested in looking at the controversial head coach, after suggestions by Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer in late May. When speculation popped up, Babcock said he was “retired.”
Reports have said that the Oilers’ top candidate is Bruce Cassidy, but without clarity on whether he’ll even be allowed permission to interview for the job, Edmonton may have to pivot.
The Los Angeles Kings took one of the top candidates off the job market early Monday afternoon by hiring Peter Laviolette.

Babcock’s history

Babcock has not coached in the NHL since the 2019-20 season, when he was let go by the Toronto Maple Leafs mid-season for Sheldon Keefe.
The Columbus Blue Jackets hired “Babs” in 2023, but before he could even coach a game with the team, he was fired after asking players to look through their phones. Since then, Babcock has not been tied to any head coaching vacancies in the league.
Babcock lifted the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in the 2007-08 season and made another appearance in the Final the following season. In 2010 and 2014, Babcock was coach for Team Canada and helped deliver a gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver and 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Fellow TSN insider Pierre LeBrun quickly replied on Twitter:
“If Mike Babcock does end up as coach in Edmonton, wouldn’t surprise me if DJ Smith joined up with him again. But we’ll see where all this goes.”
He’s coached a total of 1,301 NHL games with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, and Toronto Maple Leafs, with an all-time record of 700-418-19-164, which is a .604 points percentage.
However, several former players of Babcock’s have ridiculed his handling of players. Late last week in the OHL, the Brantford Bulldogs, which are partially owned by Oilers forward Zach Hyman, hired Babcock’s son as head coach.
Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4. 

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