NHL STATEMENT ON MIKE BABCOCK The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith. Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to Show more
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Oilers cleared to hire Mike Babcock as NHL wraps up investigation
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2026, 12:45 EDT
According to multiple sources, the Edmonton Oilers will be able to hire Mike Babcock.
The NHL’s investigation into Mike Babcock’s past in Columbus three years ago is wrapping up shortly, and the league will not get in the way of the Oilers hiring the 63-year-old coach.
Both Emily Kaplan and Elliotte Friedman tweeted this news on Thursday morning. That means the Oilers can go ahead and hire Babcock, which appears to be their desire.
“The National Hockey League today released the following statement regarding its investigation of Mike Babcock,” the league said in a press release Thursday.
“The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith. Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favorable (sic) to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the League.”
How much former Blue Jackets participated in the investigation is unclear, but according to Pierre LeBrun on Wednesday’s episode of Oilers Now, Mike Babcock spoke to the league earlier this week, as well as former Columbus management.
There was a sentiment amongst the players to move on from the incidents, which publicly included looking through phones. Frank Seravalli added last week there were “significant” additional claims that the NHL Players Association was going to bring to the league as part of the investigation.
Edmonton’s saga with Babcock began publicly last Monday, when Darren Dreger reported the Oilers were checking with the NHLPA if there were any issues in hiring the former Stanley Cup winner and two-time Olympic gold medallist.
Several player agents of current Oilers have voiced concerns about the hiring, according to Friedman, and expressed concerns about other clients of theirs being traded to Edmonton.
Agent Dan Milstein appeared on The PuckPedia Hockey Show on Wednesday and endorsed Babcock as a coach, saying none of his clients ever had issues with him.
When the Oilers make the hiring official is unknown. If hired, Edmonton would be Babcock’s fifth official head coaching job in the NHL.
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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