The Edmonton Oilers saga with Mike Babcock awaits an NHL investigation into what happened between him and Columbus Blue Jackets players three years ago, which led to his resignation.

Babcock has been off the coaching radar since, as the league chose not to investigate the NHL Players’ Association’s findings since he had resigned from Columbus. Out of sight, out of mind.

But now that will be re-hashed under a new set of eyes, with Frank Seravalli suggesting that there are “significant” additional claims beyond what is known about Babcock taking players’ phones to look through. That perception has led to many wondering if Babcock will be formally punished, or not given the job.

Chris Johnston of The Athletic said on his show Friday that sources indicate to him Babcock will be able to take the job once the investigation is resolved. But it’s far from clear.

Elliotte Friedman has detailed there’s frustration from the players involved as well, who’ve moved on in the past three years, and that agents have been vocal in this situation. But the process will be followed through.

The Oilers leadership group talked directly with Babcock — as they did with candidate Peter Laviolette — and up-and-down the organization, the disgruntled former Stanley Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist is who they want. 

NHLPA president Marty Walsh was on SiriusXM radio before Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final and wanted the process to remain clear about who hires players.

“There’s been some reports that the players have pushed this,” said Walsh. “Listen, it’s the GM, the president, the owner of a team, who hires a coach – not the players. Trying to put that on the players, that’s not the way it should work here.”

The Oilers seem prepared to wait this out. But the other question is, does Babcock want to go through all of this again?

Multiple insiders have suggested the investigation might not take as long as initially thought, with the NHL wanting a swift resolution to the situation. But they’ve also said it likely won’t start until the Stanley Cup Final is over.

As Friedman says, Gary Bettman has a lot of power in this situation, since there is no union for coaches, like there is for the players.