Edmonton Oilers Hire Mike Babcock as Head Coach After NHL Clearance

The Edmonton Oilers hired Mike Babcock as head coach, the team announced Tuesday, days after the NHL cleared him to return to the bench. ESPN reported that Babcock had resigned from the Columbus Blue Jackets in September 2023 before coaching a game. The NHL completed its review after the NHL Players' Association requested an investigation once the Oilers' interest became public.

The league stated there was no current basis to restrict his employment. The NHLPA described the allegations as very concerning but said it expects Babcock to uphold the high standards required of NHL coaches. Sources told ESPN the review included Zoom interviews with former Blue Jackets players.

The Oilers' core leadership group was consulted and provided input on the hiring, ESPN reported. The move came a little more than a month after the Oilers fired Kris Knoblauch, who led the team to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 2024 and 2025 before a first-round exit in 2026.

The Oilers had first pursued Bruce Cassidy but were denied permission to interview him by the Vegas Golden Knights, who still hold his contract through the 2026-27 season.

Babcock has won 700 regular-season games and reached the playoffs in all but three seasons as a head coach. He led the Detroit Red Wings to the Stanley Cup in 2008. The Oilers have not won a Stanley Cup since 1990.

The hiring seeks to guide the club to another title and retain captain Connor McDavid, a three-time Hart Trophy winner who signed a two-year extension that begins after the 2027-28 season.