NHL names Babcock head coach after league clears him to return

The NHL named Mike Babcock head coach on Tuesday after determining he was cleared to coach following an investigation into his prior resignation. The NHL Players' Association had requested the review once the hiring process became public. Sources told ESPN's Emily Kaplan that the investigation included videoconference interviews with former players.

"Based on our investigation, we concluded there was no basis upon which he should be prohibited from coaching. His ability to coach depended on an NHL team wanting to have him coach. And that's what Edmonton did," commissioner Gary Bettman said after the Board of Governors meeting in New York.

" Jeff Jackson, the CEO of hockey operations for the team, said stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman "were involved and made their opinion known" about the hiring. "Players don't make the ultimate decision, but I think it's more important to be collaborative with them about communication," Jackson said.

Hiring follows prior coach's departure The move comes a little more than a month after the previous coach was fired. That coach had led the team to consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025 before a first-round exit this season. The team initially pursued another candidate whose current club withheld permission for an interview.

Officials then turned to Babcock, 63, who has won 700 NHL games and reached the playoffs in all but three seasons coached. Babcock previously won a Stanley Cup, two Olympic gold medals, an IIHF Men's World Championship and the World Cup of Hockey. Some former players have recently described his coaching style as bullying.

The objective is for Babcock to guide the club to its first Stanley Cup since 1990 and help retain McDavid, who signed a two-year extension that begins after the 2027-28 season.