Mike Babcock Is Free to Coach After *That* Columbus Scandal, And The Oilers Are Coming For Him!

Kraken fans, get ready because the NHL just dropped news that's gonna have folks buzzing, especially up north. Mike Babcock, yeah, *that* Mike Babcock, has officially been cleared by the league to coach again. And get this, the Edmonton Oilers are reportedly looking to snag him! Our rivals in the Pacific might be getting a coach who won a Stanley Cup, but his last gig ended with a pretty wild exit.

Remember Columbus? The NHL Says It's All Good Now.

Let's rewind a sec. Why did Babcock leave the Columbus Blue Jackets back in September 2023, less than three months into his job? It was a whole mess about him asking players to look at personal photos on their phones. That criticism hit hard, and he resigned. The NHL Players' Association requested an investigation when rumors started flying about the Oilers' interest. The league ran its course, did a bunch of interviews, and now they've made their decision. The official statement from the NHL is clear: "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 restrict his employment in the League." Cleared.

Oilers Eyeing a Stanley Cup Winner, While Vegas Plays Hardball

With the NHL giving Babcock

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the green light, the path is wide open for him to jump back behind a bench. Sources are telling ESPN that the Oilers are absolutely planning to hire him. This isn't just some new coach either. The man's 63 years old, with 700 games coached under his belt with the Ducks, Red Wings, and Maple Leafs. He even hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008! That's a huge deal. Apparently, he's got support from several veteran players on the Oilers roster, which is wild considering his recent history. What's more, Babcock wasn't even Edmonton's first pick. Sources say they were initially chasing Bruce Cassidy, the current Vegas Golden Knights coach. But Vegas denied permission. Cassidy is under contract through next season, and a noncompete clause means he's stuck. So, the Oilers shifted gears, and now they're locked in on Babcock.

What's Next for the Oilers and the League?

This is a wild turn of events in the NHL coaching world. While it's not directly impacting our Kraken right now, a rival like the Oilers potentially getting a coach with Babcock's resume, even with the baggage, definitely makes you sit up and take notice. The next move from Edmonton will be huge, and the entire league will be watching. Will he bring that 2008 magic back to Alberta? Or will the past repeat itself? Either way, it's going to be interesting to watch as the league gears up. Keep an eye on this one, Seattle, because things just got a whole lot spicier.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.