The NHL Declared 'No Current Basis To Restrict' Mike Babcock, And The Oilers Are Reportedly Circling

Alright, hockey fans, buckle up because the NHL just dropped a bombshell that's got the league buzzing, and honestly, it's a little wild. The National Hockey League issued a statement Thursday giving Mike Babcock the all-clear to return to coaching. Yes, *that* Mike Babcock. And get this: the Edmonton Oilers are reportedly already sniffing around to fill their coaching vacancy with the guy. Seriously? After everything?

The "Investigation" and a Green Light No One Saw Coming

So, the NHL says they've wrapped up their review of Babcock's super brief, super messy 2023 stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The official word, direct from the league, is this: "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." "No current basis?" That's a strong statement, especially when you remember the NHL Players' Association actually had to ask the league to investigate Babcock's time in Columbus *before* the Oilers could even think about moving forward. The guy, who's 63, was hired by the Blue Jackets on July 1, 2023, which would have been his first NHL head coaching gig since his run with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015-19. But nope, it all went sideways fast.

Cell Phones, Privacy, and a Reputation

Remember what went down? Back in September 2023, reports started flying that some players felt Babcock straight-up invaded their privacy. The story was he was asking to see their cellphone camera rolls during one-on-on

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e meetings. Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner and the late Johnny Gaudreau confirmed Babcock had indeed asked to see photos, but they insisted they weren't pressured and figured it was all about "getting to know one another." Babcock reportedly even showed players pictures from his own phone. But here's the kicker: younger players apparently felt really uncomfortable with his whole approach. Plus, let's be real, Babcock already had a reputation for controversial motivational tactics from his days with the Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings, where he coached from 2005-15. He ended up resigning on September 17, 2023, before the season even kicked off, so the NHL didn't even investigate these claims back then. Wild, right?

What This Means for the League, And Our Rivals

Now, with the NHL giving him the thumbs-up, where does that leave us? Babcock's got a career record of 700-418-164 (plus 19 ties) from his time with the then-Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002-04), the Red Wings, and the Maple Leafs. He even led Detroit to a Stanley Cup title in 2008. The dude has a winning pedigree, no doubt. But for a Kraken fan like me, the idea of him possibly landing with the Edmonton Oilers, one of our biggest rivals, is... unsettling. It's a huge question mark for the league. How will players react now that he's officially back in the coaching pool, especially after the uncomfortable feelings reported by younger guys? Keep your eyes peeled, hockey fans, because this story is far from over, and it could definitely shake things up in the Pacific. We'll be watching to see if our rivals actually pull the trigger on this controversial hire.

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