Mike Babcock Said He Was Retired. Now He's Talking To The Oilers And The NHLPA Is On High Alert.

Hold up, hockey fans! Just when you think you've seen it all, the Edmonton Oilers are making moves that have the entire league buzzing. Forget what you thought you knew, because reports are flying that longtime NHL coach Mike Babcock, who just last month said he was "retired and loving it," is now reportedly in serious talks to take over in Edmonton. You can't make this stuff up!

This isn't just a casual chat either. Multiple reports confirm the Oilers are deep in discussions, hot on the heels of firing Kris Knoblauch in May. But here's where it gets wild: TSN's Darren Dreger dropped the bombshell that the Oilers are even consulting with the NHL Players' Association to iron out potential objections. The NHLPA isn't talking, declining to comment on Dreger's report. That tells you everything about how sensitive this situation is. It’s a full-on, high-stakes drama, folks!

The Baggage Babcock Carries

If you're wondering why the NHLPA is involved, let's rewind. Babcock, 63, resigned as the Columbus Blue Jackets coach in September 2023, after less than three months. That abrupt exit came right after the NHLPA investigated allegations from the Spittin' Chiclets Podcast, claiming he asked players to share personal photos from their phones. Yikes. That’s a whole lot of controversy to bring into a new locker room, right?

Despite all that, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Babcock spoke directly with Oilers owner Daryl Katz and some key leadership members. Friedman indicated those talks were enough to squash internal objections. But don't pop the champagne just yet, because the NHL still has to give the final sign-off. It’s not a done deal until the league says so, and they're watching this one closely.

A Decorated Past, A Murky Present

Look, there's no denying Babcock's resume. The man is a coaching legend on paper, period. He's won a Stanley Cup, two Olympic gold medals, World Championship gold, world juniors gold, and the World Cup of Hockey. He's the only Triple Gold Club bench boss. He ranks 17th in games coached (1,301), 12th in regular season wins (700), and 13th in total wins (790). He's coached for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Detroit Red Wings, and Maple Leafs. The dude's got rings and a legacy, no doubt.

But here’s the kicker: Babcock hasn't coached a regular season NHL game since November 19, 2019, before the Maple Leafs replaced him. That's a long time out of the game! And now, Pierre LeBrun from TSN is even speculating that D.J. Smith, who coached with Babcock on the Maple Leafs from 2015-16 to 2018-19, could join the Oilers' staff if Babcock gets the gig. The Oilers are clearly trying to avoid another step back. GM Stan Bowman faces many challenges trying to win a Stanley Cup, and this coaching search is certainly one of them. What happens next? We're glued to our screens, waiting to see if Babcock makes this stunning comeback, and what it means for Edmonton!

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