Mike Babcock under scrutiny as NHLPA demands investigation before Oilers can hire him

The NHL Players’ Association has asked the NHL to conduct a full investigation into Mike Babcock’s departure from the Columbus Blue Jackets before the Edmonton Oilers can officially hire him as head coach, according to multiple reports.

The request centres on the circumstances surrounding Babcock’s resignation from Columbus in September 2023.

At the time, the NHL had planned to investigate allegations linked to player complaints, but the process reportedly stopped once Babcock stepped down.

According to sources cited in the report, the NHLPA now believes the investigation should be completed and conclusions reached before Babcock is cleared to return behind an NHL bench.

Reports suggest the league is expected to grant the request and move forward with an investigation.

It remains unclear whether the investigation would formally prevent Edmonton from hiring Babcock during the process. However, reports indicate it would be difficult for the Oilers to proceed while a league review is pending.

Babcock has not coached in the NHL since being dismissed by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019. He was briefly hired by Columbus in 2023 but resigned before coaching a game after controversy surrounding allegations that he asked players to share personal phone photos with him.