Daniel Winnick warns Oilers against hiring Mike Babcock as coach
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 4:45 PM
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
Daniel Winnick, a former Toronto Maple Leafs player, voiced strong opposition to the Edmonton Oilers possibly hiring Mike Babcock. Appearing on First Up on June 18, Winnick described Babcock as a bully and advised the Oilers, led by Connor McDavid, to avoid making the hiring decision. Babcock has not coached since his brief term with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023, which ended amid controversy. The Oilers are searching for a new head coach after being eliminated in the first round of the 2026 playoffs and reportedly see Babcock as a leading candidate. The NHL completed its investigation into Babcock's conduct without finding grounds to restrict his employment.
- •Winnick says Babcock made him hate hockey.
- •Oilers seek to replace Kris Knoblauch after playoff exit.
- •Babcock is a leading candidate despite past controversies.
- •NHL investigation found no basis to restrict Babcock's employment.
- •Oilers face limited coaching options this offseason.
- 4:45 PMYahoo Sports — ’He’s A Bully’ — Ex-Maple Leafs Fan Favorite Warns Connor McDavid’s Oilers Against Hiring Mike Babcock
"The Edmonton Oilers are a true blue soap opera. This offseason was supposed to be about righting the wrongs of the 2026 playoffs, where injuries and roster construction played a major role in their getting booted out in the first round.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- IIHF•Jun 19, 2026, 4:27 PMJonathan Toews, 3-time Stanley Cup winner, retires after 16 NHL seasons
- NHL•Jun 19, 2026, 3:10 PMPhHN Daily: Flyers Draft Rankings; Raddysh Trade; Canucks Pushing Pettersson?
- IIHF•Jun 19, 2026, 3:00 PMWeird Islanders: The Podcast! – Episode 90 – Josh Ho-Sang
- NHL•Jun 19, 2026, 2:40 PM2026 NHL mock draft: Maple Leafs, Blackhawks add wingers for Auston Matthews, Connor Bedard; Sharks take No. 1 defenseman
- NHL•Jun 19, 2026, 2:01 PMMaple Leafs have made their Morgan Rielly decision very obvious
- NHL•Jun 19, 2026, 1:49 PMDarren Raddysh trade grades: Maple Leafs fill massive need, Lightning surprise with unexpected move
