Oilers hire Mike Babcock as head coach after NHL clearance
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 23, 2026, 3:12 PM
Last updated Jun 23, 2026
The Edmonton Oilers appointed Mike Babcock as their new head coach on June 23, 2026. This decision followed the NHL's investigation, which cleared Babcock of any violations related to his previous stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Babcock, a veteran coach with a history of guiding championship teams, is tasked with leading star players Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl toward a Stanley Cup. His hiring comes after the Oilers were unable to secure permission to interview Bruce Cassidy from the Vegas Golden Knights. Babcock has been out of coaching since 2019-20, amid controversy surrounding his coaching methods.
- •Babcock brings a wealth of coaching experience, including a Stanley Cup title in 2008.
- •He previously stepped down from the Blue Jackets before training camp in September 2023.
- •The NHL Players' Association reviewed his past actions but found no grounds for disqualification.
- •The Oilers were blocked from hiring Stanley Cup-winning coach Bruce Cassidy.
- •Babcock's overall coaching record includes 700 regular season and 90 playoff victories.
- 7:33 PMYahoo Sports — Oilers hire controversial former Blue Jackets coach Mike Babcock
- 3:12 PMYahoo Sports — Oilers hire Mike Babcock as coach after the NHL clears him following an investigation
"The Edmonton Oilers named Mike Babcock as their coach on Tuesday, hiring the polarizing taskmaster after the NHL cleared him last week following an investigation into his ill-fated 2023 stint in Columbus that ended without him working a game. Babcock is now in charge of trying to get Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl the Stanley Cup a decade into two of the best hockey players on the planet falling short of that elusive goal. Babcock also brings baggage.
"The Edmonton Oilers have a new coach after an investigation into former Blue Jackets coach Mike Babcock's tenure in Columbus cleared his return.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 23, 2026, 7:33 PMOilers hire controversial former Blue Jackets coach Mike Babcock
The Edmonton Oilers have a new coach after an investigation into former Blue Jackets coach Mike Babcock's tenure in Columbus cleared his return.
- Yahoo SportsJun 23, 2026, 3:12 PMOilers hire Mike Babcock as coach after the NHL clears him following an investigation
The Edmonton Oilers named Mike Babcock as their coach on Tuesday, hiring the polarizing taskmaster after the NHL cleared him last week following an investigation into his ill-fated 2023 stint in Columbus that ended without him working a game. Babcock is now in charge of trying to get Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl the Stanley Cup a decade into two of the best hockey players on the planet falling short of that elusive goal. Babcock also brings baggage.
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