The Path to Approval
The Edmonton Oilers are moving forward with a plan to bring Mike Babcock back to the NHL as their next head coach, but the move is contingent on clearance from the NHL Players' Association and the green light of the team's roster.
Babcock, who steered the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015‑16 through 2019‑20, compiled a 173‑win record and added eight playoff victories, guiding the club to three straight third‑place finishes in the Atlantic Division.
His tenure was not without controversy; a public request for Mitch Marner to rank teammates by work ethic sparked a backlash, and he later stepped down from the Columbus Blue Jackets after privacy allegations surfaced.
In recent weeks the Oilers have held discussions with owner Daryl Katz and senior management, and they have consulted the NHLPA about any objections that might arise from the player base.
Player sentiment is viewed as the decisive factor, and there are indications that Babcock could be accompanied by former colleague D.J. Smith, a move that could reshape the team's coaching staff.
If the NHLPA gives its blessing, the hiring would mark a significant shift for a franchise that has been searching for stability, and it could set a precedent for how teams navigate coach‑player dynamics in the modern era.