NHL clears – Mike Babcock has been cleared by an NHL investigation after the league reviewed his tenure in Columbus and related alleged conduct, leaving “no current basis” to restrict his employment. The decision could now put the Edmonton Oilers in a position to hire him
Mike Babcock’s path back to coaching has cleared another hurdle.
The NHL announced Thursday that it has completed its review of Babcock’s tenure in Columbus and certain alleged conduct linked to that period. In its statement. the league said the investigation found there is “no current basis to restrict his employment in the League. ” even under the “least favourable” view of the matter.
The former Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs coach. who is 63. was most recently tied to the league’s coaching carousel in Columbus. He resigned as coach of the Blue Jackets before the 2023 season. then returned for a regular-season game after being accused by Paul Bissonnette—an Spittin’ Chiclets podcaster and former NHLer—of improperly viewing players’ smartphones.
One of the most serious concerns, according to multiple sources, centered on a meeting that took place away from team facilities and involved “several minutes” of looking through a phone.
The NHL investigation itself was launched last week, and it was set in motion by a request from the NHLPA. That timing followed the Oilers making clear their interest in hiring Babcock as their next head coach.
Babcock’s history across the league is deep. He has coached 1,301 career regular-season games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks, with 164 post-season games also on his résumé. His biggest career milestone remains the Stanley Cup he won with Detroit in 2008.
With the league now saying there’s no current basis to restrict his employment, the practical question shifts quickly: whether Edmonton will move forward with the opportunity that has reopened after the NHL’s review.
Mike Babcock NHL investigation Edmonton Oilers Columbus Blue Jackets Toronto Maple Leafs Detroit Red Wings Anaheim Ducks Stanley Cup Paul Bissonnette NHLPA