Oilers consult – After Peter Laviolette agreed to coach the Los Angeles Kings, the Edmonton Oilers reportedly pivoted quickly—consulting the NHL Players’ Association about potential objections tied to Mike Babcock, who resigned from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 amid alleg
When Peter Laviolette agreed to a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton lost one of its key coaching targets on Monday.
But the Oilers didn’t sit still. Darren Dreger reported that the organization is consulting with the NHL Players’ Association before potentially moving forward with Mike Babcock.
In Dreger’s report, “Sources: The Edmonton Oilers are consulting with the NHLPA to see if there are objections that must be resolved before potentially hiring Mike Babcock,” a process framed as due diligence while Edmonton evaluates options for a head coaching vacancy.
The reason for the extra step is clear. Dreger noted that Babcock resigned in Columbus in 2023 amid allegations of invading players’ privacy, involving his interactions with players and personal photos stored on their phones. The report adds that further investigation may be required.
Babcock’s NHL tenure with the Blue Jackets began in the summer of 2023. but it ended before he coached a game. The controversy ultimately ended his time in Columbus before it could truly start. and it left his name entangled in the same uncomfortable question the Oilers now have to answer: can he move forward without unresolved objections?.
The stakes became even more personal inside the organization later on. Former Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen acknowledged that hiring Babcock had been a mistake.
Edmonton’s situation is complicated by how accomplished Babcock has been across his career. Prior to Columbus, his last NHL coaching job came with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he was dismissed during the 2019-20 season.
Even with the recent controversy, Babcock still carries a decorated résumé. He guided the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup championship in 2008, reached two Stanley Cup Finals, and owns more than 700 regular-season victories behind an NHL bench.
He is also the only coach to achieve hockey’s Triple Gold distinction—winning a Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal, and an IIHF World Championship.
That combination is part of why the Oilers’ interest, even at this early stage, has the league watching closely. Whether the NHLPA consultation clears the way for Edmonton to move forward remains uncertain. but with the coaching search ongoing. Babcock has suddenly become a name worth monitoring as the organization weighs what it wants on the ice against what comes with the past.
Edmonton Oilers Mike Babcock NHLPA Peter Laviolette Los Angeles Kings Columbus Blue Jackets Jarmo Kekalainen privacy allegations NHL coaching vacancy
So they’re “consulting” like that makes it ok? Sounds like he’s still guilty to me.
Wait I thought Babcock resigned already, like why is Edmonton even thinking about it? Also privacy probe?? That’s pretty messed up for a coach.
Isn’t this just because of the photos thing? Like he had players’ pics on his phone and now they have to ask the NHLPA if it’s “resolved”…? Idk, seems like they could just hire someone else instead of playing paperwork roulette.
Honestly if he’s a “decorated” coach they’ll probably sweep it under the rug anyway. I saw something about the Blue Jackets GM saying it was a mistake, but that doesn’t mean the players are gonna care. Also who cares about the NHLPA, they’re always protecting themselves. If Edmonton wants wins, they’ll do it.