NHL makes official decision as more serious allegations surface as Mike Babcock eyes coaching comeback
Mike Babcock is back in the spotlight as the former head coach faces fresh pressure tied to his NHL comeback bid.
The latest report says Edmonton's interest in Babcock remains real, even as more claims linked to his 2023 exit from the Columbus Blue Jackets continue to surface.
That puts the Oilers in a tight spot.
This is no longer just about a coaching hire. It's about what comes with it, and what still hasn't fully gone away.
According to Sportsnet's Mark Spector, Babcock met with Oilers leadership and faced direct questions about his past conduct.
The key quote from that report is still the one that stands out most:
That line suggests Babcock still has support in an NHL room, at least from people who believe his style can still work behind the bench.
The Columbus fallout is back in play for Mike Babcock
At the same time, Frank Seravalli reported that the NHL now has what sources described as «significant» added claims tied to the events surrounding Babcock's resignation in Columbus.
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That matters because the original process never fully ran its course. Babcock stepped down before coaching a regular-season game for the Blue Jackets, and the review ended there.
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The NHL has also officially made its decision to move forward with the investigation requested by the NHLPA.
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The issue, as reported at the time, centered on allegations that he asked players to show personal photos from their phones.
That story drove the entire collapse of his return in Columbus.
Now the same cloud is hanging over Edmonton's decision.
And this time, the timing is even sharper with the Oilers pushing forward on a major bench call.
Babcock may still be viewed by some as a demanding, proven coach. But any team thinking about bringing him back has to weigh that against a controversy that still feels unfinished.
That's what makes this more than a comeback story. It's a test of how much risk a contender is willing to absorb for a coach with baggage that refuses to fade.
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YESTERDAY
JUNE 9, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Nikolaj Ehlers | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Jordan Staal | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Jackson Blake | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| William Karlsson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brett Howden | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Logan Stankoven | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Mark Stone | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Sebastian Aho | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Rasmus Andersson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jalen Chatfield | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Shayne Gostisbehere | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Taylor Hall | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mitch Marner | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Brayden McNabb | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Colton Sissons | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Shea Theodore | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | - | - | - | |
| Brandon Bussi | - | - | - | |
| William Carrier | - | - | - | |
| Dylan Coghlan | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||