Oilers Weigh Babcock Return Seven Years After Leafs Exit

The Edmonton Oilers are consulting the NHL Players’ Association about potential objections before hiring Mike Babcock, whose last NHL game came in November 2019.

Babcock’s Record Sets High Bar

Mike Babcock coached 18 NHL seasons across Anaheim, Detroit and Toronto, missing the playoffs only four times. His Detroit teams reached the postseason every year from 2005 to 2015 and captured the 2008 Stanley Cup. Those 13 playoff appearances place him among the most consistent coaches of his era.

Babcock also secured Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014 plus a World Championship title, becoming the only coach in the Triple Gold Club. The Oilers’ current roster, featuring Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, would represent his first NHL head-coaching opportunity since resigning from Columbus before the 2023-24 season.

Past Controversies Prompt NHLPA Review

Reports indicate Oilers officials have spoken directly with Babcock in recent days. The league’s players’ association review stems from allegations that surfaced during his Toronto tenure, leading to his 2019 dismissal. Babcock has not coached an NHL game in the intervening 2,400 days.

This consultation marks a formal step not required for most candidates. League sources confirm Darren Dreger first reported the interest on June 8, 2026. The process contrasts with quicker hires such as Kris Knoblauch’s 2023 appointment after Jay Woodcroft’s dismissal.

Oilers Context Mirrors Earlier Rebuilds

Edmonton finished the 2025-26 season with a first-round playoff exit, extending a pattern of early postseason departures despite elite talent. Hiring Babcock would echo the organization’s 2010s attempts to pair star power with veteran coaching discipline, similar to the 2008 Detroit blueprint that delivered a championship.

The cap space and roster core remain stable entering free agency, allowing focus on the bench rather than roster overhaul. Historical precedent shows Babcock’s systems produced strong regular-season results but required adaptation to modern player dynamics.