The Edmonton Oilers' coaching search has taken a dramatic twist.
The Oilers are talking with the NHLPA about the potential hire of veteran coach Mike Babcock, sources confirmed to Sportsnet on Monday.
TSN was first to report the news.
Babcock, 63, was last in the NHL prior to the 2023 season when he resigned as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets before coaching a regular-season game after Spittin’ Chiclets podcaster and former NHLer Paul Bissonnette accused him of improperly viewing players’ smartphones.
According to multiple sources, one of the most serious concerns was a meeting that occurred away from team facilities that included “several minutes” of looking through a phone.
Babcock has coached 1,301 career games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks.
He won the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008.
The Oilers fired coach Kris Knoblauch last month after losing in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Vegas Golden Knights also reportedly withheld permission from the Oilers to speak with Bruce Cassidy about their head-coaching vacancy earlier in May.
Cassidy was fired by the Golden Knights earlier this season, but remains under contract.
