The Edmonton Oilers are considering Mike Babcock for their head coach vacancy despite a controversial exit from the Columbus Blue Jackets. That had many in the league up in arms, and the union is doing something about it. The NHLPA has asked the league to investigate Babcock if the Oilers decide to hire him.
“The NHLPA has asked the NHL to move forward with an investigation into the allegations Mike Babcock invaded [players’] privacy during his time in Columbus,” Darren Dreger of TSN reported.
Babcock was hired by the Blue Jackets after he was let go by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was accused of cultivating a toxic work environment with Toronto and was let go. But Columbus took a chance, bringing in a Stanley Cup Champion to lead the way. Instead, he took players’ phones as part of a ‘team building exercise.’ He was fired before coaching a game.
Now, as the Oilers look to take advantage of Connor McDavid’s prime, they are considering Babcock. The NHLPA says they can’t complete the hire before the league looks further into the situation in Columbus.
The Oilers have not shied away from players and executives draped in controversy. Current general manager Stan Bowman was fired and suspended as a result of the Kyle Beach sexual assault scandal with the Chicago Blackhawks. Before that, they signed Evander Kane amid assault and gambling charges.
The Oilers are also trying to interview Bruce Cassidy, but the Vegas Golden Knights are not allowing it. The Knights fired Cassidy late in the regular season, replacing him with Tortorella. Because Cassidy’s contract has not expired, they can deny the interview request.
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