Sources: Oilers close in on deal to hire Babcock
Key takeaways
- The Edmonton Oilers are closing in on Mike Babcock as their next head coach, multiple sources confirmed to ESPN.
- Babcock and the Oilers have been in talks to have him succeed Kris Knoblauch behind the bench.
- Babcock was last hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 but never ended up coaching a game with the franchise.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The Edmonton Oilers are closing in on Mike Babcock as their next head coach, multiple sources confirmed to ESPN.
Babcock and the Oilers have been in talks to have him succeed Kris Knoblauch behind the bench. The 63-year-old, who won a Stanley Cup in 2008 with the Detroit Red Wings, is 12th all-time in career wins by an NHL coach (700).
Babcock was last hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 but never ended up coaching a game with the franchise. He resigned after an NHLPA investigation into claims that he violated players' privacy when he asked to see photos on their cellphones. The NHLPA shared its findings with the NHL, who shared them with Blue Jackets management. Team president John Davidson said "we got it wrong" in hiring Babcock.