Oilers Reportedly Checking in With NHLPA Over Hiring Mike Babcock as New Head Coach Has Fans Losing It: “Get McDavid out of EDM”

Mike Babcock last coached a team in the NHL in 2019, when he was the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Oilers Reportedly Checking in With NHLPA Over Hiring Mike Babcock as New Head Coach Has Fans Losing It: “Get McDavid out of EDM”

Mike Babcock (Image via Imago)

The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly consulting the NHL Players Association (NHLPA) over signing Mike Babcock as their new head coach. Fans on social media were left stunned after the reports came out on Monday.

Last season, the Oilers were left heartbroken once again. After losing against the Florida Panthers in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, the Canadian side got a chance at revenge as the two sides faced off again in the final.

This time, the Oilers drew first blood and started the series with a win. In the end, the Panthers once again proved too strong for the Oilers. A 5-1 defeat in Game 6 secured back-to-back titles for the Panthers while the Oilers lost again.

Following successive final defeats, head coach Kris Knoblauch claimed that there was no silver lining for the Oilers. This season, they were hoping for the third time to be the charm.

Before the playoffs began, the Oilers knew they would not run into the Panthers again, as the two-time defending champions did not qualify for the postseason.

However, the Oilers’ joy was short-lived. They suffered a first-round exit against the Anaheim Ducks after losing 5-2 in Game 6.

A few days after this early elimination from the playoffs, the Oilers fired head coach Kris Knoblauch. The 47-year-old went 135-77-21 in three seasons and 31-22 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He had replaced Jay Woodcraft, who was fired in November 2023 after a 3-9-1 start.

According to reports from TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Oilers are now consulting the NHLPA over appointing Mike Babcock as their new head coach.

Babcock found himself under tremendous heat in 2023 after becoming the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was alleged to have invaded the privacy of players by going through their personal phones.

Following the investigation, he resigned from his position in September before even managing the team for one game. He has not coached a team in the NHL since he departed from the Toronto Maple Leafs in November 2019.

RELATED
“Melt the Ice” – AmCham Russia Plans USA-Russia Hockey Series in Moscow For USA’s 250th Anniversary

Social media reacts to reports of Oilers potentially hiring Mike Babcock

The Edmonton Oilers are in search of a new coach following the firing of Kris Knoblauch. According to reports, they have fixed their sights on Mike Babcock. They are currently checking in with the NHLPA and hoping to receive a green light regarding this.

Mike Babcock
Mike Babcock (Image via CBC)

NHL fans on X were left shocked with this. With the players’ phone privacy drama, there were very few who probably expected to hear his name on the list of potential coaches. One user on X wrote, “Get McDavid out of EDM,” while making their feelings known.

Check out that and some other reactions from X below:

Apart from the drama at the Blue Jackets, Babcock has also been accused of mistreating players. He once verbally assaulted Johan Franzen, whom he coached at the Detroit Red Wings. Franzen would have a mental breakdown and call him the worst person he had ever met.

Babcock was also blasted for his treatment of Mike Modano. He was healthy scratched by Babcock many times from the lineup. Modano finished his career with 1,499 appearances and fell 1 short of the 1,500 appearances milestone.

Despite this, Babcock also has some huge achievements in his name. He won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2008 and took them to the final once again in 2009. He even coached Team Canada to Olympic gold glory in 2010 and 2014.

RELATED
Raleigh Brought Up Carter Hart’s S*xual Assault Allegations With “A No is A No” Chants During Game 1

Mike Babcock reportedly has received support from Oilers leadership

Mike Babcock found his name trending on social media on Monday after reports claimed that the Edmonton Oilers were checking in with the NHLPA. As far as the team is concerned, the former Maple Leafs coach has received support from the Oilers’ leadership group.

Mike Babcock
Mike Babcock (Image via Imago)

In an appearance on SportsCentre, TSN insider Ryan Rishaug claimed that Babcock has “full-throated” support from the leadership group following their conversations with him.

So Mike Babcock met with the Oilers core leadership group of players, then my understanding is there’s full-throated support from that leadership group for the Oilers to go ahead and hire Babcock if they can.

Ryan Rishaug said regarding Mike Babcock

Right now, it is a waiting game. There could be more intense reactions from the fans if he is officially named the new head coach of the team.

For the time being, the fans have their attention towards the ongoing Stanley Cup Final. With a 5-4 2OT win, the Vegas Golden Knights currently lead the series 2-1 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Also Read: