- Chris Johnston says people close to the situation expect Mike Babcock to be cleared once the NHL probe wraps
- The Oilers core, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl included, has met with Babcock and is on board
- Read below for the latest on the investigation and what still stands in the way
Mike Babcock might have a path back to an NHL bench.
On the latest Chris Johnston Show, the insider said people who were close to the Babcock situation believe he will be allowed to work once the league finishes its investigation into his past conduct.
Johnston would not call it a done deal. He framed it as what his sources expect, not a ruling.
“A lot of people that I know, people that were right there and kind of have more sense of exactly what happened, think he’s going to be allowed to work,” Johnston said. “But, let’s not prejudge an investigation because perhaps there are some things that went on that I’m not sure about.”
Watch the full breakdown from the Chris Johnston Show:
Edmonton is the team waiting on the answer. Co-host Julian McKenzie said the Oilers leadership group, McDavid and Draisaitl included, has already spoken with Babcock and is on board with bringing him in.
One hurdle is still there. The NHLPA wants the investigation done before Babcock works again, and it runs past the 2023 cell phone story that ended his time in Columbus.
Frank Seravalli laid out what the union is sitting on:
Babcock resigned from the Blue Jackets in September 2023 before he coached a single regular season game there. He has not been behind an NHL bench since.
The union already pushed the Oilers to hold off on any hire until the probe closes.
Edmonton cannot put Babcock to work until the league shuts its file.
