Appeal of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl "diminished" by Mike Babcock hire

The Edmonton Oilers' interest in hiring Mike Babcock as their next head coach is creating a problem the team may not have expected. It could be making Edmonton a harder sell to outside talent, even with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the roster.

This week, Oilers insider Jason Gregor reached out to an NHL player agent to get a read on the coaching rumor, and the response he got back lays out the concern plainly.

The agent texted Gregor that "the opportunity to play with McDavid or Draisaitl is diminished with the potential to be coached by Babcock," adding that it's "a valid concern voiced to me by a few of my clients."

Gregor made clear this wasn't a one-off opinion. Broadcaster Dan Tencer followed up with more detail on just how widespread the unease is among representatives for players already on Edmonton's roster. Tencer reported that several agents of Edmonton players who weren't part of the direct conversations with Babcock also voiced concerns of their own, adding that they didn't like the idea of clients being traded there either.

The NHL has officially opened an investigation on Mike Babcock

The bigger story behind all of this is that the NHL has officially opened an investigation into Babcock's 2023 resignation from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Elliotte Friedman reported the news, noting that the league waited until after the Stanley Cup Final to begin.

Babcock resigned from Columbus in September 2023 without ever coaching a regular-season game, after the NHLPA looked into claims that he asked players to show him photos on their phones. At the time, the matter was treated as resolved once he stepped down. Friedman has since reported that there were apparently other concerns beyond the phone issue, including at least one additional conversation that raised red flags.

"There were reports of issues beyond looking at players’ phones that got Babcock into trouble in Columbus; sources indicate there was at least one other conversation that caused concern," Friedman said on Sportsnet.

The investigation is meant to settle two things. First, how serious Babcock's conduct in Columbus actually was, and whether the NHL needs to apply any further consequence before deciding if he is free to be hired again.

There are some complications already. A number of former Blue Jackets players and staff have reportedly told the league they do not want to revisit what happened three years ago and would rather not be involved.

So where do the Oilers stand

Reports indicate Edmonton appears willing to wait for the investigation to conclude before making a final call. That does not necessarily mean a hire is coming once it wraps up. If the process drags on, or if player pushback grows, including from free agents who might simply avoid Edmonton as a destination, the team may decide the cost is too high.

The Oilers fired head coach Kris Knoblauch and assistant Mark Stuart after a Western Conference Semifinal loss to the Anaheim Ducks, despite Knoblauch having led the team to the Stanley Cup Final in each of the prior two seasons. Babcock was reportedly one of two finalists for the job, with Peter Laviolette being the other before he was hired by the Los Angeles Kings instead.

NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh has pushed back on the idea that this is a players-driven issue, saying publicly that hiring a coach is a decision for the general manager, team president and ownership, not the players themselves.

For now, the situation is in limbo. The investigation is underway and the Oilers have a decision to make once the league finishes its review.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow