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The Edmonton Oilers have named Mike Babcock as their head coach, the club announced Tuesday.
The hire comes days after the NHL cleared Babcock to return to coaching following a league investigation into conduct during his brief tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Babcock, 63, resigned from Columbus in September 2023 before coaching a single game after drawing public criticism for requesting access to players' personal phone photos.
The NHL Players' Association sought an investigation upon learning the Oilers were pursuing him.
"The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock's tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith," the NHL said in a statement last week.
"Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favorable to Mr.
Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment to the League." The NHLPA acknowledged finding the allegations "very concerning" but said it expects Babcock "will uphold the high standards required of NHL coaches." Sources told ESPN that Edmonton's core leadership group was consulted and provided input to management ahead of the decision.
The Oilers originally pursued Bruce Cassidy before pivoting to Babcock.
The Vegas Golden Knights declined to grant their divisional rival permission to interview Cassidy, who remains under contract through next season.
Babcock replaces Kris Knoblauch, dismissed roughly five weeks ago after back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 2024 and 2025.
The Oilers dropped out in the first round this past season.
Former players have raised concerns about Babcock's methods.
Retired defenseman Mike Commodore was direct in his criticism.
"I don't want to hear another word about how important mental health is for us when you literally just paved the way, cleared the way for Mike Babcock to get another opportunity in the NHL and put him in another position of power where he can abuse people," said Commodore on the "Clearing the Crease" podcast.
Daniel Winnik, who played under Babcock in Toronto, was equally blunt.
"I just hated coming to the rink," said Winnik on TSN 1050 Radio.
"He's just a bully." Babcock has won 700 NHL games across stints with the then-Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, including a Stanley Cup title with Detroit in 2008.
The Oilers also announced the hiring of D.J.
Smith as an assistant coach.
Smith most recently served as interim head coach of the Los Angeles Kings.