The Edmonton Oilers hire Mike Babcock, bringing him back to the NHL after his last game as a head coach in November 2019. Multiple outlets also report that the Oilers are among five teams making coaching changes during the same period.
Babcock, 63, is presented as a veteran option for Edmonton as it looks to finally win a championship with stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The reports note that Babcock has not coached in the NHL since his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets, which ended before training camp. Yahoo Sports adds context that his departure from Columbus followed criticism related to requests for personal photos from players as part of a team-bonding effort.
Across coverage, the common focus is on Babcock’s return and Edmonton’s intent to maximize its core. The specific details of the other teams’ coaching moves are mentioned in broader terms rather than emphasized in the provided excerpts, with outlets aligning on the overall theme of multiple leadership changes.
