The Edmonton Oilers hire Mike Babcock as their new head coach, ending weeks of speculation about the team’s coaching vacancy. The team introduces him on Tuesday, with the hire described as Babcock coming out of retirement. At 63, he becomes the 19th head coach in Oilers franchise history.
Multiple reports say the NHL clears Babcock to work after reviewing his earlier coaching tenure in Columbus. The NHL investigation is prompted by the Oilers’ interest and was initiated at the request of the NHL Players’ Association. In its statement, the league says there is no basis to restrict Babcock’s employment, even in the least favorable light.
Babcock last coached in the NHL during the 2019–20 season and has been away from the league since then. The Oilers now task him with building a contender around stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who have not won a Stanley Cup. The team also names D.J. Smith as an associate coach. Reports also note Babcock replaces Kris Knoblauch, who was fired earlier in May.
