The National Hockey League has cleared Mike Babcock to return to coaching following an investigation into his brief tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023. The league released a statement on Thursday afternoon, stating that there is no current basis to restrict his employment.
NHL Statement on Babcock
“The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith,” the NHL said. “Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favourable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the League.”
Shortly after, the NHL Players’ Association issued its own statement: “While we found the allegations of Mike Babcock’s conduct as the Columbus Blue Jackets’ head coach very concerning, the League has decided that there is no current basis on which to restrict his employment. Moving forward, we expect that Mr. Babcock will uphold the high standards required of NHL head coaches.”
Oilers Interested in Babcock
The Edmonton Oilers have been waiting for the investigation to conclude before hiring Babcock as their next head coach. Babcock resigned from the Blue Jackets in 2023 before coaching a game, following allegations of misconduct.
History of Player Treatment Allegations
Since being fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019, allegations of Babcock mistreating players have surfaced. One incident involved Mitch Marner during his rookie season, where Babcock had Marner rank teammates’ work ethic and then shared the list with the team.
During his time with the Detroit Red Wings, players like Johan Franzen and Chris Chelios later accused Babcock of poor treatment. Most recently, former Leafs winger Daniel Winnik spoke out on TSN Radio about his experience playing under Babcock in 2015-16.
“He’s the only guy that has ever made me hate hockey,” Winnik said. “I just hated coming to the rink. He’s just a bully.”
Winnik recalled suffering a high ankle sprain and, upon returning, felt his relationship with Babcock deteriorated. “I came back and I thought skating was my strongest attribute and I couldn’t skate,” Winnik said. “Wasn’t the same player. It cratered from there. He’s on me all the time. How he treats people is not great. That has been well-documented.”
Winnik was traded to the Washington Capitals later that season.
Winnik Questions Hiring of Jim Hiller
Winnik, who had no issues with Jim Hiller when Hiller was an assistant under Babcock with the Leafs, questioned the decision to hire Hiller as Toronto’s new head coach. He pointed to Hiller’s recent tenure with the Los Angeles Kings as a concern.
“To me, that’s not the guy to coach this group,” Winnik said. “I don’t think you need another defensive-minded coach. You need someone who wants to play up-tempo, (implement a) scoring style and let your stars be stars. Jimmy’s style has proven it’s not that. (The Kings) were the best five-on-five defensive teams in the league, but they were one of the worst offensive teams. The Leafs just went through having a guy (Craig Berube) who wanted them to play defence, and it didn’t work.”
