The Edmonton Oilers find themselves at a crossroads as the Vegas Golden Knights' playoff exit could make Bruce Cassidy available for interviews. This development throws the Oilers' coaching situation into further turmoil, especially given their recent public endorsement of Mike Babcock. Just last week, the organization—from ownership to management to players—expressed full support for Babcock, but the prospect of landing a coach of Cassidy's caliber might force a dramatic reversal.
Can the Oilers Punt Two Coaches in One Off-Season?
The idea of the Oilers essentially stumbling into Bruce Cassidy—what some might call a Mr. Magoo moment—is both amusing and plausible. But it raises a serious question: can a team dismiss two different head coaches in a single off-season? The Oilers already parted ways with their previous coach, and now Babcock's status is uncertain due to an ongoing NHL investigation into his conduct during his brief tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023.
Conflicting Reports on Babcock Investigation
There are mixed signals regarding the Mike Babcock investigation. Some sources suggest there is more to the story than just looking at players' phones, while others indicate he will be cleared. The players involved at the time may not want to revisit the issue. The most likely scenario is that the NHL will green-light Babcock soon. It remains suspicious that Babcock resigned in Columbus before the league even launched an investigation, but if the Oilers are fully aware of the details and are comfortable, it likely isn't a severe transgression.
The Oilers have presumably done their due diligence—contacting the NHLPA to learn about its initial findings and speaking with former Blue Jackets personnel like John Davidson and Jarmo Kekalainen. If they remain confident, the issue may be limited to the creepiness of a 60-year-old coach wanting to scroll through private photos, and Babcock will be cleared to coach.
Potential Fallout if Investigation Goes Wrong
However, if the investigation takes a negative turn and Commissioner Gary Bettman bans Babcock from the league, the Oilers will face a dire situation. It would either mean they failed to properly investigate Babcock's past or they were aware of a transgression that the NHL deems worthy of banishment. Either scenario would severely damage the reputations of those involved in the hiring process.
Darnell Nurse Trade Request
In other Oilers news, defenseman Darnell Nurse has reportedly agreed to a trade. Nurse had a successful tenure in Edmonton, but circumstances made staying untenable. He has always bet on himself, signing value bridge deals under Peter Chiarelli and Ken Holland to increase his worth. Now he looks to prove himself in a new market and start a new chapter.
Comparison to Other Coaches
Some have argued that while Babcock is hated, coaches like John Tortorella or Peter Laviolette also employ old-school, hard-line tactics without similar backlash. However, the situations are not comparable. Laviolette never had to resign in shame before holding a practice, and Tortorella has never been investigated by the NHL and NHLPA. Babcock's behavior goes beyond old-school coaching; it crosses a line into unacceptable treatment of players.
The coming weeks will be critical for the Oilers as they navigate the coaching carousel and potential roster changes.
