Mike Babcock Emerges as Wild Card Agent for Oilers – Hockey Writers –

The Edmonton Oilers coaching search continues to get more interesting by the day.

While much of the focus has been on former Vegas Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy, the Oilers may be forced to carefully evaluate other options as Vegas continues to block teams from talking to Cassidy while he is still under contract. That process appears to be already underway.

According to reports and speculation surrounding the organization, Edmonton has continued to pursue other veteran coaches, including rumored pursuits of Craig Berube and Peter Laviolette. Now, another surprising name has entered the conversation: Mike Babcock.

The possibilities were revealed during a recent episode of Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer and former NHL executive and player agent Brian Lawton. While no official link has been reported between Babcock and the Oilers, the fact that the conversation happened publicly on Edmonton’s main hockey radio station is enough to raise eyebrows.

The Oilers continue to wait on the Bruce Cassidy Situation

At the center of it all remains Cassidy. Vegas manager Kelly McCrimmon spoke about the situation publicly, saying, “Regarding Bruce Cassidy, the teams have asked for permission to speak with Bruce. We’ve been consistent that right now our focus is on the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the teams have respected that. I’ve talked to Bruce, and he understands this.”

That statement did not specify when the Golden Knights would allow Cassidy to negotiate elsewhere. For Edmonton, the situation has become difficult following the decision to leave Kris Knoblauch after a disappointing season that ended up getting out of the first round despite the expectations of the Stanley Cup. With the cap space now officially open, the Oilers appear to be zeroing in on Cassidy as a top target. However, Vegas continuing to block teams from talking to him has forced Edmonton to explore multiple backup options while waiting for Cassidy’s availability to be clarified.

That uncertainty is why the Oilers appear to be exploring every possibility behind the scenes.

Could Mike Babcock Be a Serious Option?

During the Oilers Now segment, Lawton suggested that if Cassidy really wants to leave Vegas immediately, he might opt ​​out of the remaining year on his contract. “I’m sure if somebody called a team like Vegas or somebody and said, ‘Look, I’m just going to terminate my contract,’ they would let them talk to whoever they want,” Lawton said.

When Stauffer asked if Vegas would really allow that to happen, Lawton replied, “I agree.

However, the conversation eventually turned to other interns if Cassidy wasn’t available — and that’s when Babcock’s name came up.

Stauffer has touted Babcock alongside veteran coaches like Laviolette and Berube as back-to-back options for Edmonton. Lawton didn’t dismiss the idea either. “I would think so,” Lawton said when asked if Babcock could be considered an option. “I would think someone with Stan’s (Oilers GM Stan Bowman) background should have a lot of thoughts on that.”

That comment is important when you consider that Bowman and Babcock have a long relationship dating back to their time with Hockey Canada and the Detroit Red Wings organization.

Stan Bowman’s Connection May Matter

One of the biggest reasons why Babcock’s name can’t be cleared so quickly is because of Bowman himself.

Bowman already got a second chance at hockey after resigning from the Chicago Blackhawks organization in 2021 following the outbreak of the Kyle Beach investigation. His eventual return to the NHL came with heavy scrutiny, but Edmonton ownership ultimately believed he deserved another chance.

Lawton mentioned that specifically during the interview. “(Stan) got a second chance. I don’t think that was necessary. I think Stan worked. I think he deserved a second chance. Can I say that about Mike? I know Mike, and I like him a lot. I think he’s a good guy.”

That quote feels relevant considering Babcock’s controversial exit from the Columbus Blue Jackets before the start of the 2023-24 season. Babcock resigned after allegations surfaced involving inappropriate requests for players to show their cell phone photos during meetings — a situation that quickly spiraled into another public relations disaster for the longtime coach.

Despite that controversy, there are still people around hockey who believe Babcock deserves another chance behind the NHL bench.

Why Babcock Could File a Complaint in Edmonton

From a pure hockey perspective, there is no denying Babcock’s CV. He won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2008, coached Canada to Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014, and spent years considered one of hockey’s elite bench managers.

An Oilers organization eager to maximize the window for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, experience is key. That’s part of the reason names like Cassidy, Berube, and Laviolette keep popping up. Edmonton doesn’t seem interested in gambling on an inexperienced coach after a season in which the team often looked inconsistent, misguided, and average for a long time.

Babcock will bring structure, accountability, and the voice of a veteran — qualities management may feel the program needs after success. There’s also the fact that if Cassidy is sidelined by Vegas for longer than expected, the Oilers may need immediate action before other coaching vacancies begin to fill the league.

The Social Backlash Can Be Massive

Still, hiring Babcock could quickly become one of the most controversial moves in recent NHL history. Even Lawton acknowledged how quickly reputations can change in today’s NHL environment. “I know this business can be brutal. One wrong word, one wrong communication with a player in today’s world is enough to set you back.”

That is ultimately the biggest challenge Edmonton would face. The Oilers are already under a lot of pressure after another disappointing season. Bringing in Babcock would create an immediate media firestorm and further scrutiny of the organization — especially given Bowman’s controversial return to the NHL. Ownership will need to decide whether the potential benefits of hockey outweigh the public relations risk.

TSN Insider Darren Dreger Provides Update on Babcock Rumors

Any growing speculation about Babcock may have been rekindled on Tuesday after TSN insider Darren Dreger revealed that he directly asked Babcock about coaching opportunities and between links to the Oilers’ vacancies.

“I asked Babcock this morning about the coaching outlook and speculation about the Oilers,” Dreger wrote on X. He said, ‘Dregs, I’m retired. I love it.’

The answer may pour cold water on the idea of ​​Babcock getting back behind the NHL bench, at least for now. Although his name has come up during interviews on Oilers Now alongside veteran coaches like Laviolette and Berube, Babcock’s comments suggest he may not be interested in returning to coaching.

Still, until the Oilers officially hire their next head coach, speculation about the names of experienced veterans is likely to disappear entirely — especially since Cassidy’s status in Vegas remains unresolved.

Cassidy remains a popular target

At this point, Cassidy still feels like Edmonton’s clear choice. He checks almost all the boxes the Oilers are looking for: Stanley Cup pedigree, defensive structure, accountability, and recent success coaching elite talent. But until Vegas loosens its grip, Edmonton can’t sit still.

That’s why conversations involving Laviolette, Berube, and Babcock’s potential potential are becoming increasingly relevant. Whether Babcock becomes a legitimate candidate or remains a speculative radio prospect remains to be seen. But the fact that his name is already floating around publicly suggests that the Oilers are preparing for all possible outcomes as what could be the biggest coaching search of the NHL offseason continues to unfold.