EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers hired Mike Babcock as head coach on Tuesday. The move followed the NHL clearing Babcock for employment after an investigation into his 2023 tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The NHL stated in a release, "The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock's tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith. Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the League." The league initiated the review after the players' union requested an examination of Babcock's departure from Columbus when the Oilers' interest became public.

Babcock stepped down from his position with the Blue Jackets in September 2023, prior to the start of training camp. He had been hired by Columbus on July 1, 2023. Reports indicated that during his time with the Blue Jackets, Babcock requested personal photos from players. Babcock has not coached an NHL game since the Toronto Maple Leafs fired him 23 games into the 2019-20 season.

Retired defenseman Mike Commodore addressed the NHL's decision in a podcast interview. "I don't want to hear another word about how important mental health is for us when you literally just paved the way, cleared the way for Mike Babcock to get another opportunity in the NHL and put him in another position of power where he can abuse people," Commodore said. Former player Daniel Winnik commented on TSN 1050 radio, stating, "He's just a bully." Winnik also said, "I just hated coming to the rink."

A former player under Babcock told a Swedish outlet that Babcock was the worst person he had ever met and that he was terrified to go to the rink at one point during his time playing for the coach. During his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Babcock asked player Mitch Marner to rank his teammates based on work ethic and shared the results with the team.

In related news, D.J. Smith was named an associate coach for the Edmonton Oilers. Smith previously served as an assistant under Babcock in Toronto. Kris Knoblauch was fired as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers on May 14.