Oilers' next steps with Mike Babcock revealed

The Edmonton Oilers are moving closer to having their next head coach.

And it's looking more and more like it'll be Mike Babcock.

The Oilers let Kris Knoblauch go after a loss in the first round of the playoffs to the Anaheim Ducks. With two years left on Connor McDavid's contract, Edmonton felt it couldn't waste any more time in trying to build a Stanley Cup winner.

Babcock has coached for the Ducks, Red Wings and Maple Leafs.

He was hired in 2023 to work for the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the NHL investigated him after Babcock resigned without coaching a game.

"He left the Blue Jackets less than three months into the job after his requests to look at personal photos from players' phones drew criticism," ESPN's Emily Kaplan wrote this week.

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The NHL's investigation of Babcock has been completed.

"The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock's tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith," the NHL said in a statement. "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 Oilers are now in position to get Babcock behind their bench.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported this on Thursday on X:

"Now that the league has cleared Mike Babcock, word is the Oilers will formally begin the process of hiring him — contract negotiations, etc.  Assuming no snags, timeline appears to be early next week."

Edmonton wanted Babcock all along, it appears, but needed to let this process play out. Now the Oilers can work toward finalizing a deal.

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• Cale Makar is about to become a lot more expensive
• Sabres have reached the Alex Tuch pivot point
• Sidney Crosby trade plans did a 180 for the Penguins