| Mike Babcock [message #852561] |
Mon, 15 June 2026 14:15  |
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 Kr55
Messages: 12966
Registered: May 2002
Location: Edmonton
6 Cups
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Figure this man needs his own thread
Since the league put the ball in our court to show our seriousness about hiring him before officially starting their investigation, I guess this is a clear sign we REALLY want Babcock to coach our team:
Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
NHL to officially begin investigation in to Mike Babcock’s 2023 Columbus resignation.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/nhl-officially-opens-mi ke-babcock-investigation/
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One of the initial challenges here is that some Blue Jackets players and staff members from back then initially indicated they had no desire to re-live what happened three years ago and didn’t want to participate. So we will see how the investigation handles that, or if anyone moves past that reluctance.
Several agents of Edmonton players who were not involved the in direct conversations with Babcock also voiced concerns, adding they didn’t like the idea of clients being traded there, either.
The Oilers appear willing to wait to see the conclusions of this investigation before ruling out Babcock as a contender. Now that the playoffs are over, there is also Vegas’s decision on Cassidy. Will they grant permission for the Oilers, or anyone else, to talk to him?
Right now, the only other opening is Toronto.
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Lots of media speculation that Katz is the driving force behind wanting Babcock, which makes perfect sense really. Katz's time hanging out with Kevin Lowe and the Olympic Hockey Canada crews in the 2000's has been the inspiration of many of our management hires since Katz bought the team. Babcock was the star coach of that period. Really, Katz's entire time as owner has been chasing the shadow of the 2010/2014 Canada Olympic teams. Nicholson, Lowe, Holland, Chiarelli, Tambo. We've almost collected the whole set, just the coach left. Yzerman and Armstrong the only guys missing, but doubt they shake loose for Katz.
[Updated on: Mon, 15 June 2026 16:51]
"We need to get better immediately. That starts today"
- Lowe, 2013
"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"
- MacT, 2015
5 x $5,000,000
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nullterm
Messages: 1208
Registered: July 2007
Location: Port Moody, BC
1 Cup
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So Babcock actually emotionally scarred people from what he was doing, and some Oilers are "yeah, we want some of that!" and others are looking for the door.
Grrrrrrreeeeeeaaaat.
Illegitimi non carborundum.
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mightyreasoner
Messages: 576
Registered: October 2005
Location: Edmonton
No Cups
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What a colossal failure for this organization to be exploring this path:
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Several agents of Edmonton players who were not involved in the direct conversations with Babcock also voiced concerns, adding they didn’t like the idea of clients being traded there, either,” writes Friedman
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“The union, in particular, reacted negatively, and there were multiple conversations where it voiced objection,” Friedman continued.
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https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-player-agents-concerned -as-nhl-begins-babcock-investigation
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Analyst Jason Gregor also highlighted the growing unease. He shared a text from an NHL player agent, who said, “The opportunity to play with McDavid or Draisaitl is diminished with the potential to be coached by Babcock. It is a valid concern voiced to me by a few of my clients.”
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https://x.com/JasonGregor/status/2066658740489863389
Like, what are they doing? As if it isn't hard enough to get players to come here. And when you have no pipeline of talent in your system, free agency is you only lifeline to revamping your roster. What a joke of a franchise.
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HamBlaster
Messages: 1416
Registered: June 2007
1 Cup
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This has Katz's hands all over it. In no effing world would any GM or POHO bring in a guy with Bab's reputation. This literally makes no sense, and I can't see Bowman being THIS dumb. We want a coach with a great reputation, like Cooper, Bednar or Brind'Amour... and I get that those guys aren't available presently. But BABCOCK? JFC.
If they bring him onboard, this franchise is cooked for the next 10 years. No FAs, no pipeline, stars will want out... they'll be starting from scratch. Berube would be a better fit than Babcock, if you can't get Cassidy.
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nullterm
Messages: 1208
Registered: July 2007
Location: Port Moody, BC
1 Cup
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| HamBlaster wrote on Tue, 16 June 2026 09:37 |
This has Katz's hands all over it. In no effing world would any GM or POHO bring in a guy with Bab's reputation. This literally makes no sense, and I can't see Bowman being THIS dumb. We want a coach with a great reputation, like Cooper, Bednar or Brind'Amour... and I get that those guys aren't available presently. But BABCOCK? JFC.
If they bring him onboard, this franchise is cooked for the next 10 years. No FAs, no pipeline, stars will want out... they'll be starting from scratch. Berube would be a better fit than Babcock, if you can't get Cassidy.
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I honestly think Katz is so detached from reality atleast in hockey terms. He thinks just because he thinks it's a good idea he can edict and manifest it, but the track record ain't there. There's been stretches where the hockey club seems to slowly find some cohesion, and then all the sudden we get these earthshaking decisions that send everything sideways.
Like McDavid said, two years ago was the best Oilers team we've had in generations. And out of left field the man who was slowly putting pieces in place Holland is gone, replaced by player agent (w.t.f) JJ, who then brings in hockey outcast Bowman... seriously w.t.f. And from there we've bled the good mid/low tier NHLers that helped us be good to where we are two seasons later lucky if we make the playoffs.
Just like Babcock, the hockey world was done with Bowman, but for some unexplained reason the Oilers/Katz takes a shovel to the cemetary to open that sealed grave expecting gold.
Illegitimi non carborundum.
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mightyreasoner
Messages: 576
Registered: October 2005
Location: Edmonton
No Cups
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Fully expect Ingram, Kapanen, Murphy, and Roslovic to all sign elsewhere if this happens.
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AndersonRules
Messages: 100
Registered: April 2008
Location: Shawnee, Oklahoma (OKC ar...
No Cups
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fwiw, I don't think Roslovic is re-signing here no matter who the new coach is. He'll get a bigger long-term contract elsewhere. The other three will be the litmus test.
Gong show. Avoidable disaster. Insert other depressing moniker - this summer has gotten off to as bad a start as possible (with the exception that neither Florida nor Vegas won the Cup).
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 NZ Oiler Fan
Messages: 1644
Registered: October 2006
Location: Summerside, PEI
1 Cup
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If we're not getting Cassidy I'd reach out to Gallant. He was asked about coaching in Toronto, and he mentioned that he'd be interested in coaching a Canadian team, so presumably he's over his health scare that he had in Russia. I'd certainly take him over Babcock or Torts.
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Kr55
Messages: 12966
Registered: May 2002
Location: Edmonton
6 Cups
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| NZ Oiler Fan wrote on Thu, 18 June 2026 07:50 |
If we're not getting Cassidy I'd reach out to Gallant. He was asked about coaching in Toronto, and he mentioned that he'd be interested in coaching a Canadian team, so presumably he's over his health scare that he had in Russia. I'd certainly take him over Babcock or Torts.
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Think at the minimum Katz and his group want a coach that will be tough and demanding of players now. Knob was the ultimate pushover, country club style of coach. Right or wrong, they want a 180 degree swing from that. Galant is another "go have fun boys" kind of coach. Probably more likely we would get Berube than him.
"We need to get better immediately. That starts today"
- Lowe, 2013
"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"
- MacT, 2015
5 x $5,000,000
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Adam
Messages: 7780
Registered: August 2005
Location: Edmonton, AB
6 Cups
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| Kr55 wrote on Thu, 18 June 2026 08:15 |
| NZ Oiler Fan wrote on Thu, 18 June 2026 07:50 |
If we're not getting Cassidy I'd reach out to Gallant. He was asked about coaching in Toronto, and he mentioned that he'd be interested in coaching a Canadian team, so presumably he's over his health scare that he had in Russia. I'd certainly take him over Babcock or Torts.
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Think at the minimum Katz and his group want a coach that will be tough and demanding of players now. Knob was the ultimate pushover, country club style of coach. Right or wrong, they want a 180 degree swing from that. Galant is another "go have fun boys" kind of coach. Probably more likely we would get Berube than him.
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Have to think July 1 is difficult for the Oilers if even the spectre of Babcock is hanging over the team. They really have to get their act together here soon.
"Thinking that a bad team's best players are the reason the team is bad is the "Tambellini re-signing Lennart Petrell" of sports opinions." @Woodguy55
#FireBobbyNicks
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Dragon_Matt
Messages: 849
Registered: January 2009
Location: edmonton
No Cups
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Is Barry Trotz available
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oilfan94
Messages: 565
Registered: June 2006
Location: USA
No Cups
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| Dragon_Matt wrote on Thu, 18 June 2026 12:07 |
Is Barry Trotz available
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I didn't think Trotz wanted to coach anymore.
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Kr55
Messages: 12966
Registered: May 2002
Location: Edmonton
6 Cups
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Here we go
Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
NHL is clearing is Mike Babcock to coach the Edmonton Oilers.
They are free to hire him
"We need to get better immediately. That starts today"
- Lowe, 2013
"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"
- MacT, 2015
5 x $5,000,000
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Rocksteady
Messages: 660
Registered: March 2007
No Cups
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Fuuuuu..
I mean... what else can this tire fire of an organization do?
Bullying is okay I guess and the optics are just perfect.
The very definition of insanity is doing the exact same thing expecting different results.
Generally Disappointed.
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Adam
Messages: 7780
Registered: August 2005
Location: Edmonton, AB
6 Cups
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| Rocksteady wrote on Thu, 18 June 2026 10:56 |
Fuuuuu..
I mean... what else can this tire fire of an organization do?
Bullying is okay I guess and the optics are just perfect.
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Good god. We couldn’t even be saved by the PA. Maybe the team has had the sense to listen as agents have said how much they don’t want their players subjected to that clown and former players talked about what an awful person he is and maybe the team will be smart and go a different route.
But I doubt it.
"Thinking that a bad team's best players are the reason the team is bad is the "Tambellini re-signing Lennart Petrell" of sports opinions." @Woodguy55
#FireBobbyNicks
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Kr55
Messages: 12966
Registered: May 2002
Location: Edmonton
6 Cups
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| Adam wrote on Thu, 18 June 2026 11:06 |
| Rocksteady wrote on Thu, 18 June 2026 10:56 |
Fuuuuu..
I mean... what else can this tire fire of an organization do?
Bullying is okay I guess and the optics are just perfect.
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Good god. We couldn’t even be saved by the PA. Maybe the team has had the sense to listen as agents have said how much they don’t want their players subjected to that clown and former players talked about what an awful person he is and maybe the team will be smart and go a different route.
But I doubt it.
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Lots of talk about how Katz was super angry about how this season went. If Katz has been hellbent on a coach that will be hard on players and hold them accountable, I guess this means that Katz has decided to blame the players for how the year went, and Knob for being too easy on them.
Katz probably has learned absolutely nothing from his >decade of terrible management hires.
"We need to get better immediately. That starts today"
- Lowe, 2013
"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"
- MacT, 2015
5 x $5,000,000
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Kr55
Messages: 12966
Registered: May 2002
Location: Edmonton
6 Cups
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NHL statement:
NHL News @PuckReportNHL
NHL STATEMENT ON MIKE BABCOCK
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.
Some speculation that Laine was the source of some of the big complaints that were never made public. No doubt Laine is the kind of player/personality that Babcock would rip into mercilessly.
"We need to get better immediately. That starts today"
- Lowe, 2013
"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"
- MacT, 2015
5 x $5,000,000
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tardigrade81
Messages: 4520
Registered: November 2022
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan
4 Cups
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Like I have said many times before. He is coming to Edmonton, whether people like it or not. Not too sure what to expect from him. I don’t even think I like him personally, but I just hope he is the guy that can finally win us a Stanley Cup.
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Kr55
Messages: 12966
Registered: May 2002
Location: Edmonton
6 Cups
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NHLPA statement:
"We need to get better immediately. That starts today"
- Lowe, 2013
"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"
- MacT, 2015
5 x $5,000,000
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inverno76
Messages: 2587
Registered: September 2005
Location: Prince Albert, Saskatchew...
2 Cups
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Translation: We in no way endorse this coach, but legally, we cannot stop him from working.
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