Mike Babcock, cleared to return, is reportedly on the Edmonton Oilers’ radar

Mike Babcock’s path back to the NHL bench is reportedly reopening. On June 18, Yahoo Sports reported, citing NHL Insider Darren Dreger, that Babcock has been cleared to coach again and that the Edmonton Oilers are expected to pursue him for their staff. The report frames Edmonton as an interested party, not as a team that has publicly confirmed a hiring decision.

The coaching storyline starts with Columbus. According to the report, Babcock resigned as head coach of the Blue Jackets on September 17, 2023. That resignation marked the end of his Columbus tenure and left the question of what would come next in his career.

The new development, as described by Yahoo Sports, is the clearing aspect. The article’s wording indicates that Babcock is no longer blocked from coaching in the NHL, clearing the way for teams to evaluate him as they build out their coaching staffs. In other words, the issue is not whether he is associated with NHL coaching roles, but whether league or other conditions that previously limited his eligibility have been resolved.

The report also identifies the Oilers as the likely landing spot, again through Dreger’s reporting. The language in the Yahoo Sports item indicates Edmonton is expected to hire Babcock, while also indicating the decision would come after the clearance. For Oilers fans, the practical implication is straightforward: a high-profile name with a championship track record would be moving from the background of rumors into the center of a major team-building question.

Still, there is an important caveat. This is a report of expected interest and a potential hire, not a confirmation from the Oilers or the NHL in the information provided here. Until Edmonton makes a formal announcement, the most accurate way to treat the update is as a sign of direction, not final confirmation. In the NHL, coaching staffing can move quickly, but final dates and roles often remain in flux until teams complete internal reviews and signoffs.

If the Oilers do move in that direction, the broader significance would be on multiple fronts. First, it would reshape the coaching profile Edmonton is assembling for the next chapter of its run, especially given how quickly playoff expectations can tighten the margin for a staff. Second, it would put the spotlight on how quickly the league’s coaching ecosystem absorbs previously sidelined figures once clearance occurs. And for other teams, it would be a report that Babcock, as a cleared candidate, could be considered when making strategic choices about systems, player development, and in-game decision-making.

For now, the next watch is simple: whether Edmonton confirms an agreement and, if so, what specific coaching role Babcock would occupy. The clearer the designation and the timing, the easier it becomes to judge how seriously the Oilers view the fit. Absent a public announcement, the report remains a strong indicator of interest but not a finalized transaction.