Report: Oilers in talks to hire Mike Babcock, pending NHLPA clearance

The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly preparing to hire former Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock as their next head coach, with the deal awaiting approval from the NHL Players’ Association, according to TSN reporter Darren Dreger as relayed by Yahoo Sports. The report frames the move as near, but not final, meaning formal clearance would still have to be completed before Babcock can officially assume the role.

For the Oilers, the timing suggests a coaching search that has moved quickly from exploration to selection. Edmonton is a franchise that has leaned on structure and experience throughout recent rebuilding and contention cycles, and the club’s decision to target a coach with Babcock’s track record indicates a preference for proven NHL systems and an established message in the dressing room.

Babcock’s history is a central part of why the report is drawing attention. He previously coached the Maple Leafs and left the NHL with controversy that followed his tenure, before briefly retiring from the league. Yahoo’s report characterizes that path as “controversial” and notes that he is now nearing a return, highlighting how the league’s current environment will be measured against his past.

A crucial detail in the reporting is the NHLPA approval requirement. In practical terms, the union clearance matters because it connects the hiring process to league labor rules, not only team preference. While teams can identify candidates and reach agreements internally, the NHLPA step is positioned here as the final hurdle, which helps explain why confirmation may lag even if both sides are largely aligned.

The Oilers’ choice also lands at a moment when coaching decisions around the league are often influenced by player relationships, communication style, and the ability to manage stars through long playoff runs. Edmonton’s roster is built to compete immediately, and a coaching hire carries ripple effects across everything from video habits and special teams usage to how players respond during high-pressure stretches.

Toronto’s connection is personal as well as symbolic. Babcock spent years as the Maple Leafs’ head coach and became one of the most recognizable NHL figures in that role, so his potential return to the league as an opponent’s coach adds an extra layer to the story. It also raises a question that will follow the hire through training camp and the first months of the season: whether a coaching reputation shaped by the Maple Leafs chapter can translate smoothly into an Oilers environment built around today’s competing priorities.

Until Edmonton and Babcock finalize the process, the report should be treated as a strong but still incomplete account. Fans and observers will want to watch for official confirmation from the team and whether the NHLPA approval is granted promptly, since that is portrayed as the decisive gate in this particular storyline. If the clearance comes through, Babcock’s next challenge will be demonstrating that his approach fits a modern NHL, not just that he can win support from management.