Mike Babcock Emerges as Wild Card Candidate for Oilers Vacancy

The Edmonton Oilers’ coaching search continues to grow more intriguing by the day.

While much of the focus remains on former Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy, the Oilers may be forced to seriously evaluate alternative options as Vegas continues blocking teams from speaking with Cassidy while he remains under contract. That process appears to already be underway.

According to reports and speculation surrounding the organization, Edmonton has continued doing its due diligence on other veteran coaching candidates, including rumoured interest in Craig Berube and Peter Laviolette. Now, another surprising name has entered the conversation: Mike Babcock.

The possibility was floated during a recent edition of Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer and former NHL executive and player agent Brian Lawton. While no official link has been reported between Babcock and the Oilers, the fact the discussion happened publicly on Edmonton’s biggest hockey radio platform is enough to raise eyebrows.

Oilers Continue Waiting on Bruce Cassidy Situation

At the center of everything remains Cassidy. Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon addressed the situation publicly, saying, “Regarding Bruce Cassidy, teams have asked for permission to speak with Bruce. We’ve been consistent that our focus currently is on the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the teams have respected that. I’ve spoken with Bruce, he understands this as well.”

That statement did little to clarify when, or if, the Golden Knights will allow Cassidy to interview elsewhere. For Edmonton, the situation has become increasingly complicated following the decision to move on from Kris Knoblauch after a disappointing season that ended in a first-round exit despite Stanley Cup expectations. With the vacancy now officially open, the Oilers appear focused on Cassidy as a top target. However, Vegas continuing to block teams from speaking with him has forced Edmonton to explore multiple backup options while they wait for clarity on Cassidy’s availability.

That uncertainty is why the Oilers appear to be exploring every possible alternative behind the scenes.

Could Mike Babcock Become a Serious Option?

During the Oilers Now segment, Lawton suggested that if Cassidy truly wanted to leave Vegas immediately, he could potentially terminate the remaining year on his contract. “I’m sure if somebody’s called up a team like Vegas or anybody else and said, ‘Look, I’ll just terminate my contract,’ then they’d let them talk to whoever they want,” Lawton said.

When Stauffer asked whether Vegas would realistically allow that to happen, Lawton responded, “I do. I can’t speak for Canadian law, but I can speak for American, and it’s very difficult to prevent someone from working. I think that would be a problem.”

However, the conversation eventually shifted toward alternative coaching candidates if Cassidy remains unavailable — and that is where Babcock’s name surfaced.

Stauffer openly mentioned Babcock alongside veteran coaches like Laviolette and Berube as possible fallback options for Edmonton. Lawton did not dismiss the idea either. “I would think so,” Lawton said when asked if Babcock could be viewed as an option. “I would think someone with (Oilers GM Stan Bowman) Stan’s background would certainly have to have a lot of thoughts about that.”

That comment is significant considering Bowman and Babcock have longstanding ties from their time with Hockey Canada and the Detroit Red Wings organization.

Stan Bowman Connection Could Matter

One of the biggest reasons Babcock’s name cannot immediately be dismissed is because of Bowman himself.

Bowman has already received a second chance in hockey after resigning from the Chicago Blackhawks organization in 2021 following the fallout from the Kyle Beach investigation. His eventual return to the NHL came with heavy scrutiny, but Edmonton ownership ultimately believed he deserved another opportunity.

Lawton referenced that directly during the interview. “(Stan) has gotten a second chance. I don’t think that was anything necessarily given. I think Stan worked at it. I think he deserved to get a second chance. Can I say that about Mike? I know Mike, and I really like him. I think he’s a good human being.”

That quote feels particularly relevant considering Babcock’s controversial exit from the Columbus Blue Jackets before the 2023-24 season even began. Babcock resigned after allegations surfaced involving inappropriate requests for players to show personal phone photos during meetings — a situation that quickly spiraled into another public relations disaster for the longtime coach.

Despite that controversy, there are still people around hockey who believe Babcock deserves another chance behind an NHL bench.

Why Babcock Could Appeal to Edmonton

From a pure hockey perspective, there is no denying Babcock’s résumé. He won a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2008, coached Canada to Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014, and spent years viewed as one of hockey’s elite bench bosses.

For an Oilers organization desperate to maximize the Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl window, experience matters. That is part of the reason names like Cassidy, Berube, and Laviolette continue surfacing. Edmonton does not appear interested in gambling on an inexperienced coach after a season where the team often looked inconsistent, undisciplined, and average for long stretches.

Babcock would bring structure, accountability, and a veteran voice — qualities management may feel this roster needs after underachieving. There is also the reality that if Cassidy remains blocked by Vegas longer than expected, the Oilers may need contingency plans quickly before other coaching vacancies around the league begin filling up.

The Public Backlash Would Be Massive

Still, hiring Babcock would immediately become one of the most controversial moves in recent NHL history. Even Lawton acknowledged how quickly reputations can shift in today’s NHL environment. “I know this business can be cruel. One wrong word, one wrong interaction with a player in today’s world is enough to set you back.”

That is ultimately the biggest hurdle Edmonton would face. The Oilers are already under enormous pressure after another disappointing playoff exit. Bringing in Babcock would instantly create a media storm and place even more scrutiny on the organization — particularly given Bowman’s own controversial path back into the NHL. Ownership would need to decide whether the potential hockey benefits outweigh the public relations risk.

TSN Insider Darren Dreger Provides Update on Babcock Rumours

Any growing speculation surrounding Babcock may have also taken a hit on Tuesday after TSN insider Darren Dreger revealed he directly asked Babcock about the possibility of coaching again amid links to the Oilers vacancy.

“I asked Babcock this morning about the idea of coaching again and the speculation around the Oilers,” Dreger posted on X. “He said, ‘Dregs, I’m retired. Loving it.’”

The response potentially pours cold water on the idea of Babcock returning behind an NHL bench, at least for now. While his name had surfaced during discussions on Oilers Now alongside veteran coaches like Laviolette and Berube, Babcock’s comments suggest he may not currently have interest in returning to coaching.

Still, until the Oilers officially hire their next head coach, speculation around experienced veteran names is unlikely to disappear entirely — especially with Cassidy’s situation in Vegas still unresolved.

Cassidy Still Remains the Preferred Target

At this point, Cassidy still feels like Edmonton’s clear top choice. He checks virtually every box the Oilers are looking for: Stanley Cup pedigree, defensive structure, accountability, and recent success coaching elite talent. But until Vegas loosens its grip on the situation, Edmonton cannot afford to sit still.

That is why conversations involving Laviolette, Berube, and now potentially Babcock are becoming increasingly relevant. Whether Babcock becomes a legitimate candidate or simply remains speculative radio discussion remains to be seen. But the fact his name is already being floated publicly suggests the Oilers are preparing for every possible outcome as what could become one of the biggest coaching searches of the NHL offseason continues unfolding.