Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 10
NHLPA Seeks Probe of Mike Babcock's 2023 Blue Jackets Stint as Oilers Weigh Hiring Him
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 10

NHLPA Seeks Probe of Mike Babcock's 2023 Blue Jackets Stint as Oilers Weigh Hiring Him

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 10

Summary

  • The NHL Players' Association asked the league to investigate Mike Babcock's 2023 Columbus Blue Jackets tenure if Edmonton moves toward hiring the Stanley Cup-winning coach.
  • No probe was opened when Babcock resigned before coaching a game in Columbus, after reports said he asked players to show him personal photos on their phones.
  • The review appears contingent on a real Oilers deal: there is no timeline, and no investigation would proceed if Babcock backs away from the job.
  • Edmonton's coaching search carries added weight because its next hire is seen as influential to Connor McDavid's long-term future, even as questions persist over whether Babcock fits the roster's deeper issues.

Insights

Is a coach known for player mistreatment the controversial key to a Stanley Cup for superstar Connor McDavid?
A player bet on his own team but will still play; has the line on sports integrity been erased?
With courts overruling the NCAA and a new federal mandate, who truly governs American college sports now?