Report: NHLPA in receipt of ‘significant’ additional claims not previously reported on Babcock in 2023
The Mike Babcock saga is ongoing, and there are reportedly more roadblocks to his return to the NHL.
According to Frank Seravalli, the NHL Players’ Association has in its grasp “significant” claims from its own investigation of Babcock back in 2023, though they weren’t publicly reported. Seravalli also stated that the claims were given to the NHL prior to his resignation as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, shortly before he even coached a game.
This has all come about after it was reported earlier this week that the Edmonton Oilers became interested in hiring the Stanley Cup-winning head coach, with the team consulting the NHLPA about the process. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the NHLPA has since requested that the NHL move forward with the investigation into Babcock’s invasion of players’ privacy during his short time with the Blue Jackets, which was stalled more than two seasons ago after Babcock stepped down from his role. Babcock hasn’t held a role in the NHL since.
Seravalli then reported that the PA had asked the league to delay the Oilers’ potential hiring of Babcock until the investigation was completed.
During training camp prior to the 2023-24 season, reports surfaced that Babcock had engaged in antics such as looking through players’ phones, which quickly drew the ire of fans and pundits alike. The allegations only added to the already unpopular decision of then-Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen to hire the man who was under scrutiny for how he treated players during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team he coached from 2015 to partway through the 2019-20 season.
After his firing from Toronto, stories came out about his abusive tactics, including an infamous story about asking rookie Mitch Marner to rank his teammates’ competitiveness. Former Detroit Red Wings Mike Commodore and Johan Franzen also came out and criticized the former Canada National Team head coach for how they were treated with Babcock in charge.
Even with his flaws, Babcock does have a winning resume. He has led teams to the Stanley Cup Final three times, winning a championship in 2008 with the Red Wings. He coached Canada to gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, as well as at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.