Now it is confirmed – Edmonton’s blockbuster acquisition is public!
The Edmonton Oilers have appointed Mike Babcock as the new head coach of the team. At the same time, the organization announced that D.J. Smith will join the coaching staff as an assistant coach.
The 63-year-old Babcock is one of the most experienced coaches in the NHL. He has 700 regular season wins, 418 losses, and 183 ties from his long career. In the playoffs, he has 90 wins out of 164 games.
Babcock has previously coached teams such as the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and briefly the Columbus Blue Jackets. His most recent long-term NHL tenure was in Toronto from 2015 to 2019.
The Columbus position in 2023 ended before the start of the season due to a scandal, after which he left the role.
The NHL recently confirmed that Babcock is eligible to coach again in the league. According to the league, investigations related to previous events have been concluded, and there are no obstacles to hiring him.
In 2023, allegations also emerged in Columbus that he had asked players to show personal photos from their phones. This ultimately led to his departure before the start of the season.
Babcock’s career has also faced criticism for his demanding and tough coaching style. Some players have reported finding his methods challenging.
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