Following investigation, NHL clears Mike Babcock to return to coaching

The NHL has completed its review of Mike Babcock's short tenure as Columbus coach in 2023, which ended before the season started.

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Published Jun 18, 2026  •  3 minute read

Former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock takes in the warm-up prior to a game against the Boston Bruins in 2019. Getty Images

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Mike Babcock, you’re free to return to coach in the National Hockey League.

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The NHL said as much in a terse statement released early on Thursday afternoon, following an investigation into Babcock’s short stint in 2023 as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith,” the NHL said. “Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favourable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the League.”

Soon after, the NHL Players’ Association released a statement: “While we found the allegations of Mike Babcock’s conduct as the Columbus Blue Jackets’ head coach very concerning, the League has decided that there is no current basis on which to restrict his employment.

“Moving forward, we expect that Mr. Babcock will uphold the high standards required of NHL head coaches.”

The Edmonton Oilers want Babcock to be their next coach and were in a holding pattern as the NHL investigated Babcock’s time in Columbus three years ago. Babcock resigned before coaching a game with the Blue Jackets following allegations of misconduct.

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Since Babcock was fired by the Maple Leafs in 2019, allegations of his mistreatment of players have grown. There was an incident involving Mitch Marner during the player’s NHL rookie season, when Babcock had Marner rank the Leafs’ work ethic and showed the list to other players.

What is Babcock’s history of poor player treatment?

When Babcock was with the Detroit Red Wings, there were allegations later levied by players such as Johan Franzen and Chris Chelios regarding his poor treatment of players.

The latest Babcock bullying story came on Thursday morning from former Leafs winger Daniel Winnik during an interview with TSN Radio.

During a NHL career that spanned 798 games with eight teams, Winnik played for Babcock during 2015-16, the latter’s first season behind the bench in Toronto.

“He’s the only guy that has ever made me hate hockey,” Winnik said. “I just hated coming to the rink. He’s just a bully.”

At one point, Winnik suffered a high ankle sprain. When he returned, that’s when he said what had been a good start under Babcock turned the other way.

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“I came back and I thought skating was my strongest attribute and I couldn’t skate,” Winnik said. “Wasn’t the same player. It cratered from there. He’s on me all the time. How he treats people is not great. That has been well-documented.”

Winnik was traded to the Washington Capitals later that season.

Is Jim Hiller not the right guy?

Winnik, meanwhile, had no issues with Jim Hiller when the new Leafs head coach was an assistant under Babcock in Toronto. It’s what happened with the Los Angeles Kings during Hiller’s recent tenure as head coach that had Winnik wondering.

“To me, that’s not the guy to coach this group,” Winnik said. “I don’t think you need another defensive-minded coach.

“You need someone who wants to play up-tempo, (implement a) scoring style and let your stars be stars.

“Jimmy’s style has proven it’s not that. (The Kings) were the best five-on-five defensive teams in the league, but they were one of the worst offensive teams. The Leafs just went through having a guy (Craig Berube) who wanted them to play defence, and it didn’t work.”

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