Ex-NHLer Rips Mike Babcock: “He’s Gotten Worse”

Mike Babcock was officially introduced as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, and as you would expect some of his comments have drawn plenty of attention around the hockey world.

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Babcock had a lot of interesting things to say, though none were more prevalent than his response — or lack thereof — to questions about what went on during his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He didn’t provide much detail nor take accountability for how it all unfolded.

That didn’t sit well with former NHLer Mike Commodore, who had multiple stints playing for Babcock during his career and has been notably critical of him, and he went as far as to say he believes Babcock’s arrogance and defiance have only gotten worse since stepping away from coaching.

Commodore said:

“As far as Mike Babcock, I can’t — it makes me sick to my stomach to look at that guy or listen to that guy. I can’t sit there and watch a press conference, but I did get the highlights. And I think I tell you what I think: the people that think he can change, I think they’re right — I think he’s changed, for the worse. Like I literally think this guy has gotten worse. I think he’s gotten more defiant, more arrogant. There wasn’t a hint of accountability.

He sat up there at the press conference and it was right back to talking about Mike Babcock, talking about Mike Babcock. I love Mike Babcock. You gotta be all in on Mike Babcock. Sitting there being like the Oilers are lucky he came back to coach,”

The 63-year-old Babcock last coached an NHL game during the 2019-20 season for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

There certainly wasn’t much accountability taken or any type of apology offered by Babcock, though that probably shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

This is who Babcock is, and always has been, and it will be fascinating to see how it all unfolds in Edmonton — for however long it lasts.

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