Insider Says “Significant” Issue Likely To Surface In Babcock Investigation

What once appeared to be little more than a speed bump on the road back to the NHL for Mike Babcock may now be anything but. New details are emerging that suggest the NHL, as they conduct their investigation into his tenure in Columbus and why he ultimately resigned from the Columbus Blue Jackets, are going to find something significant.

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According to insider Frank Seravalli, new information has surfaced suggesting the situation that led to Babcock’s resignation in Columbus was far more serious than previously believed. This isn’t just about him looking at players’ private vacation pictures. While public discussion has largely focused on the now-infamous phone-related incident, sources indicate there was a separate issue—one described as “significant and serious.”

That distinction is likely to create much more than a speed bump. Seravalli noted, “Things are starting to percolate in a way that the tide is gonna be very difficult in my view for Babcock to swim against.” This comes after Elliiotte Friedman said on his 32 Thoughts podcast that he wasn’t confident the Oilers would go through with pursuing Babcock in light of the NHL’s investigation.

What Did Babcock Really Do?

Seravalli noted that Babcock stepped down knowing the situation was “untenable,” raising the possibility that a full NHL investigation—one that never happened at the time—is going to uncover something ugly. And, to be fair, one would think it would have to be more serious than asking players to share photos on their phones, as weird as that is.

While avoiding speculation about what Babcock might have done that made everyone want the 2023 investigation to go away, it was then pondered why Babcock would put himself in a position where that information could now come to light. He wondered if this was just about pride or stubbornness. Does Babcock feel like enough time has passed that this won’t be a problem?

Either way, whatever this is that Babcock swept under the rug by leaving his position in Columbus, triggering this new investigation, is likely going to make things public, thus directly impacting the Edmonton Oilers, who have been linked to Babcock in recent coaching speculation.

The narrative could start to shift. If this is really bad, questions like ‘Did the Oilers know?’ or ‘Did Babcock try to hide it from Edmonton?’ will surface. Either way, it could leave the Oilers with egg on their face, looking more foolish and desperate than some already suggest they look.

“The fact that we need an investigation to determine eligibility,” Seravalli said, “you would think would give any organization pause.”

With pressure mounting and new details emerging, what once looked like a potential hire could quickly become a non-starter—depending on what an investigation uncovers.

Next: Oilers Big Fear Related to Babcock Hiring Has Happened