Oilers Still Have Problem Despite No “Smoking Gun” in Babcock Investigation

During a recent episode of Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer, former NHL GM and player agent Brian Lawton, said he is among the many insiders starting to believe the investigation into Mike Babcock by the NHL won’t take long. He also believes that the league hasn’t found anything that would keep Babcock from becoming the next head coach of the Edmonton Oilers.

---

“On Mike Babcock every time I do a radio interview, I say the same thing: ‘Show me the smoking gun.’ Where is it? What is it? I’ve heard a lot of talk about it… I’ve called many of the people involved with that myself, and I have not been able to find anything. That doesn’t mean there’s something there, but time is of the essence.”

Over the past few days, Lawton, Elliotte Friedman, Darren Dreger, Chris Johnston, David Pagnotta, and Jeff Marek all believe this investigation won’t drag out. Most are also reporting that there’s nothing so bad that the league will choose to block Babcock from working again. Frank Seravalli is among the few who aren’t convinced.

While Babcock is certainly guilty of bad judgment and his treatment of players was certainly questionable, Lawton notes, “You know, in America, you’re supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. It’s not what somebody said may have happened or this happened — and I’ve heard everything on this.” Bullying or wielding your power as an authority figure isn’t good, but, so far, Babcock has not been pegged to have done anything illegal.

Lawton adds, “If you did something wrong, you did something wrong, and, you know, I just think it would have surfaced at this stage, but I could be wrong and we’ll find out.”

Have the Oilers Found Their Next Head Coach?

The Oilers are the last team yet to fill their head coaching vacancy. Jim Hiller was hired as the coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, and Peter Laviolette was hired as the coach of the Los Angeles Kings last week. If the Oilers choose Babcock, they’ll have done so over names like Craig Berube, John Tortorella, Bruce Cassidy (who might not have been made available), and Darryl Sutter.

The Oilers leadership group met with Babcock and asked several questions about his past. They walked away thinking he was the right guy to push this team. This decision won’t be without fallout. There is already talk that some NHL players will avoid Edmonton in free agency or via trade if Babcock is the coach. Whether the NHL clears him or not, there are players who don’t want to be coached by him.

So what then? What happens if players choose to leave and others avoid Edmonton because of this decision? So too, what happens if the investigation doesn’t lead to Babcock changing? Worse yet, what if it does?

Is this Oilers leadership group strong enough to push back in the face of Babcock being Babcock? Is that even what they want to do? It’s key to remember that the Oilers aren’t looking at Babcock for his warm-and-fuzzy nature. They want the hardened guy who doesn’t let anything slide. If Babcock comes back a reformed individual, it’s not who the Oilers felt they needed to get over the hump.

Next: Is the NHL Coaching Market About to Explode?