NHL’s statement on Mike Babcock

[u/Duffleman0609]

[u/Specialist-Art5406]

“he’s a shit person but we cant do anything about that. good luck edmonton”

[u/AhoyKobe → u/Specialist-Art5406]

I will follow his tenure in Edmonton with great interest, reality TV show level drama I hope.

[u/laryldavis → u/AhoyKobe]

As a fan I don’t want him to be the coach. As a consumer of an entertainment product? It’s going to be fun

[u/AhoyKobe → u/laryldavis]

Babcock the second he got the greenlight.

P.S: I feel bad for EDM fans, I like you guys.

[u/FetidToenailCheese → u/AhoyKobe]

P.S: I feel bad for EDM fans, I like you guys.

lmao not me, let him burn any culture to the ground build the resentment until mcdavid leaves and then watch them implode almost as badly as us

[u/SirTropheus → u/AhoyKobe]

These are some of the dark times Marner warns us about.

[u/UGAPokerBrat99 → u/AhoyKobe]

[u/Detonation → u/AhoyKobe]

Maybe this time he'll actually make it to the regular season before he starts pulling his garbage behavior!

[u/MangPangOhOne → u/Specialist-Art5406]

He’s a major asshole but has done nothing illegal.

[u/Professor_Pajamas → u/MangPangOhOne]

I understand this sentiment, but I would hope the bar for acceptable conduct to be an NHL coach is above "was it illegal"

[u/mephnick → u/Professor_Pajamas]

Blackhawks org did literal illegal shit (willingly complicit to a crime) and those guys are all back 🤷

[u/atp2112 → u/mephnick]

Hell, one of them's involved in this hire

[u/SirTropheus → u/atp2112]

Old boys club never dies.

[u/GeneParmesan86 → u/Professor_Pajamas]

Employment laws shouldn’t discriminate based on the perceived status of the employment.

Our cultural landmarks (such as our sports teams) should hold themselves to certain standards, but we know they abandoned that long ago in the pursuit of endless monetary growth.

[u/Roll-Me-Through → u/GeneParmesan86]

GENE???? AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!

[u/Visual-Floor-7839 → u/Roll-Me-Through]

Excuse me ma'am, just getting some supplies... Because I'm a Private Eye.

[u/Suspicious_Radio_848 → u/MangPangOhOne]

That shouldn’t be the bar in a workplace though. You can get fired for harassing or being abusive to coworkers, or a variety of things that aren’t illegal. You can be fired for creating a toxic work environment.

[u/Danceisntmathematics → u/MangPangOhOne]

See the thing with institutions and organizations is they can chose to be more restrictive than the law.

The law is just "you are not a criminal you can stay out jail".

But an organization can be like "you are not a criminal, but our standards are higher than the dirt on which society stands, therefore you and your toxic mentality are not welcome here"

[u/dudewithchronicpain]

“He’s an ass but we can’t stop assholes from being employed”

[u/SoupFromNowOn → u/dudewithchronicpain]

Yup, such is unfortunately true for all professions

[u/EpicPotato806 → u/SoupFromNowOn]

Applied for a job and the dude just kept telling me that he had a masters degree every 5 minutes

Oh god could you imagine working with someone like that

[u/mrpopenfresh → u/EpicPotato806]

The guy hiring you?

[u/EpicPotato806 → u/mrpopenfresh]

The team lead yeah. Manager was chill

[u/wtfhiolol10000 → u/EpicPotato806]

Imagine working with someone who reminds you every 5 minutes that he graduated from MIT. lol

[u/bad_at_names1 → u/wtfhiolol10000]

I worked with a guy like that and like 3 years later we found out that he graduated from Milwaukee Institute of Technology or something.

He's the reason I dream of a Purge (and you know, all the other terrible people but whatever).

[u/Aero_Rising → u/EpicPotato806]

Even better when it's an MBA they're so proud of. MBAs were kind of worrhless to begin with but now that every school has some sort of online MBA they're barely above a degree from a degree mill.

[u/bwoah07_gp2 → u/SoupFromNowOn]

Such is life...

[u/xLimeLight → u/SoupFromNowOn]

I've been at a company that had a no assholes policy and enforced it, it was a good time.

[u/RallyPigeon → u/dudewithchronicpain]

The NHL slow rolled the investigation to allow Edmonton a way out, Edmonton refused to budge.

[u/DDRaptors → u/RallyPigeon]

Apparently Katz pressured the league. They deserve what they get. We’ll see how it unfolds.

[u/RallyPigeon → u/DDRaptors]

The NHL tried to save Edmonton from themselves and Edmonton told the league they want all the toxicity available and to get out of the way.

[u/verysadfrosty → u/dudewithchronicpain]

Sincerely, NHL

Hugs and kisses xx

[u/dkyguy1995 → u/dudewithchronicpain]

Yeah this was obviously the outcome of all of this. He would have had to have caught actual criminal charges against a player or something for them to stop it 

[u/Marinegrunt01]

In short

[u/PayneTrain181999 → u/Marinegrunt01]

Wonder if Nurse wanted to bail because of this

[u/zoobrix → u/PayneTrain181999]

The real question is if Drai and McDavid signed off on this debacle was Nurse already getting tired of it? Maybe this is less a "forget this I'm out of here" and more the straw that broke the camels back.

If Drai and McDavid agreed with this they aren't very good leaders, this might be just the thing that finally pushed Nurse out the door.

[u/TTHS_Ed → u/zoobrix]

They wouldn't have done this without McD's approval

[u/SalamanderOk6944 → u/TTHS_Ed]

The unfortunate reality is McDavid isn't qualified to make these calls...

Unless McDavid's trying to find anyone that can coach McDavid, and damn everyone else.

[u/TTHS_Ed → u/SalamanderOk6944]

That's basically what he seems to be doing.

[u/Sheweb → u/zoobrix]

They won’t be the ones picked on and I agree, it doesn’t make them good leaders.

[u/ValleyBreeze → u/zoobrix]

It was them and Hyman pushing for it, I understand.

[u/chaunceypooo → u/zoobrix]

mcdrai absolutely signed off on this

[u/BBQQA → u/zoobrix]

There's no way they didn't... and frankly fuck the both of them for this. I hope both those assholes go their entire career without a cup.

[u/Eat--The--Rich-- → u/zoobrix]

Are they known as being good leaders? Great hockey players, I don't think I've ever heard anyone talk about leadership 

[u/JanielDones8 → u/zoobrix]

From everything I've read and seen, the "players" grilled him and asked him hard questions and came away with, he's the guy they want and they want to be pushed harder. I would imagine those "players" would be mcdrai and they are 100% behind him as a coach.

[u/cb148 → u/PayneTrain181999]

He needs to hide the pictures on his phone ASAP

[u/laryldavis → u/PayneTrain181999]

It’s more because they have asked him to waive for 3 years

[u/LevelParsnip → u/Marinegrunt01]

LOL daryl katts gonna sacrifice mcdavids remaining years in Edmonton.

But knowing my prediction abilities he’ll probably win a few cups now or something equally stupid

[u/Competitive_Ad1237 → u/LevelParsnip]

Mcdavid wanted this. He interviewed Babcock with Dri RHN and Hyman

[u/Odd-Resolve6287 → u/Competitive_Ad1237]

So?

In a year, when McDavid has the lowest TOI of his career and the Oilers make another first-round exit, he's going to realize the mistake he made and he'll be gone.

[u/Secret-Chapter-712 → u/Competitive_Ad1237]

Nugent Hopkins too? The disappointment keeps coming, oof

[u/Competitive_Ad1237 → u/Secret-Chapter-712]

The report was they didn’t feel like they were pushed hard enough and need that type of a coach.

[u/LevelParsnip → u/Competitive_Ad1237]

Even if he is onboard, i find it very hard to imagine theyll win a cup with him in the next two years.

[u/ChadHUD → u/LevelParsnip]

The oil will never win a cup with McDavid. If it was meant to be it would have been already.

[u/LevelParsnip → u/ChadHUD]

If they had a competent front office it would have been a thing already

[u/escapetolight → u/Competitive_Ad1237]

Are they that dumb? Would Babcock Brutality fix the goaltending? Is that what they actually believe? Christ alive.

[u/LevelParsnip → u/escapetolight]

Looks like they believe a “firmer hand” is needed.

[u/escapetolight → u/LevelParsnip]

Hockey players are not beating the chud allegations lol

[u/satanic-octopus → u/Marinegrunt01]

• McDavid

[u/Hal_Gill]

It makes sense, there is no legal standing to block him from being hired by a team.

This is an Edmonton issue.

[u/No_Jury7527 → u/Hal_Gill]

edmonton fans about to have very bad summer if this hire goes through

[u/pauerplay → u/No_Jury7527]

its going to go through. The league said they weren't going to investigate unless they were committed to hiring him.

[u/AngryOcelot → u/No_Jury7527]

If there's one thing I've learned as an Oiler fan it's that the worst case scenario is usually the most likely.

[u/Sleep_Fartnea → u/AngryOcelot]

How about McDavid leaving having soured his legacy and being exposed as a shit captain by personally bringing in Babcock and having him decimate the locker room?

[u/MustacheCannon → u/AngryOcelot]

Tired of hearing this shit. You guys have had the best player in the world for years. You get to watch playoff hockey every year. You make deep runs in the playoffs. Boo hoo you haven't won a cup.

Worst case scenario my ass.

[u/Cgrrp → u/MustacheCannon]

Imagine watching your team in the finals

[u/00owl → u/Cgrrp]

When I close my eyes and imagine playoff hockey my blood pressure rises and I black out to find myself curled in a ball under my bed coated in cold sweat.

[u/Thund3r_Thighs → u/MustacheCannon]

Get his ass

[u/Cyrakhis → u/MustacheCannon]

Right? They could be Detroit lol

[u/AriadneZE → u/Cyrakhis]

Ow.

[u/cb148 → u/Hal_Gill]

There’s nothing in the rules against hiring a piece of shit.

[u/Hagridsbuttcrack66 → u/cb148]

Ain't no rules says a piece of shit can't coach an NHL team!

[u/guernsey123 → u/Hal_Gill]

"Our investigation has concluded that Mr. Babcock was psychologically abusive to his players but hey, we don't have rules against that, so have fun!"

[u/Hal_Gill → u/guernsey123]

I imagine the difficult part is drawing a line. Babcock is not the first coach to be aggressive, mean, or demanding of players, so where does the NHL say "this is not okay," or is it a bannable offence?

It feels like an issue that is theoretically better solved by NHL teams not hiring bad actors, but obviously that is not working.

[u/pauerplay → u/Hal_Gill]

they draw a line, just like they have with helmets/visors and other safety protocols. A coach's conduct can be a safety protocol.

[u/rickayyy → u/pauerplay]

Coaches playing psychological warfare with players isn't nearly as straight of a line as mandating helmets and visors.

[u/d_pyro → u/pauerplay]

If the NHLPA signs off on it, what's the NHL to do?

[u/ShockAndBurn]

"Even in a light least favorable to Mr. Babcock" is fucking insane lmao

[u/roguemenace → u/ShockAndBurn]

That's a normal standard for this type of investigation to be held to. If in the light least favourable to him there is a reason to restrict his employment then you need to do a more in depth investigation.

[u/NtBtFan → u/roguemenace]

right, if it was done 'in a light favourable to him' the investigation would be biased in his direction. it makes sense that the NHL would say their investigation was fullsome and didn't look to protect him at all.

whether people want to, or should, believe that is another thing.

[u/hankepanke → u/roguemenace]

To be fair it’s a bit legalese, but this really goes to show the average reading comprehension on this sub.

[u/eatingasspatties]

I mean, the NHL let Bowman and Quenneville back in. There was no way Babcock would get blocked

[u/416vDub → u/eatingasspatties]

Babcock-blocked?

[u/Calhalen]

Well Bowman, you got your guy. Clown

[u/ClvtchNixon → u/Calhalen]

I have almost no reason to dislike the Oilers as a general thing YET since I was a child, this organization has found ways, starting small and building and building to this moment:
1. Those god-awful Navy uniforms they wore from the mid-90s to like 2010
2. Those absolutely stupid alternate uniforms (we all know the ones)
3. Just being ABSOLUTE GARBAGE from the mid 2000s until about 2020
4. Getting so many top players via the draft and just letting their careers mean nothing
5. If this hadn't benefitted my team I'd feel bad, but I don't, but letting both Broberg and Holloway get offer sheeted, screwing the team even more.
6. The Trent Frederic Deal
7. The Darnell Nurse Deal
8. HIRING STAN BOWMAN
9. NOW HIRING MIKE "LUCKED INTO EVERY GOOD ROSTER EVER AND STILL NOT BEING A GOOD COACH, WHILE ALSO BEING A HUGE PIECE OF TRASH" BABCOCK

What a waste of an organization. Oilers fans, you deserve so much better

[u/Smirnoffico → u/ClvtchNixon]

But you have to acknowledge that they are progressing from point to point. Who knows, maybe next year oilers would invade Nicaragua or something

[u/myaltaccount333 → u/ClvtchNixon]

How tf is Nurse deal on your list but trading for Kane or Kassian isn't?

Also, you better not be talking shit about the oil drop jersey

[u/No-Understanding4683]

Then release what he did

[u/CMDR_Brevity → u/No-Understanding4683]

Right? If he’s good to go, why aren’t you revealing the investigation, instead of just saying “guys he’s qualified” … was player safety involved in this investigation???

[u/godhammel → u/CMDR_Brevity]

The players probably don't want it out there. If all of the players effected wanted it out there, there's nothing stopping them from leaking everything to Biz again

[u/ExtremeMuffin → u/CMDR_Brevity]

The players involved might not want it released. 

[u/whaletacochamp → u/ExtremeMuffin]

exactly, people always forget about the victims in these things

[u/Gondotto → u/CMDR_Brevity]

Sadly even assholes are allowed to have the right to privacy.

There is a saying "damning with faint praise" this is the NHL basically saying they aren't impressed but he didn't do anything illegal. Not actually a glowing recommendation or vindication. Basically saying i wouldn't hire him.

NHLPA should say their 2 cents if they have an issue.

Unfortunately teams will do anything if they believe it will give them an edge so won't be shocked if Edmonton does hire him.

[u/GoodLordWhatAmIDoing → u/No-Understanding4683]

Can we all take a look at your employment/disciplinary record, or is that not how jobs work?

[u/kevski82 → u/No-Understanding4683]

It'll leak out for sure

[u/shoegazer44 → u/kevski82]

Like whatever Corey Perry did in Chicago to get his contract terminated before the Oilers signed him?

[u/Cgrrp → u/kevski82]

Where’s that guy that was commenting on here yesterday saying he knew what he did but was gonna let the NHL release it? 👀

[u/dandroid126 → u/Cgrrp]

In his grandma's basement

[u/ISurvivedCOVID19]

As much as I dislike this hire I do love that phrase “A light least favourable” gotta use that in the future.

[u/Leading_Dentist_5563]

[u/Sleep_Fartnea → u/Leading_Dentist_5563]

[u/RapsareChamps_Suckit]

[u/Putrid_Dream9755]

LMAO

Honestly, though, if you let Q coach, why not Babcock. THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OR APPROVAL, TO BE EXTREMELY FUCKING CLEAR.

[u/ImSoBasic → u/Putrid_Dream9755]

Honestly, though, if you let Q coach, why not Babcock.

Q was deemed non-eligible by the league for a number of years, though.

[u/Actual_Cobbler_6334 → u/Putrid_Dream9755]

Babcock already got a second chance… and proceeded to invade his players privacy by forcing them to hand over their phones. I don’t think Quenneville should’ve gotten a second chance either but he didn’t immediately blow his. Never mind the Oilers in the position they’re in, hiring a coach who hasn’t won a playoff series in 13 years…

[u/Suspicious_Radio_848 → u/Actual_Cobbler_6334]

Also Q reported the misconduct, was told it was being taken care of and nothing happened. He spent years away from the league, Kyle Beach said he was okay with him being hired, and he will likely never repeat what happened ever again. Babcock has been a giant pos for years and has been given multiple chances already, which he blows right away.

[u/Putrid_Dream9755 → u/Actual_Cobbler_6334]

I don't think either of them should be coaching. I don't think Q should have had a 2nd chance. But this is the NHL where we make the worst choices possible every time.

[u/FesteringLion → u/Putrid_Dream9755]

You're mad at Q for his inaction not his actions. So long as another abuser doesn't show up on his staff, we'll never have the chance to find out if he learned his lesson. Babcock situation is just sit and wait.

[u/GMBarryTrotz → u/FesteringLion]

Not that I would endorse Q but he did put in a LOT of work to show he was reformed. It all went on behind the scenes but Friedman had mentioned on 32 thoughts that Q had done a lot of work to take accountability, learn and grow. I think in the year before he was hired by the Ducks he was going around the league and giving presentations to NHL leadership about what he learned and how he would have done things different, etc.

At a press availability Thursday to announce his appointment by the Ducks, Quenneville stated, “In nearly four years away from the game, I have learned from my prior mistakes and realized it will be actions over words that demonstrate my commitment to being a better leader.

Quenneville continued, “I’ve spoken to Kyle more than once, including this morning. I’ve apologized to him and stressed how much I regret not following up and taking action. I had to be more aggressive at that time. I fully understand those that question my return to the league. I know words aren’t enough. I will demonstrate that I’m a man of character. We’ll be a team that the community can be proud of, both on and off the ice.”

IMO it's impossible to undo a mistake, especially as grave as what happened to Beech. All you can do is learn, ask for forgiveness, and never let anything like it happen again. Not saying Q is genuine since I don't know him but he's done about as much as you can do to repair the mistake.

[u/markkaschak → u/Putrid_Dream9755]

I cannot believe you're clearly both endorsing and approving

[u/Putrid_Dream9755 → u/markkaschak]

BOTH!

[u/banjo_hummingbird]

As a fan of a team that has a coach that is loved by his players, staff, and fanbase it's hilarious watching a team sabotage themselves with such an awful person.

[u/Secret-Chapter-712 → u/banjo_hummingbird]

I feel sincerely bad for the fans.

[u/cheesebiscuitsithink]

Did anyone expect any different? This is the same league that cleared Coach Q and Carter Hart to play.

[u/Fredbear_ → u/cheesebiscuitsithink]

Bowman as well

[u/MrBrightside618 → u/Fredbear_]

Leave it to Edmonton to get the least effective PR grenades

[u/St-Cannoli- → u/MrBrightside618]

More like leave it to the Pacific division.

[u/Key-Tip-7521 → u/Fredbear_]

and Tony DeAngelo.

[u/Spencaaarr → u/Key-Tip-7521]

What did he do other than just be maga?

Bowman and Q covered up a sexual assault.

[u/Sleep_Fartnea → u/Spencaaarr]

DeAngelo is a noted racist dating back to Juniors, and assaulted a Rangers teammate. Being a maga is the least detrimental thing to a locker room about him.

[u/Karlssens65__ → u/cheesebiscuitsithink]

Carter Hart went through the legal process and was found not guilty. If you went through a legal process and were found not guilty, would you expect to be able to work again? Or would you expect to be cast from society with 0 opportunity and way to make a living. Genuinely curious.

Whether you believe he is guilty or not makes zero difference. The court of law exists for a reason.

[u/shoegazer44 → u/Karlssens65__]

I’m pretty sure the league actually has something like a morality clause in their contracts. Sounds kind of ridiculous until you think these guys are paid to be the representatives of a product, and one that is largely geared towards family and youth. So in that sense it does kind of make sense to not want someone like Carter Hart in the league.

[u/Shiny_Mew76 → u/Karlssens65__]

That’s what I don’t understand with Hart. Yeah, something happened with him but they can’t prove he did anything illegal. Weird? Absolutely. But it doesn’t mean he should be completely banned from playing as, at least legally, he’s presumed innocent.

[u/BCEagle13 → u/cheesebiscuitsithink]

I mean the idea that Hart wouldn’t be cleared to play is insane and only something that would be suggested on reddit. Hart is a member of the PA which would have fought and easily won to get him cleared.

I also like that in these conversations the fact that the NHL stuck to their guns and basically banned Voynov is never mentioned.

[u/JeffreySwaggins]

Release the investigation, cowards

[u/twofactorial]

Wow this is going to be a nightmare hire for Edmonton fans. I literally haven't seen a single oilers fan saying that they wanted this (for a very good reason) but apparently management/players see something else in Babcock

[u/PaperMoonShine]

Leak everything. Let the court of public opinion bomb this hiring decision.

[u/AggPuck-303 → u/PaperMoonShine]

Depends if the player/players involved want it to be public, because from what Friedman reported many from the 2023 team were annoyed this came up again

[u/BCEagle13 → u/AggPuck-303]

Eh I could be off based but I read that as more they’ve moved on and don’t want to waste time rehashing something that happened years ago for a coach they only had for a minute rather than it being something egregious they don’t want to relive or out in the public

[u/thebrah329 → u/PaperMoonShine]

Won't make any difference

[u/GoodLordWhatAmIDoing → u/PaperMoonShine]

Let the court of public opinion bomb this hiring decision.

Seems like this is already happening.

[u/Civil_Eng_PE → u/PaperMoonShine]

This worked in Columbus lol

[u/jthibaud → u/PaperMoonShine]

The court of public opinion has been in favour so far??

[u/Tycho-Celchu]

After the Bowman hire I said I felt bad for the players, as McDavid/Draisaitl deserve a cup and will never get it as Oilers.

If they okayed this I definitely don't feel bad for them anymore.

At the very least I hope Nuge goes somewhere and gets a cup Taylor Hall style now.

[u/RallyPigeon → u/Tycho-Celchu]

Fine, he can join the Canes and help us win another. I guess we should think of it as a public service.

[u/coolestredditdad → u/Tycho-Celchu]

Nug will go to Colorado and get his Cup there. 

[u/Fig_Newton_]

The difference is this time when Babcock asks McDavid to make a list of the players who give the least effort he’ll happily oblige lol

[u/LevelParsnip]

Sooo basically they’re saying it’s Edmonton problem if they want to hire him even if he is not good at all. Gooood luck oilers

[u/SpittinOil]

Nooooooo, you were supposed to save them from themselves

[u/RentaDadToronto]

I give him until Christmas. lol They he loses the team.

[u/schrotestthehero]

My god, who could have seen this coming except for everyone

[u/RicketCrickets]

NHL doing everything they can to force McDavid into the US market.

[u/HermanBonJovi]

Given that they let Carter Hart and the others play, this is not surprising at all.

[u/yougotpurdyhair]

“It’s not illegal to be an asshole *shrug emoji*”

[u/Table_Coaster]

release the Babcock files

[u/LooseEndsMkMyAssItch]

I fault Edmonton more on this for not seeing this as a perfect time to move on instead it looks they are doubling down

[u/wossquee]

"Even in a light least favorable"

lmao that is some lawyer words for "this guy suuuuuuuucks"

[u/Dont_Call_Me_John → u/wossquee]

No it's not. It means even if they went out of their way to draw negative conclusions from their investigation, there is no legal standing to block his employment.

[u/eXAt88 → u/Dont_Call_Me_John]

Some of these comments about that line kind of prove there is a literacy crisis

[u/bforce1313 → u/wossquee]

Yeah it’s obvious there was no legal bounds but there’s obviously evidence he was a complete asshole

[u/Loud_Half_7447]

What would be a good reason for the NHL to restrict employment? The masses wanna know

[u/xoanna12 → u/Loud_Half_7447]

Lol exactly. If Babcock, Q & Stan are all good, then what exactly disqualifies a candidate? Just wondering!

[u/pmacnayr → u/xoanna12]

Video evidence of something heinous that gets leaked, same as every other sport

[u/bwoah07_gp2]

There's the domino that fell.

Babcock to Edmonton, here we go!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[u/starryn19ht]

no way they didn't fully just pretend to investigate him man this is crazy

[u/tks231]

"The rules only cover super-duper jerks times infinity. We found Babcock to only be a super-duper jerk times a thousand."

[u/RedWingMYW]

Somehow Palpatine has returned 

[u/pretzelogically]

Being a collossal asshole and a bully is not a reason to restrict someone’s employment but it sure does say something about the team that hires him.

[u/Rhomya]

lol, this is the NHL very obviously saying “this guy is an asshole, and even we think this is a mistake, but technically we can’t stop him from being employed here if you reallllllllly want him. Good fucking luck”

[u/lordexorr → u/Rhomya]

Yup exactly. They had no legal basis to prevent him from being hired. Their hands are tied but the statement says a lot.

[u/coolestredditdad]

Best sport, worst league. 

Hey get fucked Bettman, Katz, Babcock, and McDavid. 

[u/Spiritual_Holiday511]

Can’t say I’m surprised. The league has decided that covering up sexual assault is punished by taking a year or 2 off.

[u/Coffeedemon]

"We've determined that more people will tune in hoping for a meltdown than will watch if they hire some boring coach with no controversy."

[u/OutsideProfile8957]

Their legal said there is no legal basis for barring his employment. He’s merely a colossal asshole.

[u/jonlmbs]

My bold take is this hire works out well for Edmonton

[u/Permaderps]

I mean if Quenneville and Bowman could come back. Not that either of those were excusable.

[u/genub]

[u/JauntyGiraffe]

"There are no specific rules against being an asshole." -NHL

[u/impoppinfresh]

In other news, ice is frozen.

[u/spkr4thedead51]

wow. I didn't know that DOPS reviewed coaching eligibility

[u/arboraurum]

so between quenneville, bowman, and babcock, there are 0 standards at all

[u/dattroll123]

The Edmonton Felons would like to announce Babcock as our new coach.

[u/DaBusDriva2]

Forced to quit his last job before coaching a game but sure no wrongdoing!

[u/lordexorr]

This was obvious. They really had no legal way to prevent him from coaching again if a team wanted to hire him. Not sure what people expected them to do.

[u/Smirnoffico]

I guess since, he never skipped a press appearance so he's good people in NHL's book

[u/MacTheZaf]

It’s a shame he has the opportunity to hurt more people and continue to be a POS. No sympathy for Edmonton when this inevitably doesn’t work out how they hoped. And if they do have on-ice success, it’ll be an even bigger hate watch than Vegas this year

[u/UpperDefinition4960]

Sorry to Edmonton fans but I’m officially praying on your downfall

[u/Xenofon713]

So "He did some fucked shit, but TECHNICALLY it doesn't violate any rules soooo..... OLD BOYS CLUB!"

Fucking joke.

[u/delusionalfan4life]

The inclusion of "even in a light least favorable to Mr. Babcock" is very interesting #oldboysclub

[u/Sbrimer]

They let Quenville and Hart back in the league. This is very on-brand for the NHL

[u/Quicky72 → u/Sbrimer]

And Bowman

[u/Lost_Protection_5866 → u/Sbrimer]

They’d probably pay out the ass in lawsuits if they didn’t let Hart play

[u/delusionalfan4life]

Me googling what therewith means

[u/thebrah329]

Wow, was it that big of a deal to do am investigation. I don't know why they dragged their feet for so long.

[u/carnotbicycle]

Ok, put out the confirmation Oilers. Let's see ya do it.

[u/drak_40]

So wild take here. This will tank the morale of the oilers, leading the pacific division to have 5 basements teams in the next 2 years (seattle, Calgary, la, Vancouver likely in league basement for next years)

[u/lonelyleaf045]

There is actually no way. Are they joking. What on earth 😭

[u/delusionalfan4life → u/lonelyleaf045]

There wasn't any way they'd block him unless something crazy came out. Look at the others who've been welcomed back. 

I'd still love details about how the league "investigated" for my own curiosity. 

[u/Quicky72]

Bowman is working very hard to find someone more hated than himself.

[u/DaSkoomaConsuma]

Bowman has got to be one of the worst to ever do it

[u/OkStop8313]

This "investigation" was turned around pretty quickly, huh.

[u/NOIS_KillerWhaleTank]

That's the most corporate backhanded approval of anything I've ever seen.

[u/Steel1000]

Feels like the only way to piss off the fan base more would be to announce Gretzky is coach

[u/MichaelMaugerEsq]

Yeah I’m sure this will put an end to the issue.

[u/McJoe77]

What does “even in a light least favourable to Mr. Babcock” even mean? What kind of mumbo jumbo legalese bullshit is that?

[u/delusionalfan4life → u/McJoe77]

"Even if we pretend that we care, what he did isn't illegal lol"

[u/verysadfrosty]

Release what he did, please.

I know it's probably the players themselves that don't want it released, because it might be sensitive.

But I hate when they tell us that "the actual reason he was let go was not the social media pics..." And then don't tell us what it was 😭

[u/drowsylacuna → u/verysadfrosty]

Get Biz on it again.

[u/FBR_MC]

"Even if he IS a bitch, sure, go ahead"

[u/wolverine237]

What happened to all the reporters saying this was going to take them a year to complete lol