Babcock didn’t believe he crossed the line in Columbus

Mike Babcock doesn’t believe he crossed the line in Columbus and resigned from the Blue Jackets job in 2023 because he felt he wasn’t aligned with management.

During his introductory press conference with the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday afternoon, Babcock was asked multiple times about his past, including the situation in Columbus that prompted an NHL investigation before he could be hired.

“It was very evident before the year started,” said Babcock when asked what happened in Columbus. “I hadn’t benched anybody, I hadn’t talked to anybody, I hadn’t sat anybody out, and it was evident that we weren’t together as a staff right from the get-go. My wife gave me a call, and she said it’s time to get out of there. I’ve been retired. I was pretty good at it. I got back to being retired.”

When TSN’s Ryan Rishaug followed up specifically whether he believed he crossed the line, he didn’t drill into any specifics.

“No, to be honest with you, anytime you make anybody feel uncomfortable in your life, you should take a look at yourself, and you should say, ‘How could I do that better?'” said Babcock.  

“I think that’s what you do as a person, is you try to always be better at what you do. The situation in Columbus, they’ve had a full review, and I’m thankful, NHL and NHLPA, for doing that. It didn’t work out for us. We’re excited about making it work here.”  

Last Thursday, the NHL said they reviewed what happened and, despite viewing him “in a light least favorable,” there was no legal basis to restrict Babcock from employment.

Babcock asked about past

But the stories over the years don’t just stem from Columbus. Veteran NHLers and fringe pros both have stories that show a pattern of behaviour that has rubbed many the wrong way.

Oilersnation’s Jason Gregor asked whether he can change that side of himself, and be a hard coach, without being a “dick.”

“I actually don’t think my intentions are wrong that often. I think sometimes my tone is,” said Babcock.

“Being hard on people, a lot of times being hard on us, confused with telling the truth. I think when a kid sits at your kitchen table as one of your children, and they ask you a question, you should tell them. That’s called love.

“Sometimes the truth is hard for them. No matter what happens when you coach, when you scratch people, when you sit them out, when they’re at the end of your career and you don’t play them, it’s hard for them, for sure. You try to do that as respectfully as you can.

“Why? Because you think you’re a good human being, that’s the right thing to do. Sometimes it’s not perceived that way, but I think the other thing is, and I thought Stan [Bowman] said it great. Anytime you’re out of something, you sit back, and you have perspective, you’re allowed to grow as a human being, you’re out to get better, and I think that’s what this league’s all about, is getting better.”

Associate coach D.J. Smith, who was also introduced, has worked with Babcock in the past. He was asked whether part of his job was to keep Babcock from crossing the line.

“I think a lot of times it’s misconstrued. Mike was as hard on me as a young coach as, as any player, probably, or a lot of players,” said Smith. “I know his personality…he wants to be calm on the bench in certain situations, and I think he is really calm on the bench.

“I love to talk to players, and I’ll continue to do that, and I’m not afraid to tell Mike, I think we should do it this way. Ultimately, he’s the head coach. Mike’s going to make those decisions, and that’s why he’s won a lot of championships and gold medals.

“Certainly, if I feel something, I’m going to say it.”