Mike Babcock linked to high profile coaching job.

One of the most controversial figures from behind the bench in the sport of hockey may be on the verge of a comeback.

According to a report from Hockey News Hub, an expert on all things Russian hockey, there are now rumblings that disgraced former National Hockey League head coach Mike Babcock may be on the verge of making a comeback.

Babcock has reportedly been linked to a coaching job with Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League, a team based out of the city of Kazan, Russia. Ak Bars was coached by Anvar Gatiyatulin during the 2024-25 KHL season.

While this will likely be viewed as a controversial decision in North America, I have to believe that the move will be received positively in the KHL. Babcock is after all one of the most decorated hockey head coaches in the entire world including a Stanley Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal in his trophy cabinet. In fact Babcock is the only coach in the history of the sport to have won a Stanley Cup, an Olympic Gold Medal, the World Cup of Hockey, a Gold Medal at the World Championship and a gold medal the World Junior Championship.

I would have to believe that if Babcock is considering making a comeback in the KHL it would have to be with a head coaching position in mind, but that is only speculation on my part at this time.

Babcock did of course have an unceremonious exit when it comes to the NHL, with his last two head coaching jobs in the NHL ending in complete disaster. Babcock was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019 and quickly after his termination allegations of player mistreatment began to bubble to the surface. He would also be fired by the Columbus Blue Jackets a few years later in 2023, before ever coaching a single game for that franchise, over similar allegations.

It remains to be seen how Babcock's controversial coaching style will mesh with the KHL, assuming he ends up landing the job.