Oilers’ Holland would recommend Babcock to get NHL job back!

Mike Babcock was once the highest-paid head coach in the National Hockey League, but now, he is standing behind the bench of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Earlier in 2021, Babs agreed to take over as head coach of the Huskies replacing Dave Adolph, who retired in April after 28 years with the program.

But could he return to the NHL? While some insiders doubt he would ever be welcome back behind an NHL bench, his former GM in Detroit, Ken Holland would recommend him to clubs around the league.

As a guest on the Cam and Strick podcast, the now Edmonton Oilers general manager admitted that he would recommend Babs as a good head coach to any club that would call him about hiring the former NHL bench boss.

Holland maintains that coaching players has changed in the past 15 years and that Babcock didn’t do everything perfectly, but he recalls good times with Babs and his passion, and sticks to his statement that he would recommend him for a job back in the NHL.

It’s all here:

Now you have to wonder if Holland would want to hire him in Edmonton… Not that Dave Tippett is on the hot seat : the Oilers have been doing great and look like strong contenders this season. But you have to wonder what would need to change behind the bench if Edmonton once again fails to make it deep into the postseason.

We also have to say that we’re not sure many teams would come calling about Babcock. Last month, insider Chris Johnston pointed out how Babcock never fully admits his wrongdoings in any of the tense player-coach situations he’s experienced which would make it hard for any NHL team, especially following the sex abuse scandal in Chicago and Joel Quenneville resigning in Florida in regards to his role (or lack thereof as a head coach needing to help his player).

“It does feel like Mike does not feel like he has anything to apologize for…

“If he’s not going to show that self-reflection, or if he’s not going to change his stances then maybe he cannot be written about this way,” Johnston said, adding that he does not think Babcock wants a second shot in the NHL.

“My sense of where he’s at, and knowing people he knows, Mike Babcock is done as a NHL coach.”

Babcock grew up in Saskatoon and played for the Huskies for one season in 1981-82. The decision to coach the team ultimately came down to spending more time with family and coaching alongside his son Michael, who is an assistant coach with the team.But even after this deal in Saskatchewan, Johnston does not see him back behind an NHL bench. But Holland clearly does.