The NHL has officially cleared Mike Babcock to return to coaching following an investigation into his conduct, paving the way for the Edmonton Oilers to hire him.
The league launched an inquiry requested by the NHL Players’ Association regarding his sudden resignation from the Columbus Blue Jackets in September 2023.
He departed the Ohio-based franchise before overseeing a single game after drawing severe criticism for requesting to view personal photographs on players’ mobile phones.
Recent virtual interviews with former squad members officially concluded the comprehensive probe into the 63-year-old’s brief tenure.
No basis to restrict employment
“The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith. Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the League,” the NHL said in a statement.
Sources indicate that the Alberta-based team now intend to appoint the Stanley Cup-winning coach to fill their current vacancy.
The veteran tactician has reportedly received strong support from several experienced players within the current dressing room.
Edmonton originally targeted Bruce Cassidy for the role, but the Vegas Golden Knights refused to grant permission due to his active contract and strict non-compete clause.
A history of success and sudden exits
The highly experienced manager has taken charge of 700 games across previous spells with the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.
He notably guided the Red Wings to the ultimate prize in 2008, establishing himself as one of the sport’s premier strategic minds.
His last active coaching role ended in November 2019 when Toronto dismissed him following a dismal start to the campaign.
The Oilers are now searching for their sixth head coach since superstar Connor McDavid’s rookie season after parting ways with Kris Knoblauch in May.
The Vegas Golden Knights have promoted AHL affiliate boss Ryan Craig to become their new head coach following the departure of John Tortorella.
The 44-year-old takes charge of the NHL outfit just days after their season ended with a 3-0 defeat by the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
He steps up from the Henderson Silver Knights, becoming the first homegrown coach to lead the Nevada-based franchise.
Deep roots with general manager
The former centre enjoyed an eight-year playing career in the NHL before transitioning into a coaching role in 2017.
While he never represented Vegas on the ice, his relationship with general manager Kelly McCrimmon stretches back to junior hockey.
The newly appointed boss captained the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL while McCrimmon served as the team’s general manager and co-owner.
Vegas initially brought the Canadian on board as an assistant coach during their inaugural 2017-18 campaign, a position he held until taking the Henderson job last year.
Tortorella’s brief but impactful tenure
The head coaching transition marks the third change behind the Vegas bench since late March.
The front office dismissed Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining in the regular season, turning to the veteran Tortorella on a short-term agreement.
Under the 2004 Stanley Cup winner’s guidance, the team surged into the postseason and eliminated the Utah Mammoth, Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche.
Despite taking a 2-1 series lead in the finals, they ultimately succumbed to a resilient Carolina squad who ended the series with three consecutive victories.
Tight salary cap challenges ahead
Craig inherits a talented core featuring established stars like Jack Eichel, Mark Stone and Mitch Marner, who remain under team control for the upcoming season.
However, McCrimmon and his staff face significant financial hurdles before free agency opens on 1 July.
The organisation reportedly possesses just $4.625m in salary cap space while needing to address multiple unrestricted free agents, including recently acquired defenceman Rasmus Andersson.
The Toronto Maple Leafs appointed Jim Hiller as their new head coach on Wednesday to replace Craig Berube following a dismal season that saw the franchise miss the play-offs.
The 57-year-old returns to the Canadian outfit having previously served as an assistant between 2015 and 2019.
General manager John Chayka confirmed the appointment following an extensive, multi-phased search to fill the vacancy.
“Jim is an experienced coach with a strong understanding of what it takes to win in today’s NHL,” Chayka stated.
“We believe he’s the right person to lead our team and help us reach our goals.”
Return to familiar surroundings
The incoming boss recently managed the Los Angeles Kings, compiling a 93-58-24 record over parts of three campaigns.
He was dismissed by the Californian franchise in March following a heavy defeat by the Edmonton Oilers.
Before his tenure in Los Angeles, the experienced tactician worked as an assistant with the New York Islanders.
During his first spell in Toronto, he primarily managed the power play under then-head coach Mike Babcock.
“I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to return to Toronto and lead the Maple Leafs,” the new manager said.
“This is a special organisation with great players, passionate fans and high expectations.”
A crucial summer rebuild
Securing a new bench boss was a priority for the front office ahead of next week’s NHL Entry Draft, where they hold the number one overall pick.
The organisation has undergone significant restructuring over the past few months.
Former general manager Brad Treliving was dismissed in March, paving the way for Chayka’s arrival alongside franchise legend Mats Sundin.
These sweeping personnel changes were triggered by a highly disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
Finishing seventh in the Atlantic Division with just 78 points meant the squad missed the post-season for the first time since drafting Auston Matthews in 2016.
The Carolina Hurricanes have secured their second Stanley Cup title by defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Goals from Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake laid the foundation for the pivotal road victory that ended the best-of-seven series.
Undrafted rookie goaltender Brandon Bussi made 22 saves to earn his third consecutive win since taking the starting role when his team trailed 2-1 in the matchup.
Bussi shines as Carolina seal historic triumph
The Eastern Conference outfit lifted hockey’s greatest prize for the first time since their maiden championship victory in 2006.
“It’s special, it’s been a special year.”
Bussi said on the ice before the trophy presentation.
“It’s been an honour to be able to do it with this group, everyone deserves it so much.”
Tortorella’s gamble fails to pay off
Nikolaj Ehlers extinguished any lingering hope for the hosts by sliding an empty-net goal home in the final two minutes.
The late strike marked the Danish winger’s eighth goal of the postseason during his debut campaign in Raleigh.
Defeat proved especially bitter for Vegas head coach John Tortorella, who was hired late in the regular season.
The veteran manager had boldly claimed he left his belongings at the team hotel in North Carolina, fully anticipating a decisive Game 7 that never materialised.
Instead, the Nevada-based franchise fell short in their bid to capture a second NHL championship in four seasons.
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart has dismissed hostile chants from Carolina Hurricanes fans as “just noise” as he prepares to start Game six of the Stanley Cup Final.
The netminder was acquitted of a sexual assault charge last summer following accusations related to a 2018 Hockey Canada event.
Fans in Raleigh repeatedly chanted “no means no!” during the first three home games of the championship series in reference to the trial.
Hart addressed the crowd’s behaviour for the first time following Saturday’s morning skate in Las Vegas.
Support remains despite struggling form
“It’s just noise. I mean, both atmospheres and both buildings have been really loud and just a lot of fun to play in,” Hart stated.
The former Philadelphia Flyers player has endured a historically difficult series on the ice, conceding four or more goals in all five games.
He currently holds a save percentage of just .856 against the Hurricanes.
Carolina currently lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and can secure the Stanley Cup trophy with a victory on Sunday night.
Tortorella backs his goaltender
Despite mounting external pressure to bench the struggling player for backup Adin Hill, head coach John Tortorella offered an emphatic endorsement.
“I know him. I know there’s a better game in him. I’ve seen it throughout the playoffs,” Tortorella said.
The veteran coach previously managed the Canadian when both men were employed by the Flyers.
Tortorella insisted the team must do a better job defensively around their starter, urging observers to look beyond the underlying statistics.
Knights face elimination
The Golden Knights are fighting to keep their season alive and force a decisive seventh game.
Teammate Rasmus Andersson expressed complete confidence in their starting goalie ahead of the crucial matchup.
“At this point of the year you just don’t care about what the outside says, honestly,” the defenceman added.
Andersson noted that fixating on outside criticism or praise during an elimination game would simply cause a player to lose their focus.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov has claimed the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player for a second time following a fiercely contested vote on Thursday.
The Russian winger edged out Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid by a mere 10 points in the closest ballot for the award since the 2001-02 season.
Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon finished third in the polling conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Historic voting margins
Underlining the extraordinary calibre of performances this season, all three finalists received at least 25% of the first-place votes for the first time under the current system.
The prolific attacker previously lifted the prestigious individual accolade in 2019.
By reclaiming the honour seven years later, he joins an elite club alongside hockey legends Jean Beliveau and Sidney Crosby as the only players to wait seven or more years between MVP titles.
Exceptional scoring exploits
The Tampa Bay talisman recorded a staggering 130 points during the campaign, comprising 44 goals and 86 assists.
His offensive output featured an incredible sequence of 104 points across a 50-game span, ultimately finishing 42 points clear of his nearest teammate.
Although his season total ranked second in the league behind McDavid’s 138 points, the newly crowned MVP led the NHL with a remarkable 1.71 points-per-game average.
This latest triumph cements his status as one of the premier offensive forces of his generation, having also finished third in the voting last year and second in the 2023-24 campaign.
Rookie goaltender Brandon Bussi is expected to start for the Carolina Hurricanes against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final following a crucial victory in his previous outing.
The 27-year-old occupied the starter’s crease during the team’s morning skate in Raleigh.
He was also the first netminder to leave the ice, heavily indicating he will retain his place for a second consecutive match.
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour declined to officially confirm his lineup, though the championship series is currently finely poised at 2-2.
Rookie steps up on the grandest stage
The native of New York was a surprise inclusion in Game 4, stepping in to make 18 saves during Carolina’s vital 5-3 triumph.
Prior to that pivotal victory, he had successfully relieved veteran Frederik Andersen during the third period of Game 3, despite the franchise ultimately suffering a double-overtime defeat.
The rookie standout boasted an impressive 31-6-2 record during the regular season, earning the deep trust of his teammates.
“He’s just confident in his ability to be a good goalie,” said Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook.
“Obviously, the confidence he gained throughout the regular season, knowing that he can win and win often, it definitely helps.”
Andersen’s struggles prompt rotation
The 36-year-old Andersen had started 16 consecutive playoff games before being made a healthy scratch earlier in the week.
The veteran stopper has endured a sharp decline in form against Vegas, conceding 12 goals on 65 shots for an .815 save percentage in the Final.
Brind’Amour revealed that giving his primary netminder a complete rest was a deliberate tactical decision aimed at providing a necessary physical and mental reset.
“If you’re going to give him a break, you need to give him a break,” Brind’Amour explained.
“So to me, him dressing and going through all that is just not really giving him a night off.”
Andersen participated in an early individual skate on Thursday, but it remains unclear whether he or Pyotr Kochetkov will serve as the backup for the crucial fifth game.
The Vegas Golden Knights are aiming to regain control of the Stanley Cup Final and bounce back from a Game 4 defeat when they face the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh.
Despite failing to land a knockout blow with their series lead on Tuesday, the Western Conference champions remain completely undaunted.
The visiting side boast an impressive 6-2 postseason record on the road and have already tasted victory at PNC Arena.
A wealth of championship experience within the locker room has fostered a strong sense of confidence heading into the final stages of the series.
Vegas defenceman Shea Theodore believes past challenges will serve the squad well in this crucial fixture.
We have a lot of guys that have gone on some long playoff runs. We’ve had some tough series. We’ve gone into some really tough building to play. We’re looking forward to getting back at it.
Igniting the Eichel line
Executing their championship game plan relies heavily on rejuvenating star centre Jack Eichel.
The American forward has registered just two assists and a minus-three rating across the opening four games of the Final.
His primary assists arrived during the first and third encounters, correlating directly with crucial victories for the franchise.
Carolina’s defensive strategy, spearheaded by Jaccob Slavin and Jalen Chatfield, has effectively neutralised the dynamic playmaker.
The Golden Knights are controlling a mere 38.7% of shot attempts when their primary attacking trio is on the ice.
Eichel’s got a lot of speed. He’s a dynamic player, can make a lot of plays out there and then you have two guys who can shoot the pocket on his wings. It really is just playing hard on him.
Tactical shifts and reunited partnerships
In response to this offensive stagnation, head coach John Tortorella has opted for a significant tactical shuffle.
Veteran winger Mark Stone has been elevated to the top line to operate alongside the struggling pivot and Ivan Barbashev.
Reuniting this partnership could prove decisive, as the trio averaged 4.6 goals per 60 minutes together during the regular season.
While the marquee centre ranks second in team playoff scoring with 20 points, his recent goalscoring form remains a genuine concern.
The former Buffalo Sabre has found the net only three times in his last 34 postseason appearances, a stark contrast to his impressive 27 regular-season goals.