Edmonton Oilers are set to announce the team's next head coach

The NHL's investigation into Babcock is expected to produce no disciplinary outcome, clearing the path between him and the Edmonton bench.

The Oilers had already pursued Bruce Cassidy, but the Vegas Golden Knights blocked that interview - Cassidy remains under contract for 2026-27, and the NHL confirmed before the Stanley Cup Final that Vegas is within its rights to protect him from divisional rivals.

Cassidy was always the preferred option - a Stanley Cup-winning coach with proven credentials in the Western Conference.

Babcock is the only door left open after every other avenue closed.

Stan Bowman was reinstated by the NHL in 2024 following a three-year ban over Chicago's mishandling of the Kyle Beach assault case.

The Oilers hired him as general manager anyway.

Now Bowman is the decision-maker on Babcock, whose own investigation is expected to end without consequence.

Edmonton has deliberately constructed its leadership around figures who returned from league-level scrutiny.

That is the actual story of this hire - not scheme, not roster fit, not relationships inside the locker room.

It is how this franchise has chosen to define itself during the McDavid era.

The Oilers finished 41-30-11 this season and lost to the Anaheim Ducks in six first-round games.

Connor McDavid posted 138 points - the scoring was never the problem.

Leon Draisaitl carries a $14 million cap hit alongside McDavid's $12.5 million. Whoever coaches this team inherits a loaded roster and a championship window that is not getting wider.

Babcock brings two Stanley Cups and 700 career wins - the résumé is real and defensible.

Whether a locker room this charged responds to his coaching methods is the question Edmonton cannot fully answer in advance.