Things have taken a turn regarding mystery Oilers player who reportedly doesn't want Mike Babcock hired

Mark Spector reported for Sportsnet that Mike Babcock was grilled by Edmonton's leaders last week about past transgressions.

They told GM Stan Bowman what he wanted to hear.

That endorsement was supposed to clear the path. Instead, it blew the situation wide open as many are now questioning whether there even is such mystery player.

Within days, the NHLPA formally asked the NHL to investigate Babcock before any hiring could proceed.

Darren Dreger of TSN confirmed the league is now moving ahead with that investigation into allegations from Babcock's brief stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023.

The timing matters. The leadership group went public with their backing, and players outside that inner circle had nowhere to go but the union.

The leadership group reportedly includes players like Zach Hyman, who has deep personal ties to Babcock.

Connor McDavid is believed to support the hire. But an unverified podcast report claimed an unnamed Oilers player said he would sit down with his agent to discuss options if Babcock becomes head coach.

That gap between the leadership council and the wider room is the real story here. Frank Seravalli reported the NHLPA has received "significant" additional claims from its investigation that were never made public in 2023.

Babcock resigned from Columbus before any formal review was completed. The union wants that unfinished business resolved before he coaches another NHL game.

Elliotte Friedman suggested on the 32 Thoughts podcast that the Oilers are likely to back off now that the investigation is real.

Edmonton is in win-now mode with McDavid's contract window closing. A coaching hire that triggers a league investigation before a contract is signed creates instability this franchise cannot afford.

The leadership group tried to fast-track this. The rest of the room slowed it down.