The momentum around Mike Babcock and the Oilers is building, with several insiders now expected to land him in Edmonton. One notable voice isn't convinced.
A roundup from the account Bleed Oil Blue framed it. Per that summary, Elliotte Friedman, David Pagnotta, Darren Dreger and Jeff Marek all believe Babcock will be cleared by the NHL's investigation and become Edmonton's next coach.
Take it for what it is, though. That's a fan account characterizing where those insiders reportedly lean, not an official confirmation. Treat it as sentiment, not a signed deal.
And the room isn't unanimous. Frank Seravalli isn't convinced, and he thinks Babcock won't end up behind Edmonton's bench.
So there's a split, even if the consensus tilts one way.
The roundup captures a debate that's clearly heating up.
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Seravalli is the dissent, and the ruling isn't done
Remember what this hangs on. Babcock is tangled in an NHLPA-requested investigation over allegations he invaded players' privacy in Columbus. Those allegations are unproven and under review.
A ruling is what everyone is waiting on. Friedman had reported the league wants to resolve it quickly, and if it clears Babcock, the path to Edmonton opens fast.
The alternatives have thinned too. Nick Kypreos reported Vegas would block Bruce Cassidy from joining a Pacific rival like the Oilers, which narrows Stan Bowman's choices.
That's part of why the consensus tilts toward Babcock. Fewer options on the board makes him more likely almost by default.
But it wouldn't be a clean win even if cleared. An agent told Jason Gregor a Babcock hire could dim Edmonton's free-agent appeal, with clients voicing real concern. The questions don't vanish with a ruling.
Here's my read, with the caveat it needs. The smart money may well be on Babcock, but "insiders believe" is a long way from "it's official."
The ruling has to come first, and Seravalli's skepticism is a useful reminder that this isn't sealed. Predictions aren't verdicts.
If the consensus holds, Edmonton's endless search ends with a proven but polarizing coach beside Connor McDavid. If Seravalli's right, it's back to square one.
Either way, the league's decision settles it. And by every account, that decision is coming soon.
Will Mike Babcock end up as the Oilers head coach?
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