NHLPA meet with NHL officials to discuss Columbus Blue Jackets coach Mike Babcock’s interactions with players
The NHL Players’ Association is reviewing the situation with Columbus Blue Jackets coach Mike Babcock after it came to light earlier this week that he asked players to show him photos on their phone.
The union nevertheless launched a review, with new executive director Marty Walsh meeting with Blue Jackets players in Columbus on Thursday. On Friday, Walsh, assistant Ron Hainsey and general counsel Don Zavelo met with NHL officials at the league office in New York to provide them with an update. Babcock’s conduct is being scrutinized because of past reports of some polarizing old-school coaching techniques, including asking Maple Leafs player Mitch Marner to list teammates from hardest- to least-hardest working. That, and other criticism of Babcock, surfaced when he was fired in 2019 by Toronto.