The Oilers are looking into hiring Mike Babcock as head coach; the Kings will reportedly name Peter Laviolette as their new bench boss; the latest on the Golden Knights and Hurricanes; and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: Darren Dreger reported the Edmonton Oilers are consulting with the NHL Players’ Association to see if there are any objections to be resolved before potentially hiring Mike Babcock as their new head coach.

Former Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Mike Babcock (NHL Images).

According to Dreger, if an investigation is required, sources say the league will manage it. The NHLPA has declined to comment.

Dreger’s colleague, Ryan Rishaug, reported members of the Oilers’ leadership group recently spoke directly to Babcock about the possibility of becoming their new coach.

The Columbus Blue Jackets hired Babcock as their new bench boss in the summer of 2023. However, he stepped down before the 2023-24 season following allegations that he asked players to show him personal photos from their phones, sparking concerns about invasion of the players’ privacy.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting sources claim that Babcock has directly spoken with Oilers owner Daryl Katz. He also stated that Babcock spoke with several members of the team’s leadership group.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers insider Bob Stauffer also reported that the Oilers are interested in hiring Babcock. “From ownership, to management, to the players, (Mike Babcock) is the selection for the Edmonton Oilers hockey club,” Stauffer said.

Babcock had a history of mistreating players during his tenures with the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Oilers’ interest in him isn’t going down well with some Edmonton pundits, who believe the unavailability of former Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy has pushed them toward Babcock.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: The Kings are reportedly set to hire Peter Laviolette as their new head coach. While the club hasn’t made it official yet, Laviolette is expected to sign a three-year contract with the Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings would be Laviolette’s seventh NHL team in his 23-season coaching career. He guided the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup in 2006. He also coached the Philadelphia Flyers (2010) and Nashville Predators (2017) to the Stanley Cup Final, and the New York Rangers to the Presidents’ Trophy in 2023-24.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Golden Knights enter Game 4 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final holding a 2-1 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes.

A strong camaraderie among the Vegas Golden Knights players helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2023. The same vibe permeates their dressing room in this postseason.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Hurricanes have yet to name their starting goaltender for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday.

Brandon Bussi relieved starter Frederik Andersen in Game 3 after the latter allowed four goals in the second period. Bussi backstopped the Hurricanes’ third-period comeback before they fell 5-4 in double overtime.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The speculation grew on Monday after Andersen missed practice for a maintenance day.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The annual Montreal Sports Celebrity Evening turned into an impromptu farewell party for Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher, who was honored on Sunday as Sports Personality of the Year.

Gallagher, 34, told reporters last week that he would be moving on from the Canadiens. His performance declined this season, leading to a reduction in his playing time. He was a healthy scratch for all but three of the Canadiens’ 19 playoff games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gallagher has expressed an interest in being traded to his hometown of Vancouver. He confirmed that the Canadiens have permitted his agent to speak with other teams to facilitate a trade. I’ll have more about that in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Plano, Texas city council voted to approve a $700 million funding plan for a new arena for the Dallas Stars, who currently reside at American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas.