After allegations were brought forward by former NHLer and current NHL on TNT analyst Paul Bissonnette that Mike Babcock was asking players to show him photos on their phones, the NHL and NHLPA opened an investigation. Babcock, along with Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau stated that there were no issues with Babcock's request and it appeared things were going to continue as normal. However, over the previous 72 hours, younger players reported they had felt uncomfortable with the request.
That led to the NHLPA visiting Columbus and continuing their investigation and then meeting with the NHL. Following their meeting which was scheduled prior to the allegations, but the Babcock situation became the forefront, it would appear that there was no way forward for Babcock to continue as Head Coach in Columbus. Babcock, according to Elliotte Friedman, Babcock will be resigning from his position.
Babcock was hired July 1st, immediately following his contract expiring with the Leafs, who fired him in November 2019. Babcock had remained out of the limelight since being removed from behind the Leaf bench, for the most part anyways, but has been thrust back into it and will not step behind the bench in Columbus.
