Mike Babcock just got a strong endorsement for the Oilers job, this time from prominent agent Dan Milstein.
The quote, relayed via the post, was direct. "I personally think that Mike is one of the greatest coaches in this game," Milstein said.
He went further on the character question. "I have never had any issues, and none of my clients have had any issues with Babcock," adding that the coach has worked with many of his players.
That matters because of who's saying it. Milstein represents a large client list, and his voice carries real weight in the agent world.
It's a pointed, named defense of how Babcock treats players. But it lands in a divided conversation.
The endorsement is the latest data point in a debate that keeps swinging.
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Milstein's praise clashes with an earlier agent warning
Because not every agent sees it this way. Earlier, one told Jason Gregor that a Babcock hire could dim Edmonton's free-agent appeal, with clients voicing concern.
So the player and agent community isn't of one mind. One prominent rep vouches for him. Another, anonymously, warns of hesitation. Both can be true.
All of it unfolds against the backdrop that matters most. The NHLPA requested an investigation into privacy allegations, which remain unproven and under review, and Andy Strickland reported a resolution may be close.
The expectation has been leaning one way. Several insiders expect Babcock cleared and hired, with Frank Seravalli the notable skeptic. Endorsements like Milstein's add momentum to that side.
Here's my read, with the care it needs. Milstein's defense is genuine and notable. Players who've thrived under Babcock vouching for him is meaningful, not nothing.
But it doesn't erase the concerns others have raised, and the ruling still has to come first. The honest picture is a divide, not a consensus.
That split mirrors the larger debate around the whole situation. Smart, credible people land on opposite sides.
Whether Babcock ends up in Edmonton hinges on the league's decision, not on any one endorsement. Voices like Milstein's tilt the public conversation. The ruling is what actually settles it.
Does Milstein's endorsement change how you view a Babcock hire?
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