NHLPA, Jackets players meet amid probe into Babcock phone claims - ESPN

Two NHLPA executives met with Columbus Blue Jackets players Thursday to investigate whether coach Mike Babcock violated players' privacy when he asked to see photos on their cellphones, union officials told ESPN.

Marty Walsh, NHLPA executive director, and assistant executive director Ron Hainsey, who played three seasons with Columbus (2005-08), met with Blue Jackets players at Nationwide Arena after a morning skate. The NHLPA's trip to Columbus wasn't previously planned and was specifically made to further look into allegations against Babcock, who was hired to coach the Jackets in July.

Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette said on Tuesday's edition of the «Spittin' Chiclets» podcast that Babcock asked Columbus captain Boone Jenner to show him his camera roll before displaying those photos via AirPlay on the coach's office wall.

«Enough with putting guys on the spot in the coaches room asking them to link their phones up to airplay mode and grilling them. I've had tons of players confirm it,» said Bissonnette after the episode was released.

Jenner wasn't alone. Blue Jackets star forward Johnny Gaudreau confirmed to ESPN he had also shown Babcock photos that were on his phone per the coach's request.

Former NHL defenseman Mike Commodore, who played for Babcock and has been a long-standing critic of the coach, said he heard this behavior also occurred during Babcock's time coaching the Toronto Maple Leafs.

«It happened with a few other players in Columbus too. I don't want to use any names, but in particular [it involved] a young, very highly touted prospect,» said Commodore in a video posted to X.

A source told ESPN the Blue Jackets have welcomed the NHLPA investigation to determine if there was any wrongdoing by Babcock.