RICHARD GIBSON: For much of the past fortnight, the question on everyone's lips was whether Ben Stokes had a future as Test captain.

The Edmonton Oilers hired Mike Babcock on Tuesday, clearing the way for the polarizing taskmaster to coach his first NHL game in more than six years after the NHL cleared him following an investigation into his aborted 2023 stint in Columbus.Babcock is now in charge of trying to get Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl a Stanley Cup championship after two of the best hockey players in the league have fallen short over the past decade. D.J. Smith, who was most recently the interim replacement in Los Angeles after Jim Hiller was fired and ran the bench in Ottawa from 2019-23, was named an associate coach. Smith was an assistant under Babcock in Toronto.Babcock has not coached a game in the league since being fired by the Maple Leafs 23 games into the 2019-20 season.Babcock, 63, has championship experience from coaching Detroit to the Cup in 2008. He made two other trips to the final, with Anaheim in 03 and when the Red Wings went again in 09 and lost to Pittsburgh. He also guided Canada to back-to-back Olympic goal medals in 2010 and '14.Babcock also brings baggage.He stepped down from the Blue Jackets' job before training camp in September 2023 after taking the job on July 1. At the time, Babcocks requests for personal photos from players in an attempt to get to know them drew criticism as an invasion of privacy.When word emerged that Edmonton was interested in hiring Babcock, the NHL Players' Association asked the league to review what happened three years ago. The NHL in a statement said it found nothing to prevent him from being employed by a team.Former players have spoken out about Babcock's old-school tendencies that some say can be considered bullying.A report surfaced after the Maple Leafs fired Babcock that he had asked Mitch Marner to share his ranking of teammates from hardest- to least-hardest working and then shared that with the rest of the group. Former Red Wings player Johan Franzen told a Swedish outlet that Babcock was the worst person he had ever met and said at one point he was terrified to go to the rink.Retired defenseman Mike Commodore, who played for Babcock briefly in 2011 in Detroit, spoke out this spring.I dont want to hear another word about how important mental health is for us when you literally just paved the way, cleared the way for Mike Babcock to get another opportunity in the NHL and put him in another position of power where he can abuse people, Commodore said on the Clearing the Crease podcast.Daniel Winnik, who played for Babcock in 2015-16 with the Leafs, last week called him the only guy that's ever made me hate hockey.I just hated coming to the rink, Winnik said on TSN 1050 radio in Toronto. "He's just a bully."Kris Knoblauch, who coached Edmonton to consecutive trips to the Cup final in 2024 and 25, was fired May 14 a decision announced after news leaked that the Oilers had been denied permission by division rival Vegas to interview 2023 Cup-winning coach Bruce Cassidy, whom the Golden Knights fired on March 30 with eight games left in the regular season. Cassidy remains under contract for one more year. The Oilers instead turned to Babcock, whose 700 regular season and 90 playoff victories rank 12th and 10th, respectively, in NHL history.___AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

The Edmonton Oilers hired Mike Babcock on Tuesday, clearing the way for the polarizing taskmaster to coach his first NHL game in more than six years after the NHL cleared him following an investigation into his aborted 2023 stint in Columbus.Babcock is now in charge of trying to get Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl a Stanley Cup championship after two of the best hockey players in the league have fallen short over the past decade. D.J. Smith, who was most recently the interim replacement in Los Angeles after Jim Hiller was fired and ran the bench in Ottawa from 2019-23, was named an associate coach. Smith was an assistant under Babcock in Toronto.Babcock has not coached a game in the league since being fired by the Maple Leafs 23 games into the 2019-20 season.Babcock, 63, has championship experience from coaching Detroit to the Cup in 2008. He made two other trips to the final, with Anaheim in 03 and when the Red Wings went again in 09 and lost to Pittsburgh. He also guided Canada to back-to-back Olympic goal medals in 2010 and '14.Babcock also brings baggage.He stepped down from the Blue Jackets' job before training camp in September 2023 after taking the job on July 1. At the time, Babcocks requests for personal photos from players in an attempt to get to know them drew criticism as an invasion of privacy.When word emerged that Edmonton was interested in hiring Babcock, the NHL Players' Association asked the league to review what happened three years ago. The NHL in a statement said it found nothing to prevent him from being employed by a team.Former players have spoken out about Babcock's old-school tendencies that some say can be considered bullying.A report surfaced after the Maple Leafs fired Babcock that he had asked Mitch Marner to share his ranking of teammates from hardest- to least-hardest working and then shared that with the rest of the group. Former Red Wings player Johan Franzen told a Swedish outlet that Babcock was the worst person he had ever met and said at one point he was terrified to go to the rink.Retired defenseman Mike Commodore, who played for Babcock briefly in 2011 in Detroit, spoke out this spring.I dont want to hear another word about how important mental health is for us when you literally just paved the way, cleared the way for Mike Babcock to get another opportunity in the NHL and put him in another position of power where he can abuse people, Commodore said on the Clearing the Crease podcast.Daniel Winnik, who played for Babcock in 2015-16 with the Leafs, last week called him the only guy that's ever made me hate hockey.I just hated coming to the rink, Winnik said on TSN 1050 radio in Toronto. "He's just a bully."Kris Knoblauch, who coached Edmonton to consecutive trips to the Cup final in 2024 and 25, was fired May 14 a decision announced after news leaked that the Oilers had been denied permission by division rival Vegas to interview 2023 Cup-winning coach Bruce Cassidy, whom the Golden Knights fired on March 30 with eight games left in the regular season. Cassidy remains under contract for one more year. The Oilers instead turned to Babcock, whose 700 regular season and 90 playoff victories rank 12th and 10th, respectively, in NHL history.___AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

Alan Shearer has questioned whether Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has the authority to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming the veteran forward's influence may be creating a major World Cup headache.Ronaldo endured a frustrating evening in Portugal's opening Group F encounter with DR Congo, producing a subdued display and failing to test the goalkeeper despite remaining on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, now 41, appeared well below his best, yet Martinez resisted making a change as Portugal were held to a disappointing draw.That decision prompted criticism from pundits and supporters alike, with some suggesting the former Belgium boss was reluctant to remove his biggest star.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayRonaldo's loyal supporters quickly rallied behind him, flooding the social media accounts of several Portugal players with messages accusing them of deliberately ignoring the striker and refusing to supply him with passes.Former England captain Shearer believes the situation is becoming increasingly problematic and fears Martinez may struggle to manage Ronaldo's role during the latter stages of his glittering career.Speaking to Betfair, the ex-England striker admitted he had concerns before the tournament even began."It was always a concern of mine if Ronaldo wasn't prepared to accept he may not start every game, and he certainly can't play every minute of every game," Shearer said."It looks as if that's the case."Whether Roberto Martinez is allowed to have a word with him and actually bring him off. Cristiano is that powerful. If he isn't prepared to understand he can't play every minute, then it won't work."Shearer insisted he would still include Ronaldo in Portugal's next match but believes Martinez must be prepared to act decisively if things are not going according to plan."I would start him in Portugal's next game, but if it doesn't work, I'd be telling him he has to come off," he added.LATEST SPORTS NEWS:Fifa ban commentator from World Cup after furious meltdownLionel Messi is ending the Cristiano Ronaldo debate at this summer's World CupThomas Tuchel makes complaint ahead of England and Ghana World Cup clash"That's what I mean though, it's whether he's allowed to be subbed because Cristiano is that powerful. It's really difficult."He's a global superstar who has done so well for so many years, but he hasn't scored for a while in a Portugal shirt and he's nowhere near his best."Martinez's relationship with Ronaldo has attracted further scrutiny after reports emerged that he has held discussions with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr over becoming their next manager following the World Cup.The Spaniard has already confirmed he will step down from his Portugal role once the tournament concludes.Ronaldo's sister, Katia Aveiro, also entered the debate after liking a social media post comparing Bruno Fernandes to Brazil winger Raphinha.She later posted on Instagram suggesting Portugal had "magically" forgotten how to pass, regain possession and launch counter-attacks.Portuguese journalist Vitor Pinto warned that the fierce defence of Ronaldo could threaten squad unity."It demonstrates the risk of a civil war within the national team," Pinto said."I do not believe there was any boycott against Cristiano Ronaldo."I repeat, there was no organised boycott against Cristiano Ronaldo within the national team."Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry also criticised Ronaldo's approach during the match, telling Fox that: "The team needs to score, not you need to score."Win two tickets to a FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final. ExpressVPN are giving one lucky Friend or Member the chance to experience football's biggest tournament live, with flights and accommodation covered by GB News. Entries close 30 June. ENTER HERE.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

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