Is Mike Babcock's NHL coaching career over?

The Toronto Maple Leafs kicked off the 2019-20 season with a rocky 9-10-4 start, prompting them to fire Mike Babcock. For many, news of his departure was a cause for celebration rather than a bittersweet moment.

Babcock has been an NHL coach since 1991 and guided the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup win in 2008. In May 2015, it was announced that Babcock was leaving the Red Wings and he signed an eight-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. His contract was for $50 million, making him the highest-paid coach in the NHL.

Players who were formerly coached by Babcock reminisce about their less-than-fond memories of him. Chris Chelios, former Red Wings defenseman, spoke up about Babcock's “verbal assault” on Johan Franzen during the 2012 playoffs. Franzen confirmed the story to Expressen, a Swedish newspaper, where he described Babcock as “a terrible person.”

Even more recently, four-time Stanley Cup champion Darren McCarty spoke to the podcast, “Locked on Red Wings,” about his opinion of Babcock. McCarty referred to Babcock as “one of those belittling guys.”

McCarty believes it is possible for Babcock to continue coaching with the NHL, but that it would require him to change.

“People are allowed to change,” McCarty said. “I think if his operating procedure's different, and he figures out a new way, does he deserve another chance? I believe he does, if he's changed.”

The droves of people applauding Babcock's downfall might not be as forgiving as McCarty. The negativity surrounding Mike Babcock will play a major role in whether or not another team pursues him for the upcoming season.

source: The Detroit News

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