Shocking allegations of Mike Babcock's treatment of Mitch Marner emerge
Mike Babcock will likely never return to the NHL, and for good reason - his abrasive and rude style no longer aligns with the league, especially with Mitch Marner.
A story has now emerged, notably about the day Mike Babcock told Mitch Marner he would be sent back to juniors - the same day that he was making his NHL debut; in fact, during the game:
A little more than a month after signing with the Leafs, Babcock tried to influence who the team would take with its first pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, according to multiple team sources.
Mark Hunter, the Leafs assistant general manager, lobbied for Mitchell Marner of the OHL's London Knights, which Hunter co-owns. Babcock made it clear to others in the team's hockey operations that he wanted a different player. Despite Babcock's objections, the Leafs selected Marner fourth overall.
After the first period of Marner's first preseason game, Babcock approached him in the tunnel and abruptly told him he was being sent back to junior — rather than sharing the news in a private meeting. Babcock's approach, relaying the disappointing news after a single period, was viewed by some in the organization as unprofessional and callous.
Mark Hunter, the Leafs assistant general manager, lobbied for Mitchell Marner of the OHL's London Knights, which Hunter co-owns. Babcock made it clear to others in the team's hockey operations that he wanted a different player. Despite Babcock's objections, the Leafs selected Marner fourth overall.
After the first period of Marner's first preseason game, Babcock approached him in the tunnel and abruptly told him he was being sent back to junior — rather than sharing the news in a private meeting. Babcock's approach, relaying the disappointing news after a single period, was viewed by some in the organization as unprofessional and callous.
This is a truly horrible tale, and probably caused a lot of pain for Mitch Marner, who was only 18 at the time. We can all be thankful that Mike Babcock is no longer in the NHL.
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| POLL | ||
MAI 31 | 174 ANSWERS Shocking allegations of Mike Babcock's treatment of Mitch Marner emerge Do you think Mike Babcock's treatment of Mitch Marner was unfair? | ||
| Yes | 108 | 62.1 % |
| No | 66 | 37.9 % |
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NOVEMBER 19, 2025
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| Connor McMichael | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Jackson Blake | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Joel Farabee | 2 | - | 2 | |
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| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Red Wings | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
| Bruins | 22 | 12 | 10 | - | 24 | |
| Canadiens | 19 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 23 | |
| Lightning | 19 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 22 | |
| Senators | 19 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 22 | |
| Panthers | 19 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 21 | |
| Maple Leafs | 20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 20 | |
| Sabres | 20 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 18 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 20 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 28 | |
| Devils | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
| Penguins | 19 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 24 | |
| Islanders | 20 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 24 | |
| Capitals | 20 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 22 | |
| Blue Jackets | 20 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 22 | |
| Rangers | 21 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 22 | |
| Flyers | 18 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 21 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 19 | 13 | 1 | 5 | 31 | |
| Stars | 20 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 27 | |
| Jets | 19 | 12 | 7 | - | 24 | |
| Blackhawks | 19 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 24 | |
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| Mammoth | 20 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 23 | |
| Blues | 20 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 17 | |
| Predators | 20 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 16 | |
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| Ducks | 20 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 27 | |
| Golden Knights | 19 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 24 | |
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COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||