Former Maple Leaf Defends Mike Babcock
PUBLICATION
Tom Banks
August 22, 2023 (8:59 PM)
After being fired by the Maple Leafs back in 2019-20, Mike Babcock was seemingly done as an NHL coach, but now, he returns with the Columbus Blue Jackets, with fans giving a very mixed reaction.
Old-school style
While Babcock has had plenty of success in the NHL, making three Stanley Cup Finals and winning one as a coach, his old-school methods have no doubt been criticized, especially during his final tenure in Toronto.
Other coaches like Darryl Sutter have gone through the same thing, especially during his time in Calgary, but one former Maple Leafs has now stepped up and defended Babcock with optimism for his next stint in Columbus.
A new Babcock era
On the latest episode of the Raw Knuckles Podcast, former Maple Leaf Brad May defended Babcock, even suggesting a change is on the way with his style.
Here's the reason why they're excited, they're going to become better players. Babs is a hell of a coach, he's very prepared, maybe a little bit of an inability to connect to some of his players, and I'm sure over the last few years, there's a come to Jesus moment, where, hey I gotta treat people differently, the old school's out.
It appears as though the Blue Jackets are aware of this type of change too, or else they likely wouldn't have made the coaching choice, but with a talented young group, if he can finally connect with the players and adapt to the new-school approach, this move could pay off big time for the Blue Jackets.
If you do the steps necessary and you have the ability, are we all not looking for a second chance?. If my answer was no, Mike Babcock shouldn't be a coach in the NHL ever again, that's the most ignorant thing to say, in my opinion.
As Read on Blade of Steel - Former NHLer Defends Babcock and Explains Why he Deserves a Second Chance
| POLL |
Will Columbus make the playoffs during Babcock's tenure? |
| Yes | 447 | 47.9 % |
| No | 486 | 52.1 % |
| List of polls |
|
1 hour ago | By Chris Gerics Former Polarizing Leafs Forward Michael Bunting Breaks Silence After Scoring Game-Winner |
|
1 hour ago | By Chris Gerics Craig Berube's Strategy With Leafs Defenseman Is Paying Dividends |
|
3 hours ago | By Austin Kelly Toronto Maple Leafs Experiment With Young Forward Appears To Be Coming To An End |
|
4 hours ago | By Austin Kelly Former Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Placed on Waivers, Per Elliotte Friedman |
|
5 hours ago | By Austin Kelly Max Pacioretty Speaks Out on Blowing His Big Chance on the Top Line |
|
7 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Loss vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Exposed the Leafs' Most Vulnerable Spot in the Lineup |
|
10 hours ago | By Tyler Ball Sportsnet Disrespects Toronto Maple Leafs Star Forward Following 4 Nations Roster Announcement |
|
20 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Why the Toronto Maple Leafs Struggle to Win With Auston Matthews Since His Return |
Previously on HockeyPatrol
