On a recent Donnie and Dhali, Canucks analyst Don Taylor and insider Rick Dhaliwal discussed a controversial Green replacement. Former Toronto Maple Leafs coach and current University of Saskatchewan coach Mike Babcock would be the successor.
Taylor was the first to mention Babcock's name, and while he looked amenable to the notion, Dhaliwal was not. The insider said the Canucks' ownership is unwilling to pay huge money on a coach.
What makes Taylor's statement so intriguing is that Babcock is also at a career crossroads. After being sacked by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Babcock's reputation took a knock, and Taylor even called him "damaged goods" while arguing that he could end up in Vancouver.
Babcock is still paid by the Toronto Maple Leafs and may be prepared to take a pay cut to get back into the game and reestablish his NHL reputation. It's unclear if Babcock, who presently coaches with his son in Saskatchewan, would consider it.
