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Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Mike Babcock’s Future

By Mike Stephens

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 23: Head Coach Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs returns to the loser room after the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Scotiabank Arena on February 23, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 23: Head Coach Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs returns to the loser room after the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Scotiabank Arena on February 23, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 16: Head coach Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs shakes hands with referee Brad Watson #23 and linesman Lonnie Cameron #74 during a game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on February 16, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 16: Head coach Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs shakes hands with referee Brad Watson #23 and linesman Lonnie Cameron #74 during a game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on February 16, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /

D.J. Llewellyn

There is no way that Mike Babcock would be fired if the Leafs don’t beat Boston this year.

As much as it would stink for the team not to get over that hump, the reality is the Leafs are facing a really good team in the league’s strongest division. Babcock’s resume speaks for itself, so along with the previous reasons he’s not going anywhere this summer should the team fail to make it past the first round. No matter how much he makes some questionable lineup and ice time decisions, no matter how much he opts to line match or has the team stretch passing and no matter how many times Hainsey, Zaitsev or Brown play significant minutes (or many more than they should) Babcock isn’t going anywhere.

I do think, however, if something similar happens next season, especially with some improvements to the defence, that conversation will take place. Unless that happens, I don’t see Babcock headed anywhere.

Our defence and special teams are largely coached by his assistants anyways – other guys who certainly could take the fall first if necessary.

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