The Toronto Maple Leafs may very well have a new coach behind the bench when next season begins.
Earlier this week, I asked you all to let me know your opinion on the future of Mike Babcock. In the days following the Maple Leafs’ heartbreaking and gutting Game Seven loss to the Bruins, talk around Babcock’s role in their demise hit a fever pitch.
Personally, I was, and continue to be, of the opinion that his time as Maple Leafs head coach has run its course.
This isn’t to say that Babcock is a bad coach. Not in the slightest. Babcock was the perfect stabilizing force for which to guide Toronto through a top-to-bottom rebuild upon his arrival. But that was all the way back in 2015. Now that the team has officially entered into a firm contention window, and the clock ticks faster than ever, Babcock’s out-dated idea of what “winning hockey” simply does not seem to align with the overall vision of Kyle Dubas.
But it doesn’t matter what I think.
What Do You Think?
I asked for your opinions and, boy, you did not disappoint. Here are some of the more notable answers.
Kojack’s Cousin
“In an ideal world, we can somehow trade Babcock for Trotz or Gallant. He is consistently outcoached, and either cannot, or will not, think outside the box. Is Keefe ready? It’s a question I asked Mike in his column about the Marlies. If not, then if another intelligent and player-oriented coach is available, wave bye bye to Babs. Heck, I’d gladly take Cassidy or Torts also.
I think Babcock has taken this team as far as HE can take them. They need a true players coach with fresh and flexible ideas. I don’t know if Keefe is NHL ready, or if he ever will be, but one thing is true: he knows these young Leafs and has had success with them. The players respect him.
Does anyone honestly believe that Matthews, Marner, along with many others respect Babcock? I know that I don’t believe that. I can see Dubas wanting to move on from him. Babcock’s record in the last nine playoff series. ..1 lowly win. 1. That’s NOT the players.”
frank
“After hearing Dubas press conference today I’m concerned. I’m not sure he will change his philosophy. I’m expecting more of the same from him small players that are skilled. We have them need to compliment with some size.”
Johnny be Rotten
“IMO, Dubas was given his shot at playing a high flying, fast break style of hockey, with little attention paid to the obvious question marks that the Leafs had after last season, which to me were fairly obvious; A top 4 RHD (Manson, Pesce, anyone else) to solidify the back end, and a solid 4th line centre, to make your 4th line a high tempo, grinding line, to wear other teams down. Dubas philosophy was modelled after the Tampa Bay template, and we all witnessed what happened to their high powered offence, in the close checking postseason! Based upon the fact that the Leafs were a sub .500 team for more than half the season, I would suggest that Dubas philosophy didn’t work as well as it was expected to.
I guess you could say that Muzzin is your top 4 defencemen, but the Achilles heel has always been the right side, and he doesn’t play it! Gauthier, although he played better this year than last year, still isn’t a quality 4th line centre. He is a monster of a man, who doesn’t use his greatest asset, his size, to his advantage.
I say let Bab’s have the team he wants and was asking for, as long as you aren’t mortgaging the future to build out the team with the core pieces you already have, and see what he does with it. If he can’t make things happen with the players he thinks he needs to get the job done, then you show him the door. Easy Peezy!”
KimNB
“So Babcock knows Hyman can’t take faceoffs effectively with his injury. Sends him out to get out on penalty kill faceoffs. The man is incapable of making adjustments on the fly. Increasingly believe we can’t succeed with him.”
afp1961
“He’s worth bringing back but needs assistants that can lead both the PP and PK. With our talent it’s absolutely criminal we cannot be in the top five in both categories.”
Once again, thank you all for your intelligent and passionate submissions on this topic. Tracking Babcock’s job security will be one of the most interesting developments of the entire offseason and, even if he ultimately stays, the Maple Leafs team that dropped a second consecutive Game Seven to Boston on Tuesday night will assuredly look different come October.
Do you like the What Do You Think? series? Let me know if you do, and I’ll start making it a regular thing.
Thanks for reading!