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Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Mike Babcock’s Future

By Mike Stephens

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 23: Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock taels to the media after Game 7 of the 2019 First Round Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 23, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 23: Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock taels to the media after Game 7 of the 2019 First Round Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 23, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 23: Head Coach Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs exits the ice after the Maple Leafs lost 5-1 to the Boston Bruins in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 23, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 23: Head Coach Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs exits the ice after the Maple Leafs lost 5-1 to the Boston Bruins in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 23, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Nick Barden

Kyle Dubas is in an interesting situation.

On one side, he is one of the most decorated coaches in NHL history. But, on the other side, he is one of the most stubborn coaches in the NHL. It’s not about what Kyle Dubas should do ‘with’ Babcock, but what should he give him.

I don’t see Babcock going anywhere this summer and if he does get the axe, it’ll be interesting to see who replaces him. But, it’s more than likely he stays and with that, I think it’s time to see an assistant coaching change.

DJ Smith and Jim Hiller have had their fair share of chances to help this team get to the success needed to win a cup, but with how poorly the special teams have been this season, we could potentially see Smith out this summer.

Smith has been rumoured to be in contact with the Ottawa Senators for a potential head coaching job, and it’s even been rumoured he could fit in Buffalo as well. For Hiller and the Leafs sake, I feel like it’d be a good time to part ways with him as well. If you get rid of one, or two of the assistant coaches, you could make room for the possibility of bringing Sheldon Keefe up for an assistant role, as many teams are looking at him to be an NHL head coach soon.

But for me, this is the last straw for Babcock. If he does well next season, he’ll be back. If not, the Leafs might look for the answers from someone else.

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