Mike Babcock will be the Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach next year
After recent speculation surrounding Mike Babcock and his future as the Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach, Kyle Dubas put an end to these rumours on Monday.
According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager stated that the Leafs management staff is “all in on Mike and Mike is all in” on the club.
Since signing an eight-year $50 million dollar contract in the spring of 2015, Mike Babcock has led the Toronto Maple Leafs to a .563 winning percentage in 328 regular season games, and three postseason berths in four years. (Stats and info from https://www.hockey-reference.com/)
Leafs Eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoffs
After the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs two weeks ago at the hands of the Boston Bruins, many felt that Mike Babcock’s days in Toronto were numbered. The loss to the Bruins in Game Seven meant that for a third straight year, the Toronto Maple Leafs failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs and waves of passionate Toronto Maple Leafs fans voiced their displeasure by calling for his head.
In particular, fans were displeased with Babcock’s unwillingness to adapt throughout the series and for limiting Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares’ ice time when the team was trailing.
Never tweeted this before. Never meant this before.
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) April 24, 2019
Fire Mike Babcock.
The team can't win with him. "But actually" me all you want. Roast me into oblivion. I could not care less. You know it's true. Goodnight. Glad you enjoyed another wasted Leafs season.
Terrific defensive team performance by the Bruins, Tuukka Rask, and Mike Babcock tonight pic.twitter.com/zaFtGG3i5z
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) April 24, 2019
End of Season Press Conference
While much of the speculation surrounding Babcock’s future in Toronto was spurred on by fans, the belief that Babcock’s time in Toronto may have come to an end when his club was ousted from the playoffs by the Bruins, became more real at the team’s end of season press conference.
On April 25th, two days after the Toronto Maple Leafs season came to an end, Dubas would not guarantee that his job was safe, let alone Babcocks, stating “With how fluid the situation is, I wouldn’t give any guarantee with anyone in our organization, starting with me.”
More recently, speculation around the NHL that Mike Babcock could be leaving Toronto further intensified with the rumour and later announcement that former Detroit Red Wings GM, Ken Holland, signed a contract to be the Edmonton Oilers next general manager.
Not only did Edmonton appear to be an attractive fit for Babcock because of his experience in working with Holland in Detroit, but because of his relationship with Oilers CEO, Bob Nicholson. Nicholson and Babcock worked together on a number of occasions in the past with Hockey Canada.
Not to mention, the possibility of coaching Connor McDavid also made Edmonton an attractive team for Babcock.
With today’s announcement by Kyle Dubas, all speculation surrounding Babcock’s future has been put to rest.
While there is no doubt that his time in Toronto has been successful, his inability to lead the team past the first round has certainly led many to question if he is the right coach. Although it should be pointed out here that in the first two seasons the Leafs were eliminated in the first round, they were rebuilding and not even generally expected to be a playoff team.
Babcock’s position is secure for now, as he will be returning behind the bench for next season, but has his margin for error decreased and leash shortened? Only time will tell.