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Roundtable: Evaluating the Toronto Maple Leafs Coaching Change

By Wilbert Timmermans

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on from the bench during a game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The game was Keefe's first game as an NHL head coach. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on from the bench during a game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The game was Keefe's first game as an NHL head coach. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 29: Toronto Maple Leafs center William Nylander #88 skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on October 29, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 29: Toronto Maple Leafs center William Nylander #88 skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on October 29, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /

James Tanner

Mike Babcock is a terrible coach, whose abilities are at odds with his reputation.

Maybe he was a good coach once upon a time, but by today’s standards he’s a relic.  Yelling at people, treating them badly, and using humiliation as a power tactic might have been good tactics back when Charles Dickens was writing novels, but those things have been outdated since before I was even born.

If it came out tomorrow that Mike Babock also believes in phrenology, I wouldn’t bat an eye.

Don’t give me any crap about ‘sensitive millennials’ because anyone with any background in education for the last 30 or 40 years knows this kind of bullying garbage has only negative effects.

Babcock won a Cup with a hall of fame roster. If he’s so good, how come that’s all he won?

His awful personality aside, it’s been clear for quite sometime he wasn’t a good strategic coach for the modern error.  From overplaying Patrick Marleau to refusing to acquiesce to the philosophy of his general manager, it’s been clear since the day Kyle Dubas was hired over Lou Lamoriello (he wanted to stay on) and Mark Hunter that his days were numbered.

As the guy who wrote (as far as I know) the first Time to Fire Babcock story last March, I’ve got to say, I was right then, and I’m right now.

Laying Out the Case Against Babcock. dark. Next

From his personality to his in game strategy, and his refusal to adjust (anything, ever) firing Babcock was the right move.  The reveals in the last couple days about his antics only strengthen the case.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were right to switch coaches.

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