After reports yesterday strongly suggested he would become the next coach of the Buffalo Sabres, Mike Babcock did a heel turn and is now set to become the next coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs per TSN’s Darren Dreger.
Sources say Mike Babcock has been hired by the Maple Leafs. Mammoth 8 yr contract believed to be around $50 million.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 20, 2015
Here’s how it all unfolded this afternoon.
Source say Mike Babcock has decided to leave the Detroit Red Wings. #TSN
— Aaron Ward (@TSNAaronWard) May 20, 2015
According to @TSNAaronWard, DET is out on Babcock. BUF is out. That leaves TOR, STL and SJ.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 20, 2015
Getting more of a sense that the Toronto Maple Leafs MAY end up being the final Mike Babcock destination. #TSN
— Aaron Ward (@TSNAaronWard) May 20, 2015
Source says Babcock told Blues 2 days ago he was out. Things change? If not, the Leafs may have won the sweepstakes
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 20, 2015
It's not San Jose, Sharks for sure are OUT on Babcock. Sharks focused on long list of other candidates right now
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) May 20, 2015
Detroit radio station is reporting #Leafs have offered Babcock $8 million a year! MLSE can afford it. But, wowser.
— Howard Berger (@Berger_BYTES) May 20, 2015
Babcock would be joining a team in the midst of a heavy rebuild, which would contradict his comments about wanting to join a team that was ready to win. Toronto does however, have a solid management team in place with Brendan Shanahan, Mark Hunter, Kyle Dubas and a yet to be named general manager. You have to think Babcock would have some sort of say on the roster, but that’s speculation.
The Leafs have also made strides in replenishing their farm system with William Nylander, Connor Brown and Brendan Leipsic all joining the Marlies this season. The club also has two first-round draft picks this year, one of which is the fourth overall pick, and the team has put an emphasis on building via the draft.
Toronto also has money, a lot of it. MLSE likely threw around a crazy number to Babcock that other teams couldn’t match. I highly doubt it was an obstacle. Although, it will be interesting to see how much money he received after getting a rumoured offer of more than $50 million from the Sabres.
Whatever the final numbers say, it’s quite the coup for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Babcock, by far, was the best available coaching option on the market. He’s had nothing but success in the NHL. This may be the start of the Leafs finally turning things around.
We’ll have more as the story develops.