- Oct 31, 2007
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That last line is wild. That's basically the league telling Edmonton "Hey, this guy is an asshole, but if you want to hire him, we can't stop you."
Around The League 56: Edmonton Babs A Real ****
- Thread starter Blueline Bomber
- Start date
That last line is wild. That's basically the league telling Edmonton "Hey, this guy is an asshole, but if you want to hire him, we can't stop you."
TheReelChuckFletcher
Former TheRillestPaulFenton; Harverd Alum
This is wonderful stuff. Edmonton and Stan Bowman are actively sabotaging their team, potentially to the benefit of teams like us in a couple of years! 
bleedgreen
Registered User
I’m seeing that line different ways, not sure how to take it. Are they saying, “even if we interpret his actions the worst way possible….he still didn’t do anything to eliminate him from working here…”?
Because then it’s saying he really didn’t do anything wrong, and Cbus just went with public opinion. This whole incident has always had something weird about it. Not that I would generally defend the guy but it seemed there was an agenda against him led by the Chiclets podcast and former players that hated him. I always just wanted to know the truth. If he was mirroring his phone to the tv to show them his life and asked them to do the same to get to know each other….that just isn’t anything more than generational differences and this was all a huge bunch of BS. If there was something more….I want to hear it.
HEY STRANGER, WOULD YOU SHOW ME ALL THE PICS ON YOUR PHONE?
Come *on*, man. Are you that clueless? Would you let any person in your life see everything on your phone, let alone someone in a position of absolute authority over you? Hell to the f***in' naw.
The kids all have pr0n and n00dz now, bruh. Even in the most benign light, that was the dumbest f***ing grandpa idea I've ever heard.
Meh, I'm somewhere in the middle.
He got blasted for being a horrible guy in Toronto that treated people subhumanly. He "reflected" and when he got his second chance he decided he'd be more family oriented. "Show me who you're playing for, let's get to know each other as people" seems to me like a well-intentioned effort to adjust to the criticism.
You can also see how a group of players that weren't sold on the hire could make the story something it wasn't. Was it a grandpa move? Yes. But like a naive high school substitute teacher, it could very well have been a case of "who'd like to share a pic of their family from their phone" and the players turn it into "OMG HE'S ASKING FOR US TO SHOW OUR PICTURES FROM OUR PHONES WHAT A LOSER!"
Remember, he wasn't actually investigated the first time. He quit once the story came out, probably because he was like "f*** it, I tried to be the family guy, look what happened, I guess none of this is worth it, I'm out." So if the investigation found that "even in the worst light we don't see why he can't coach again" that's probably closer to what happened, IMO.
Now, would I hire him if I'm Edmonton? Hell no. I'd start a full on firestorm against the Knights and the league and get them to let me hire Cassidy. And if that doesn't work I'd pick almost anyone else before Babcock. But the Columbus story seemed much more benign than the Detroit & Toronto stuff to me at the time and the NHL investigation seems to lend some credence to that.
- Oct 31, 2007
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That is what they’re saying. But there’s a laundry list of things that are still questionable, but not technically something the league can bar you from being hired for.
Apparently the phone thing wasn’t what cause Columbus to let him go. Apparently something specifically with Patrick Laine was what was the final straw.
New bombshell report directly links star player to Mike Babcock investigation
A prominent NHL player is now reportedly tied to the case.
- Oct 31, 2007
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Reminder that Toronto WAS his second chance. He was treating people subhumanly in Detroit well before he did it in Toronto.
Finlandia WOAT
Rod's Machine Never Breaks
- May 23, 2010
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What are the actual circumstances in which the League can literally stop a team from hiring someone? Is there even any clause or language that allows such a thing?
I may have missed that - were allegations already out there that the league investigated and such prior to Toronto hiring him? I thought all of this came out as he was leaving Toronto, even the Detroit stuff.
- Oct 31, 2007
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Even prior to being hired by the Leafs, there were players who spoke out about how he treated them and their teammates. Commodore, for one, has been banging that drum for as long as I can remember. Now, did the League investigate the allegations by these players? I don’t believe so. But he’s been tormenting players for almost two decades now. It’s unbelievable that he’s still getting work.
DaveG
Noted Jerk
Commodore and Franzen were known issues when he was on the way to Toronto, as was keeping Modano from 1500 games. People just chose not to care (probably because he coached a loaded Wings team to the cup and was on the way to Toronto, two sizable enough fanbases to drown out any legit criticism) and simply claimed that Commie was a mediocre player that couldn't come to terms that his career was ending.
- Oct 31, 2007
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I think Babcock is a fine coach for a team that’s already stacked with talent. It’s when he got the Cup (though arguably that Wings roster should have had more than one) and why he was picked over and over again for Team Canada.
But if he isn’t coaching a team that’s built like an EA sports roster? Any player that isn’t a superstar is targeted by him.
But if he isn’t coaching a team that’s built like an EA sports roster? Any player that isn’t a superstar is targeted by him.
CanesUltimate11
Registered User
I mean kinda hard to keep him out if they let Quenneville back in.
We just watched a team with "no stars" win an inspiring championship because 20+ guys played like a family, committed to working hard and winning for each other, every single night.
If Edmonton wants to prove that they can win with a culture of fear instead, let them, I say. Everybody needs a good villain.
If Edmonton wants to prove that they can win with a culture of fear instead, let them, I say. Everybody needs a good villain.
bleedgreen
Registered User
Is that what he really asked? Or did he ask if they had any pics of whatever. Their families. Places they love. Yes, if someone asked me to do that I’d throw up some pics. I think it’s a great way to get to know people if everyone is on board. No, I wouldn’t hand over my phone and I’d be surprised if that’s what was asked.
Also, I’m asking what really happened. Not defending blindly whatever did happen. I get why some people would be weirded out, but I would take it as a generational misunderstanding. Not a fireable offense. If someone complained I’d tell him to let it go and do something different.
bleedgreen
Registered User
And that’s the stuff I want to know. If we need to take grandpa through a boundaries class because of how people are about their phones, fine. Firing him for it didn’t really add up to me unless there’s more. Well hopefully hear what really happened.That is what they’re saying. But there’s a laundry list of things that are still questionable, but not technically something the league can bar you from being hired for.
Apparently the phone thing wasn’t what cause Columbus to let him go. Apparently something specifically with Patrick Laine was what was the final straw.
New bombshell report directly links star player to Mike Babcock investigation
A prominent NHL player is now reportedly tied to the case.sports.yahoo.com
bleedgreen
Registered User
Meh. I think the story why has already written itself. They’re on the clock with McD. They need someone that inspires them to play right and quick. Apparently at least the top guys are fine with this. I’m guessing not everyone ls views him the same way we’ve been spoon fed to think about him. I don’t see McDrai being scared of a coach. Someone who calls them out for the obvious crap that they’ll listen to is needed. New coaches might not be able to step into that and lead, there’s no time at this gig to learn on the job.
I get it. I’d ask Torts first. They did try to get Cassidy first, who’s also a prickly old school guy so there’s definitely a pattern here.
What does our old friend Aaron Ward have to say?
sabremike
#STANDTALLFORGIRAFFE
- Oct 31, 2007
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Maybe? Don't know who walked away from who, but apparently an interview was conducted and they decided Hiller over Cassidy
SvechneJerk
Christ is King
Raddysh to Toronto almost finished. Sounds like the AAV won't be as much as many anticipated.
TheReelChuckFletcher
Former TheRillestPaulFenton; Harverd Alum
Guys like BriseBois, Zito, McCrimmon, and Tulsky all fundamentally understand that you pay for the next Raddysh, not pay him after the breakout. I would not be shocked, however, if there's an element of ownership pressure here, because the Toronto group has a long history of that.
- Oct 31, 2007
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Yeah, it's not a bad deal if he comes close to his play of this past season. But if he regresses...eeeehhhh
TheReelChuckFletcher
Former TheRillestPaulFenton; Harverd Alum
I feel like teams would've been far more cautious with Raddysh's free agency if he was a lefty. A massive element of the urgency to sign him is because RHDs are so scarce. Combine that with the bad free agent market, and it's the perfect storm.
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