Babcock Interview (Since being hired by Saskatoon) "Something doesn't add up"

[Bluelines]

Some random quotes from this thread.


















My goodness. If you were to show just those quotes to a random person, they'd be like "Oh my GOD!!!! What the hell did this person do? Mass murderer? Serial rapists? Did he sell kids into the sex trade? What abomination of a human is this?"

No. He coached privileged millionaire adult athletes and was a little mean to them a few times.

..they would be like... " Another thread about Mike Babcock?"

 

[htpwn]

With three prominent interviews in less than a week, this looks like a coordinated campaign to 'rehabilitate' his image, which (despite what his defenders here say) suggests that he knows its needed.

If that is the case, then he has clearly fallen short of his goal. His 'transgressions' against the likes of Marner and Franzen were not so great that they could not be rectified by an unconditional apology. He doesn't need to do charity work or any penance of any sort; he literally just needed to say "sorry" without all the other "well, actually guys, I'm a really good person" stuff. That is PR101: say sorry, kill the story, move on with your career.

The fact that he couldn't do that, IMO, speaks volumes about where his head is still at. It also would make me very wary of hiring him if I were a GM. Because that inability to just check one's ego, to understand that one does not always makes the right decisions, that was the problem here. And it was an on-ice problem. The Marner story is valuable as part of the larger picture but from strictly a hockey POV, Babcock's inability to reign in his ego hurt the team. He refused to change a system that was clearly ineffective, even going into his final season, when he knew his job was on the line. He refused to take in opinions on a player's abilities other than those which aligned with his own. He not only overplayed players that he liked, which every coach does, but he did so to a comical extent.

On top of all that, there was the undercutting of his own GM. What other coach took pot shots at his GM in public? Sure, sometimes you'll hear "We need more" or some vague catchphrase indicating frustration, but no where near the extent. If you are a GM for a team, why would you want this guy to work for you? So he can tell the media how much your trade for a top 4D sucks?

 

[rumman]

I posted this before Claude Julien was fired today, with Babcock's connection with Montreal, multiple degrees from McGill and part of the Tau Alpha chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

It sounds crazy but he would get instant improvement with Montreal, rumor's are that Bergeron does not have much runway left with the Molson's, he is going to want to find a coach who gets instant results. Bruce Boudreau would be another one that has a reputation of getting quick results.

Can’t say I hate the idea of Babcock coaching the Habs, would definitely ramp up a already intense rivalry and could be the ultimate motivation for the Leaf players who despise their former coach?

 

[ottomaddox]

It seems to me that those that are shocked and angered by Babcock seem to have a naive / idealistic vision for what high stakes/professional work environment is.

They've certainly never been in the company of competitive people before.

What do people think pro sports is? Soft hand holding and supportive hugs everywhere?

 

[TheGoldenJet]

My point was you don't run things up to chm to hire a rep ... da prez hires his VP and VP hires his sales reps ... when chm has to have a mtg to hire a rep there is a huge problem in that org ... and of course it will lead to disagreements from day 1 ... it leads to a screwed up situation and it ultimately costs you a lot of $$$ ... sad thing is to MLSE in a normal year it is literally a bug on their back ... but no one likes to lose $$$ and I don't know Larry but I am sure he regrets it and won't make same mistake twice

Dank you derry much.

 

[supsens]

So if you act like an asshole, and people call you an asshole, then that makes you the victim of oppression?

No people that join in on cancel culture are assholes
The irony

 

[BTP]

Some random quotes from this thread.


















My goodness. If you were to show just those quotes to a random person, they'd be like "Oh my GOD!!!! What the hell did this person do? Mass murderer? Serial rapists? Did he sell kids into the sex trade? What abomination of a human is this?"

No. He coached privileged millionaire adult athletes and was a little mean to them a few times.

Seriously its pathetic and these people are SOFT.

 

[Kurtz]

No people that join in on cancel culture are assholes
The irony

This post is a fun lesson in grammar

 

[supsens]

This post is a fun lesson in grammar

Meh

 

[rumman]

It seems to me that those that are shocked and angered by Babcock seem to have a naive / idealistic vision for what high stakes/professional work environment is.

They've certainly never been in the company of competitive people before.

What do people think pro sports is? Soft hand holding and supportive hugs everywhere?

Imo hockey’s no different than any other part of society, whether you are for or opposed to the current way society’s trending, you had better not take a misstep because if you do you’ll be the next victim of cancelled culture.

 

[Stephen]

You don't like his coaching style. You don't want him to coach any of the teams you follow. Fair enough. I don't see why it needs to go any further than that.

I think the list thing was a poor coaching strategy. And that's it. An elite super-rich adult athlete being a bit embarrassed by his coach is so insignificant in the grand scheme of things that I'm shocked anybody's thought about it for more than half a second.

I think what he said was a fair point. Essentially "Yeah, sometimes I'm strict when coaching these millionaire adult athletes, but I'm a good father, husband, etc. otherwise." Sounds fair to me. We all don't like his coaching style. The end. No big deal whatsoever.

I tend to agree. Seems like Babcock earned the ire of a big portion of the Leaf fan base by not mirroring a lot of the Bruce Cassidy playbook while Toronto lost to Boston two years in a row. Mainly load up a big line, play the Matthews Marner duo and pad up the stats, en route to winning.

The whole criticism about Babcock being a bad human being sounds completely valid by the sound of the anecdotes that have come to fore. But I don’t know where his antics and mind games against guys like Marner, Franzen, Spezza, Commodore, Modano and Chelios rank as far as standard jerk coaching tactics either.

And finally, he wasn’t successful in advancing the Leafs program deeper in the playoffs and was relieved of his duties. Not sure why we need to keep flogging the corpse here.

 

[ToneDog]

According to Mike Babcock, the writing was on the wall for his eventual firing as Toronto Maple Leafs head coach.
It’s been 15 months since Sheldon Keefe replaced the established bench boss, but the 57-year-old says it was operational differences and destiny that led to him being let go.
“It wasn’t shocking to me. I knew when Lou [Lamoriello] left, I was getting fired,” Babcock said in an interview with Sportsnet. “I really believe it is important for every general manager and coach to have their manager, and their coach; their guy. And that wasn’t me.”

Could it be this is why Babs made the questionable moves he made while Dubas was in charge?? Pretty much flipping the bird to Dubas and Shanny daring them to get it over with.

In the end I was not a fan but I blame Shanny. How do you hire a coach for 8 years at huge money and then sabatoge him by hiring a GM that has a totally different vision ?? Mind boggling.

 

[rumman]

According to Mike Babcock, the writing was on the wall for his eventual firing as Toronto Maple Leafs head coach.
It’s been 15 months since Sheldon Keefe replaced the established bench boss, but the 57-year-old says it was operational differences and destiny that led to him being let go.
“It wasn’t shocking to me. I knew when Lou [Lamoriello] left, I was getting fired,” Babcock said in an interview with Sportsnet. “I really believe it is important for every general manager and coach to have their manager, and their coach; their guy. And that wasn’t me.”

Could it be this is why Babs made the questionable moves he made while Dubas was in charge?? Pretty much flipping the bird to Dubas and Shanny daring them to get it over with.

In the end I was not a fan but I blame Shanny. How do you hire a coach for 8 years at huge money and then sabatoge him by hiring a GM that has a totally different vision ?? Mind boggling.

How do you hire a guy who abused your fellow Red Wing players, something Shanahan must have been well aware of?

 

[ShaneFalco]

Is that your role on these boards. That every time someone (which isn't me this time thank god), says something factual you throw the "vetted" line in there.

Pretty childish I must say.

Please! Claim to have inside sources, back it up. Especially when you get busted for making shit up

 

[ShaneFalco]

According to Mike Babcock, the writing was on the wall for his eventual firing as Toronto Maple Leafs head coach.
It’s been 15 months since Sheldon Keefe replaced the established bench boss, but the 57-year-old says it was operational differences and destiny that led to him being let go.
“It wasn’t shocking to me. I knew when Lou [Lamoriello] left, I was getting fired,” Babcock said in an interview with Sportsnet. “I really believe it is important for every general manager and coach to have their manager, and their coach; their guy. And that wasn’t me.”

Could it be this is why Babs made the questionable moves he made while Dubas was in charge?? Pretty much flipping the bird to Dubas and Shanny daring them to get it over with.

In the end I was not a fan but I blame Shanny. How do you hire a coach for 8 years at huge money and then sabatoge him by hiring a GM that has a totally different vision ?? Mind boggling.

The vision isn't up to the coach. They of course can have a say, but babcock wanted to rule and screw you if you don't agree with him, he'll just sabotage your efforts

 

[ShaneFalco]

Some random quotes from this thread.


















My goodness. If you were to show just those quotes to a random person, they'd be like "Oh my GOD!!!! What the hell did this person do? Mass murderer? Serial rapists? Did he sell kids into the sex trade? What abomination of a human is this?"

No. He coached privileged millionaire adult athletes and was a little mean to them a few times.

Red Wings fans would say the same
And it wasn't about mean to players, it as being spiteful, insubordinate and petty. That and absolutely refusing to change his ways

 

[ToneDog]

The vision isn't up to the coach. They of course can have a say, but babcock wanted to rule and screw you if you don't agree with him, he'll just sabotage your efforts

Oh I agree but do you think Shanny gets approval to dump Babs and pay the remainder of his contract if he were working for the Canes or Yotes ?? If it was my money, I'd ask Shanny, "what the hell are you thinking hiring Babs and then changing direction midstream and hiring a GM that mixes with your coach like Oil and Vinegar"? Not many markets where a President is allowed to burn so much money.

 

[Menzinger]

According to Mike Babcock, the writing was on the wall for his eventual firing as Toronto Maple Leafs head coach.
It’s been 15 months since Sheldon Keefe replaced the established bench boss, but the 57-year-old says it was operational differences and destiny that led to him being let go.
“It wasn’t shocking to me. I knew when Lou [Lamoriello] left, I was getting fired,” Babcock said in an interview with Sportsnet. “I really believe it is important for every general manager and coach to have their manager, and their coach; their guy. And that wasn’t me.”

Could it be this is why Babs made the questionable moves he made while Dubas was in charge?? Pretty much flipping the bird to Dubas and Shanny daring them to get it over with.

In the end I was not a fan but I blame Shanny. How do you hire a coach for 8 years at huge money and then sabatoge him by hiring a GM that has a totally different vision ?? Mind boggling.

I think a fair critique of Shanny.
here is that he should have had his long term GM in place before signing a long term coach. And that just because a coach has a high profile one doesn't mean he's necessarily going to be the best fit for every team

Edit:typo

 

[Mattavarner]

Babs admitted to "making sure they finished last to land Auston Matthews" in that Christine Simpson interview, thats something nobodys come out and said before

 

[Menzinger]

Babs admitted to "making sure they finished last to land Auston Matthews" in that Christine Simpson interview, thats something nobodys come out and said before

Yep. And definitely fit with what we saw.

That back half of the season was a blatant tank job

 

[Leafsfan74]

Babs admitted to "making sure they finished last to land Auston Matthews" in that Christine Simpson interview, thats something nobodys come out and said before

I thought I misheard him. I'm not even sure that is "allowed" by the league.

Considering how poorly that team played that year down the.stretch, that was one hell of a quote if indeed that is what he said.

 

[Menzinger]

I thought I misheard him. I'm not even sure that is "allowed" by the league.

Considering how poorly that team played that year down the.stretch, that was one hell of a quote if indeed that is what he said.

There's not much the league can do to stop you. They can't force you to play some players over others or to make trades to improve the lineup ect

 

[Mattavarner]

Maybe its babs taking one last shot at Dubas and trying to cost him a draft pick for admitting to tanking

 

[ottomaddox]

Imo hockey’s no different than any other part of society, whether you are for or opposed to the current way society’s trending, you had better not take a misstep because if you do you’ll be the next victim of cancelled culture.

Not really. The average person doesn't have to stand trial in the Twitter Court of Popular Opinion. You obviously have to follow a code of conduct which is not hard at all. It's pretty hard to get fired at most jobs. Pro hockey is different though. Coaches get fired and it's a constant in the NHL. Keefe will be in line some day too.

 

[frog]

Babcock addressed everything.. He's a good guy. Acknowledge he got lost in the moment with the marner thing by sharing it with Bozak... He never said it to the entire team, it wasnt a tactic lol... He got too focused on motivation and didn't think about throwing marner under the bus. He talked to marner.

Two sides to every story he gets ripped to shreds by people that don't like him and everyone believes it.