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

[ACC1224]

He was only fired when it was plainly obvious he needed to be. It wasn’t Dubas’ call.

Babcock was Dubas’ coach for 2.25ish seasons. Reportedly, the last .25 is when Dubas wanted him replaced.

Babcock was far worse on the situation than Dubas’ was

I believe, many fans believed and it seems like Babcock believed that Dubas wanted him out long before the ‘last .25’. Not being allowed to remove the coach doesn’t mean he didn’t want him gone.

 

[sxvnert]

Oh spare me. O’Neill doesn’t strike me as the most committed professional athlete during his time, it’s no wonder he doesn’t appreciate Babcock’s ‘style’.

Just s few days ago O’Neill was calling Hayes something along the lines of a fat tub of garbage back in the day and joked about how his wife stuck it through with Hayes and it paid off because he used to be out of shape and is now a known commodity. Sure, it was in a joking manner but those aren’t pleasant jokes either way.

O-dog is a goon who loves to dish it but can’t take the heat himself. He’s probably similiar to Babcock in that sense.

O'Neills hatred for Babcock began after Babs forgot his name during an interview. O asked him a question and Babs responded "who am I speaking to". For the rest of the interview O went silent like the petulant child that he is and whined about it years afterwards everytime his name was mentioned.
Surely Babs knew exactly who he was speaking to but instead of taking the mature road and nailing him with a difficult question the next time around he decides to sulk about on air when Babs couldnt respond.

 

[GLobello]

Babcock was fired because the team plateaued as constant first round losers. His coaching decisions, in my opinion, were not setting the team up to be the best they could be and quite frankly he was making decisions to purposely undermine his GM and sabotage the team (benching Spezza, over playing Marleau). It was clear he reached the end of his shelf life with the players.

If he wasn't such a stubborn ass and actually tried to work together with his GM he'd still be the coach. The Leafs print money but don't think for a second they're happy they have to pay this man 5+ mill for another few years to NOT coach the team. They had no choice but to move on because of his actions.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Perhaps or he’s fired anyway at some point like most anticipated. Unless you’re in the organization you’re in no position to say what is ‘not true’.

You're not in the organization, and that hasn't stopped you from making baseless claims. The fact is, you are wrong, and we do know that, because Babcock wasn't instantly fired, or fired at the first sign of trouble - he was only fired when his incompetence grew to such levels that his negative impacts on the team and its results could no longer be ignored, or the season would be lost.

 

[DaWatcher]

Remember when Babcock said that he didn't want to play Marner and Mathews together because he wanted to 'win'? That was hilarious!

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Such a prick. And still so high on himself.

And thats the bottom line. Comments not needed after this one. I wish his name never came up on our board again. He means nothing to me.

 

[Cor]

Remember when Babcock said that he didn't want to play Marner and Mathews together because he wanted to 'win'? That was hilarious!

Remember when we acquired Jake Muzzin, who is a perfect fit, the exact type of player we were looking for, and when asked about his acquisition at a media availability, all Babcock said was “it was what we could get” and complained he didn’t shoot right handed.
Would’ve fired him then and there

 

[ottomaddox]

And thats the bottom line. Comments not needed after this one. I wish his name never came up on our board again. He means nothing to me.

Obviously. That's why you had to post about it. Thus bringing up his name.

 

[Cor]

I believe, many fans believed and it seems like Babcock believed that Dubas wanted him out long before the ‘last .25’. Not being allowed to remove the coach doesn’t mean he didn’t want him gone.

There’s many fans who believe a lot of things.

Many fans think Nylander is overpaid.
Many fans think Sam Bennett is a better play than Alex Kerfoot.
Many fans thought (including myself) that Joe Thornton on the top line would be a failure.
Many fans wanted Zach Hyman tossed overboard for a long time and spewed hate to anyone that could see different

What fans think doesn’t really matter.

The fact that Mike Babcock may have believed that, is apart of the problem.

Tells me Babcock gave up as soon as Kyle Dubas became GM, and didn’t care.

Heck, I’m not sure Babcock and Lou cared entering Lou’s final year either. Babcock fully admitted they knew the Marleau contract was going to be bad, but signed it anyway.

Who admits stuff like that?

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Obviously. That's why you had to post about it. Thus bringing up his name.

Go away . I can do without you too. See how that works so well for me.

 

[ottomaddox]

There’s many fans who believe a lot of things.

Many fans think Nylander is overpaid.
Many fans think Sam Bennett is a better play than Alex Kerfoot.
Many fans thought (including myself) that Joe Thornton on the top line would be a failure.
Many fans wanted Zach Hyman tossed overboard for a long time and spewed hate to anyone that could see different

What fans think doesn’t really matter.

The fact that Mike Babcock may have believed that, is apart of the problem.

Tells me Babcock gave up as soon as Kyle Dubas became GM, and didn’t care.

Heck, I’m not sure Babcock and Lou cared entering Lou’s final year either. Babcock fully admitted they knew the Marleau contract was going to be bad, but signed it anyway.

Who admits stuff like that?

Coaches don't sign players.

 

[RogerR]

Coaches don't sign players.

No but coaches can not play signed players, even when they could fill the #1 need on the team (Justin Holl).

 

[RogerR]

Remember when we acquired Jake Muzzin, who is a perfect fit, the exact type of player we were looking for, and when asked about his acquisition at a media availability, all Babcock said was “it was what we could get” and complained he didn’t shoot right handed.
Would’ve fired him then and there

That was very disrespectful. He acted like such a dick towards Dubas. And Muzzin the first month had just terrible usage by Babcock as the #5 D.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

There’s many fans who believe a lot of things.

Many fans think Nylander is overpaid.
Many fans think Sam Bennett is a better play than Alex Kerfoot.
Many fans thought (including myself) that Joe Thornton on the top line would be a failure.
Many fans wanted Zach Hyman tossed overboard for a long time and spewed hate to anyone that could see different

What fans think doesn’t really matter.

The fact that Mike Babcock may have believed that, is apart of the problem.

Tells me Babcock gave up as soon as Kyle Dubas became GM, and didn’t care.

Heck, I’m not sure Babcock and Lou cared entering Lou’s final year either. Babcock fully admitted they knew the Marleau contract was going to be bad, but signed it anyway.

Who admits stuff like that?

We can all care more. Defeatist mentality is a bad thing.

 

[Cor]

Coaches don't sign players.

Babcock said himself he and Lou worked together on bringing Marleau in.

They may not sign the contracts, but in most cases, they are very involved

 

[RogerR]

Remember when Babcock said that he didn't want to play Marner and Mathews together because he wanted to 'win'? That was hilarious!

Oh I recall that. He always thought he was the smartest guy in the room.

 

[Wiseguys]

Hey Babcock the Montreal coaching position is open. You might want to reconsider. I'm pretty sure you have an out in your agreement with the U of S.

 

[Buds17]

He’s not wrong, everyone knew Dubas would replace him first chance he could.

Dubas hiring Keefe to coach in both the OHL and AHL says I'd have to agree with you. Having that in mind though was unfortunately going to be an uphill battle for both himself as coach and the team that he was coaching.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Name one person outside of The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin who looks cool addressing themselves in the 3rd person...this dude is a complete moron

 

[Stephen]

Re: the Nick Jensen vs Travis Dermott quote above, Babcock was notoriously poor with handling fringe defensemen to the point of burying them and possibly wasting assets and development time. Justin Holl, Alexei Marchenko, Connor Carrick, Frankie Corrado are some examples.

On the other hand, this wastage seems to be something that happens with many regimes. Off the top of my head, Pat Burns never really had time for Drake Berehowsky who was once CHL defenseman of the year and a Leaf top 10 pick, Pat Quinn mishandled Jason Smith and Nathan Dempsey, Randy Carlyle under used Jake Gardiner during his early years.

Not making any excuses whatsoever for Babcock but I do notice a hatred for the guy that goes both beyond hockey decisions and being a bad boss (which traditionally there are many examples of in the game). And

Does seem to be a unique phenomenon.

 

[TMLegend]

Did you actually watch those games? Yes Sid's goals in those gold medal games were exciting stuff, but the on ice product was literally unwatchable in 2010 and 14.

Who tf cares? He won. That's all that matters. End of story.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

if you are caping or stanning for Babcock at this point in time, and you don't stand to inherit part of his millions, you a clown lmao.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Babcock said himself he and Lou worked together on bringing Marleau in.

They may not sign the contracts, but in most cases, they are very involved

Correction Babs told Shanny/board he wanted Paddy ... then Lou was told to get deal done ... every Babs story has a ton of half truths ... but Lou is too much of a gentleman to let cat out of bag ... eventually it will all come out da total truth

 

[RogerR]

Correction Babs told Shanny/board he wanted Paddy ... then Lou was told to get deal done ... every Babs story has a ton of half truths ... but Lou is too much of a gentleman to let cat out of bag ... eventually it will all come out da total truth

Lou loves overpaying vets.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Coaches don't sign players.

Coaches are not hired by Larry but of course Babs was ... da Leaf mgmt setup was a complete FU ... and board/Larry caused it all