News Article: It's important to remember Babcock and all the good things he did.

[ottomaddox]

I'm not posting this to provoke people. I had no problem with him when he was here, and I do think he should get to explain his side of the story. I know that this is pro sports and that the results weren't looking favorable last season. I can also see why Dubas gets to choose the coach he wants.

Here's his side of the story.

Mike Babcock Breaks His Silence And Discusses Marner Incident - NHL Rumors - NHLTradeRumors.Me

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[ToneDog]

I have moved on from Babs just like I will move on from Shanny, Dubas and Keefe once they are fired.

 

[dangomon]

I'm far less concerned with the specific "Marner incident", and more the pattern of abuse and lack of remorse. The only thing he said about Franzen made himself the victim, he only talked about how hurt he was and how much he champions the cause of mental health. No apology, no remorse, no word on how it affected the other party.

For a man who incessantly preaches being a good person, he's an awfully not-good person.

 

[Critical13]

What were the good things, again? Losing 2 games 7s due in part to bad coaching decisions? Not making it past round 1 with 2 or 3 league stars on ELCs?

I don't hate the guy but not much positive to remember from his days here.

 

[MattySnipes]

Did he make up this story when he was hunting in the wild wilderness of Saskatchewan all of last year?

 

[ECYCLE]

The one thing I take away from Babcock's retelling of his side of the story is that while it appears contrite, it also has remarkably strong manipulative undertones so forgive me if I roll my eyes in response.

I believe there's still a place for strict and hardline coaching in hockey, but there's never a place for provoking dissention amongst the team by pitting players against their own teammates. It's counterproductive and reeks of an abusive and manipulative personality.

 

[ottomaddox]

What were the good things, again? Losing 2 games 7s due in part to bad coaching decisions? Not making it past round 1 with 2 or 3 league stars on ELCs?

I don't hate the guy but not much positive to remember from his days here.

You must really see a lot of bad things in Keefe. His team didn't make the playoffs, and lost a play-in series due to bad coaching.

 

[zeke]

Since Matthews/Marner:

Leafs w/Babs: 98pt pace, #28 expected goals against
Leafs w/Keefe: 103pt pace, #14 expected goals against

 

[Martin Skoula]

It's nice knowing that for someone with an ego the size of Texas, nobody is going to remember or care about his Leaf career in a few years despite his best efforts to be the face of the team.

Never trust someone who consistently refers to themselves in the third person.

 

[Coachcorner]

I have moved on from Babs just like I will move on from Shanny, Dubas and Keefe once they are fired.

The only man I haven't moved on from is: Pat Quinn sire. He did that. Yeah he did that. I still remember his games daily.

His team was always in the arena, tempestuous, strong, sometimes wrong, sometimes right,... but it was a real team and he was a man.

 

[Stephen]

Babcock was absolutely a jerk and had an unpopular rigid way about his systems and roster management. But ultimately there was nothing controversial about his message to play a harder game, emphasize work ethic and that stuff.

 

[ToneDog]

The only man I haven't moved on from is: Pat Quinn sire. He did that. Yeah he did that. I still remember his games daily.

His team was always in the arena, tempestuous, strong, sometimes wrong, sometimes right,... but it was a real team and he was a man.

Same goes for Pat Burns' teams.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Mike Babcock will always bet on Mike Babcock

Biggest a-hole coach i can remember

 

[Gary Nylund]

I'm far less concerned with the specific "Marner incident", and more the pattern of abuse and lack of remorse. The only thing he said about Franzen made himself the victim, he only talked about how hurt he was and how much he champions the cause of mental health. No apology, no remorse, no word on how it affected the other party.

For a man who incessantly preaches being a good person, he's an awfully not-good person.

Yup. I'm not impressed and if I was running a team, I wouldn't let him anywhere near my players.

 

[AvroArrow]

f*** off Bobcat. How many other NHLers have come out and told us that this guy is a complete POS. Did he also explain how he decided to bench/scratch Martin after that incident as he was one of the few guys to stand up for Marner. Don't believe a word this turd says.

 

[cesareborgia]

Unpopular opinion here, but these men getting paid millions to play a sport need to man up. Tough love. Babcock was right, these guys need to learn to put in a consistent effort.

 

[daethfromabove1979]

He did good things for himself, that is it. He got paid big bucks to coach here but he is just an absolute FRAUD. He will never coach again.

 

[killer1980]

I believe it is important to remember that that the straw for Babcock was that he wanted to get a team built for freewheeling high scoring games to play tight checking defense. Isn't that what we saw last night from Keefe? Play the hand your dealt or fold. Keefe could be going down a dangerous and losing path.

 

[Mickey Marner]

He was right about Hyman, so there's that.

 

[Martin Skoula]

Unpopular opinion here, but these men getting paid millions to play a sport need to man up. Tough love. Babcock was right, these guys need to learn to put in a consistent effort.

Is there a coach that doesn't say his team needs to work harder? It's not like Babcock was some sort of pioneer in the effort department.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I don't wanna remember about him but thanks for reminding me.

 

[ShaneFalco]

It's important to forget Babcock and move on

 

[The Iceman]

He was a 3 year coach on a 8 year contract.

Team grew up with him and then tuned him out

 

[Ciao]

I have moved on from Babs just like I will move on from Shanny, Dubas and Keefe once they are fired.

I've moved on from Babcock too -- as well as Lou, Hunter, JFJ, Floyd Smith, Punch Imlach, Conn Smythe and everyone else in the rear-view mirror.

Shanny, Dubas and Keefe will all be gone and forgotten one day too, but until then I'll probably give them the benefit of the doubt if for nothing else to reconcile my hopes and wishes with my rooting interest in the Leafs.

The only man I haven't moved on from is: Pat Quinn sire. He did that. Yeah he did that. I still remember his games daily.

His team was always in the arena, tempestuous, strong, sometimes wrong, sometimes right,... but it was a real team and he was a man.

Same goes for Pat Burns' teams.

The two Patty's were good. Burns' teams sure knew how to clear their own zone

 

[Ciao]

I believe it is important to remember that that the straw for Babcock was that he wanted to get a team built for freewheeling high scoring games to play tight checking defense. Isn't that what we saw last night from Keefe? Play the hand your dealt or fold. Keefe could be going down a dangerous and losing path.

I think there's plenty of room for Keefe to develop a style of play that he's comfortable with for the Leafs -- one that includes offence, defence, special teams and work in all three zones.

No roster is perfect -- not even Team Canada's -- but the Leafs have plenty to work with to become competitive within their division and compete in the playoffs.