Thank You Babcock

[Primary Assist]

This move is giving me some serious cognitive dissonance - I loved Babcock when he first started, read his book, directly implemented a lot of his coaching techniques with the team that I coach, and seriously looked up to him as a role model. But after some of that initial magic wore off I found myself more and more unwilling to tune into this brand of Leafs hockey.

In many ways this move is a bummer, because I have so much respect and even affection for Babs, but I believe that is the right move. It also seems likely that many of the teams who might be considering a coaching change - San Jose and New Jersey most of all - have been watching this sago unfold closely and are now thinking of making Babcock their next head coach.

Best of luck Babs, and I hope you can bring some of that real gud Prairie Godfather magic and wisdom to you behind the bench of your next team.

 

[NightTrain1]

Wishing Babcock the best in his next coaching job because there will definitely be one and rightfully so. I was super excited when he came here and honestly wasn't disappointed until December last year honestly. He seems like a good groundwork coach that can build a team up to be respectable but his lack of ability to adapt or place blame on himself is his downfall in todays NHL.

Keefe is now on the clock and doesnt have nearly as long as Babcock to turn this around. It will take a little bit to straighten this ship up, but we will see pretty quickly by the energy on the ice if the players are responding to the rumoured negative Babcock feelings being pushed aside.

 

[Buds17]

He played a role in getting the team out of the basement in very short order. Unfortunately, the playoff success wasn't as rapid enough of a rise. Sometimes, team and coach no longer make the best of fits. Doesn't diminish the fact that he remains a quality hockey person. I thank him for his contributions here. Wish things had a better conclusion.

 

[Teeder Keon]

Don’t let the Players only closed meeting door hit you on the way out ...

no
Seriously
Great job establishing our blue print
Good person
Quality human
Good coach

great luck to you
Thank you
Passed the torch

Gone fishing

 

[sxvnert]

Thanks but it was time.

 

[Menzinger]

I found his use of nicknames to be endearing. Seems like a genuinely nice guy, wish him well wherever he coaches next.

 

[Anthrax442]

I found his use of nicknames to be endearing. Seems like a genuinely nice guy, wsig him well wherever he coaches next.

He is like my boss - great to his friend, absolute piece of garbage of a person to work for

 

[Stephen]

He brought instant respectability and stability to the organization but it feels like he couldn’t or wouldn’t deviate from his program when it needed some improvisation. Sort of felt like he fell victim to that new age analytics-y angry armchair quarterback nerd culture on here a little bit, which was also the voice that called for the removal of guys like Polak, Komarov, Martin, Hainsey and many of the role players we now lack. We shall see what this new era will bring us.

 

[Bluelines]

Cheers Mike. I wish you and your family all the best.

 

[Philly Fanatik]

Another week...
another dinosaur firing in the Mecca of the hockey world!

 

[ottomaddox]

I wish him well.

I always liked him.

I can't wait to see this new technologically advanced system that pedestrian fans keep harping about. You'll soon understand how hard it is to win with soft players and no cap space.

First time I've seen Shanny shaken and nervous. He should be

 

[Stamkos4life]

Thanks for everything mike.

Bet he has a job within a year.

 

[PromisedLand]

Thanks Mike for a great tank year; 3 continuous post season appearance after a decade of Leafs being a JOKE in the league.

Good luck in your future endeavors except against the Leafs.

Cheers!

 

[EXPECT THE LEAFS]

He's a good pro.

 

[Teeder Keon]

Thanks for everything mike.

Bet he has a job within a year.

He’s betting on it

 

[Rogue Leader]

Iron Mike ... Babcock. He always bet on himself, but the players bet against him. All the best, Mike!

 

[Polaris1010]

Never would believe this, but look at what just happened.

There is more turmoil in the Shanahan/Babcock era than there was in the Brain Burke era.

This story is not over yet.

It is too bad. The Leafs could have been a contender.

 

[Polaris1010]

Lou Lamoerillo used to work here in Toronto, along with Kyle Dubas.

He leaves and goes to the New York Islanders. The Isles made the playoffs last season and actually won a round. This season they are 15-3-1 probably in first place.

The Toronto Maple Leafs under Shanahan and Dubas, just fired their coach.

That is the beauty of sports. You can run, you can fire the coach, but you cannot hide.

 

[Stamkos4life]

He’s betting on it

Cant believe I didnt use that in my post!

Well played

 

[Blanche Blanche]

Thanks for your service Mike !

I'll miss your pressers where you only use like 15 words.

But i won't miss your potty mouth, or your ability to annoy every ref in the league.

Now the leafs will get PP calls

 

[Einzakin]

Booo no thank you. His statement reminded us all why we disliked him. Egocock. No self awareness.

 

[ECanuck]

Mike only coach that could get us out of our own end.
Nobody should question if he knows hockey.

You can't play hardball with millennials Mike.

 

[DopeyFish]

he was way better than the 3 coaches that came before him

 

[Blanche Blanche]

His coaching and systems style is what made the last place Leafs - with Matthews Marner and Nylander - Transform into a playoff team dangerously close to taking it to the Capitals in ONE damn season.

I will never forget that.

Since then the league has adjusted and sadly, this is the one area that Babcock has a glaring weakness.

Thanks for Memories Babs.

Youre a Gud Pro.

 

[Legion34]

We were doing fine. And Shanahan decided to fix what wasn't broken. Brendan and Kyle have no excuses left.

He was getting really frustrating but I don't put this on him.

sorry. We were doing fine? Really?