Toronto has landed the NHL’s top head coach
The Mike Babcock sweepstakes are finally over. The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed former-Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock to a multi-year deal. The deal was announced last week as the Maple Leafs have been attempting to rebuild during the offseason.
General Manager Brendan Shanahan, who has close ties to Babcock from his days in Detroit, brought Babcock to the organization in an attempt to establish and recreate a winning culture in Toronto.
With the Maple Leafs being the richest team in the NHL, it may not come as a surprise to many that the organization would be willing to spend upwards of $50 million on a coach, making Babcock the highest-paid head coach in the league. The contract is said to be front-heavy, meaning Babcock would receive a large amount of his money during the first few years of his time with the Leafs. While the Maple Leafs have lured Babcock to Toronto with an eight-year contract, there are still many questions surrounding the status of the team and the rebuild process itself.
In the official press conference introducing Babcock to the organization, many fans were left optimistic and hopeful – a picture painted quite often for all Toronto sports fans alike.
“It’s time to put Canada’s team back on the map,” said Babcock to a gleeful media room. “I’m looking forward to the process, the battle, the pain, the fun, and the journey. It’s gonna be a long one, but it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”
Babcock’s arrival in Toronto signals a flurry of changes—including a strong foundational structure of discipline and respect. The Leaf’s front office has always been a point of contention—often being called incompetent, untrustworthy, and downright horrendous. However harsh these criticisms may be, the team has failed to produce any meaningful results in many seasons.
With the “Shanaplan” well under way in Toronto, it has become apparent that the organization is heading towards a complete rebuild. With the addition of strong front office personnel, alongside the fourth pick in this year’s NHL draft, the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs actually looks promising.