CALLED IT IN THE MMG
TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Mike Babcock as their new head coach.
The team says in a news release he will be introduced at a news conference.
Babcock has spent the last 10 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, winning the Stanley Cup in 2008 and going to the final in 2009.
His contract expires at the end of June but the Red Wings had given him permission to negotiate with other teams.
The Leafs must send a third-round pick to Detroit as compensation.
Toronto reportedly beat out several clubs for Babcock’s services, including Detroit, Buffalo and San Jose.
Babcock, a Saskatoon native, led Canada to two Olympic gold medals.
The Leafs fired head coach Randy Carlyle in January, replacing him on an interim basis with assistant Peter Horachek.
(The Canadian Press)
Make sure you really give Tiger the gears today!
Thank you Ricky Foley for telling it like it is!
You called it Rod. Way to go out on a limb!
Until now I thought Mike Babcock was extremely intelligent. Not so much now. Why anyone would wish that city and the hockey team that goes with it upon themselves is beyond me.
Good for the Leafs. Awesome hire.
Poor Ricky Foley having to play in Toronto this season (best run organization to the worst)
To question Babcock's intelligence is pretty silly. He is one of the best coaches in the NHL. Plus, he will be making approx. 3.5 million dollars MORE per year than the second highest paid coach in the NHL. Seems like a smart move to me.
Your parents must be proud of you Rod for calling this!
You couldn't get me to live in Toronto for $6.5M and that's just living there without having to deal with the centre of the universe media.
What position does this mike Babcock play? If he isn't on the ice nothing changes, no depth, no defence, overpaid over the hill vets, no 2nd, 3rd, or 4th line means they still lose.
I guess your odds of calling it right were good when you predicted just about every opportunity. Tuesday Sportscage you reported he was in Buffalo negotiating his contract.
Actually I was reading wire copy on Tuesday's show.