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It was just over 15 months since Mike Babcock last moved behind an NHL bench. The Maple Leafs fired him on Nov. 20, 2019, after a six-game slippage and just over four seasons with the club.
Shortly after his dismissal, it was revealed that in 2017, Babcock asked Leafs forward Mitch Marner to rank how he viewed the work ethic of his teammates. Babcock revealed the list to the team. He said Sportnet’s Elliotte Friedman in 2019 that he apologized at the time for doing so.
But then more came out.
Mike Commodore and Mark Fraser went to social networks to comment on their problems with his coaching tactics and the treatment of players. Next, Hockey Hall of Fame member Chris Chelios revealed on “Spittin ‘Chiclets” that Babcock verbally assaulted former Johan Franzen. The former striker told a Swedish publication that Babcock is “the worst person I have ever met. A tyrant.”
Babcock has returned to the limelight in recent months after an absence. He worked with the University of Vermont men’s hockey team. He joined NBC part-time as a studio analyst. He spoke with Pierre LeBrun of Athletic on a number of topics. Most recently, he was hired as the head coach of the University of Saskatchewan men’s hockey team.
On Wednesday, before the Flames face Babcock’s final team, the Maple Leafs, Sportsnet aired a team interview led by Christine Simpson. While Babcock may have been looking to clean the air, he instead came across as defensive and sometimes didn’t really take responsibility for what happened.
“What happened, I was in a stand of trees, hunting on my farm in Ohio, and I got this thing, and I said, ‘Yeah, I apologize for that. . ‘ But I didn’t know the story wasn’t fair, ”said Babcock, when asked about the Marner incident. “Mitch was at a time when things weren’t going so well. He was in my office and I said, “Get on the work ethic list.” And he did. And there was nothing wrong with our conversation. Mitch Marner played very well for Mike Babcock. I can’t complain at all, it was amazing.
“So what happened was I was brought in, and I think it was Bozy [Tyler Bozak], but I left the Mitch Marner thing on the table. And then I referred to it and as soon as I did, I knew I had done the wrong thing.
“I walked out after talking to Bozy and said to Mitch, ‘That’s what I did. I fucked you. There was no intention on my part. Do you want me to take care of it in front of the team? just there?’ And I shouldn’t have asked him that, I should have just done it.
“Was that wrong? Yes. Was it my fault? One hundred percent. Do I own this? Yeah, but if you think that’s a tactic to scramble a guy or something? thing like that is the craziest thing ever. We try to make these players the best we can. Our intention is always good. Do we ever make mistakes? One hundred percent. “
Simpson then pressed him on what Franzen had said.
“I thought we had a really good relationship,” Babcock replied. “Now, haven’t things been so good sometimes? Absolutely. Have I ever, in my mind, tried to intimidate someone? This is the craziest thing I’ve ever had. heard.
“Now I didn’t even know what mental health was either,” he said, which is interesting for someone who took sports psychology classes at McGill University after graduating. obtained a degree in education. “Every time someone, that they work for you, that you are in a relationship, feels that – you are wrong. You never want to cross the line and when you want to own it. And if you do, you should own it. But if you haven’t, you shouldn’t own it either. “
Babcock said he contacted Franzen, but the now former NHL player did not respond.
“I coached 34 years. Let’s go 20 guys. Let’s do the math. Lots of players,” he said. “I have coached Olympic teams. I changed goalie. I coached veteran teams in the Stanley Cup final and skinned guys. You drove people crazy. It is reality. You know, I’ve coached a lot of teams. and was very successful, and good people hired me.
“I didn’t have a Zoom meeting with Brian Murray before going to Anaheim. I went to Detroit. Jimmy Nill was my GM at the 2004 World Championship. They hired me. Steve Yzerman played for me and worked with me for four years. years, and he hired me for two Olympics. Brendan Shanahan hired me after playing for me. Some of these problems, the smell test does not match. “
He then went after Sportsnet in the interview when asked if he disputes the stories.
“Oh, yeah, but me too, let’s be clear because you know how you can edit this stuff. I tried my best to treat people well. I always do. You can’t have a family that I do. ai, and the opportunities I’ve had without treating people well. Have I ever crossed the finish line? Absolutely. Saying that when you’re mentally healthy it’s a whole different program. should never be in this situation. crossed the line, you must own this. “
It doesn’t look like Babcock owns it.
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