The Maple Leafs react to Mike Babcock’s departure from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Babcock managed the Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2019, and two players were interviewed about their reactions to his abrupt departure following an inquiry into his conduct.
Mike Babcock’s days as an NHL head coach are gone after he requested access to players’ mobile phones over the offseason, prompting an inquiry and eventually a decision to quit from the Columbus Blue Jackets before he could take the bench in a game.
Now that the dust has cleared, two of Babcock’s former players have spoken on the events that occurred. At the very least, they were questioned but did not explicitly address the issue.
Maple Leafs captain John Tavares played for Team Canada under Babcock in the 2014 Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey before signing with Toronto as a free agency with Babcock as coach in the summer of 2018.
“I think overall the whole situation is just unfortunate,” Tavares stated during Leafs media day on Wednesday. “But for us and me, we’re focused on the opportunity we have here and continuing to grow with Tre (Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving), Sheldon (Maple Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe), and our staff here. “It’s just unfortunate all around.”
Babcock was fired by the Maple Leafs in November 2019, with many years remaining on his eight-year, $50 million deal. Shortly after Babcock was replaced by Keefe, the Toronto Sun reported on a circumstance in which Marner, a rookie at the time, was asked to evaluate players from hardest-working to least-hardworking. The list was then distributed to the other members on the team.
The players didn’t blame Marner, but rather were furious that Babcock would perform such an exercise, let alone discuss it with other players.
This time, Marner was openly questioned if Babcock had ever requested access to his phone.
“I don’t want to make too much comments on that. Whatever happened, happened. Marner added, “It was back in the day when I was with everyone here.” “He isn’t on our squad anymore. Obviously, my attention is on the team, not on any other individual. My attention is on the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team and the people we surround ourselves with as humans.”
The Maple Leafs were scheduled to reconvene with Babcock on December 14 when they hosted the Blue Jackets. Given that the coach’s atonement tour was halted before it even began, it’s unlikely they’ll be questioned about him again.
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