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[Quick]

TLDR: Babcock getting paid obscene amounts of cash to coach the Leafs. Front-loaded contract, too.

I have some issue in terms of what this might do to the landscape of coaches in the NHL and setting a precedent of dropping tons of money on a single coach.

But Babcock has the resume that other active coaches don't quite have.

http://www.tsn.ca/babcock-joins-leafs-with-eight-year-50m-deal-1.287208

Mike Babcock is being paid a record amount of money to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs in a shocking turn of events.

TSN's Darren Dreger is reporting the Stanley Cup and Olympic gold medal-winning coach will be paid an NHL-high $6.25 million per season over an eight-year term with the Leafs after joining the team Wednesday. Babcock was the subject of an 11th hour bidding war between the Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings, whom he coached 10 seasons before becoming hockey's highest profile free agent.

The Leafs were not projected in the final mix of teams pursuing Babcock after the 52-year-old was granted permission to explore the market for his services before his contract with the Red Wings expired.
But Toronto suddenly changed all that: now Babcock's long term mission is to lead the Leafs to a Stanley Cup for the first time since 1967.

Babcock is being asked – in conjunction with President Brendan Shanahan and, presumably, a new general manager - to turn around a franchise that has finished out of the playoffs nine of the past 10 seasons. His teams have missed the playoffs just once in 12 NHL seasons – and his Red Wings reached the post-season for a current high 24th consecutive season in 2014-15.

This is the boldest move yet by Shanahan who this season has fired a GM, two head coaches and double digit scouts, traded a group of impending free agents and is contemplating dealing the likes of captain Dion Phaneuf and star scorer Phil Kessel.

Babcock guided the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup in 2008 and led them back to the Cup final the following season. Babcock is the winningest coach in Red Wings history and led the team to the Presidents' Trophy twice. The Red Wings, whose final offer was believed to be $4 millon per season over 5 years, will receive a third round draft pick as compensation for losing their head coach.

Babcock is the only coach in hockey's Triple Gold Club: an honour bestowed upon individuals who have won Olympic (2010, 2014), World (2004) and Stanley Cup (2008) championships. Babcock also coached Canada to World Junior gold in 1997.

 

[Cudder]

Best possible outcome on the coaching front that could've happened. This just makes me even more mad that we didn't get McDavid.

 

[CreeperBlocks]

This is a huge get for Leafs. Let's hope this all plays out in the end


Now if only Montreal got rid of their coach

 

[TheDrizzlerJ11]

Can't wait to watch him coach their way to another lottery pick!

 

[crimzonflame]

Good. The Leafs have the money they start paying (or overpaying) to get the best pieces available.

 

[Dr.Acula]

Gonna love these next 2 years of Babs before we fire him, go Leafs go!

 

[StudioTan]

Wow, nice.

 

[Chris R]

How loud will the boos be the first game back at the Joe?

 

[Wingfan19]

As a Wings fan all my life, I say this with utmost honesty...

Just as long as he takes Cleary, Weiss, Ericsson, and Smith with him.

 

[CreeperBlocks]

Is this the most a Team in the NHL has paid for a coach?

 

[Mortimer Brewster]

As a Wings fan all my life, I say this with utmost honesty...

Just as long as he takes Cleary, Weiss, Ericsson, and Smith with him.

I like your thinking. I was never worrying to mich about losing Babs, Holland will probably promote Blashill. He's gotten such great results out of the kids in GR, he migt be what we need to kickstart a new run of dominance.

 

[thelatestmodel]

Gonna love these next 2 years of Babs before we fire him, go Leafs go!

Leafs won't be firing him for 4-5 years at least, they went after him hard and his leash is slacker than probably any other coach ever.

Good for them, he's the best coach in the league and a big piece of the puzzle. They can afford it without even blinking, so it's win-win.

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

Yes, once the Leafs destroy the credibility of Hancock there'll be nowhere to go but down!

Spoiler

Coaching was never the Leafs problem.

 

[Circle Jerk]

Now just get rid of Kessel and Phaneuf and we can start an actual rebuild.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

This is how Toronto kills it's sport franchise. Spend that fucking money on players and maybe you'll get sucked into Round 1..

 

[RC]

I look forward to the cries of "fire Babcock"' from Leafs Nation 5 years from now.

 

[thelatestmodel]

This is how Toronto kills it's sport franchise. Spend that fucking money on players and maybe you'll get sucked into Round 1..

They can't spend the money on players, there is a salary cap.

The Leafs have millions and millions of dollars to throw around. This does not in any way create a problem for them.

 

[Quick]

This is how Toronto kills it's sport franchise. Spend that fucking money on players and maybe you'll get sucked into Round 1..

This is exactly how the team screwed itself over pre-salary cap.

I look forward to the cries of "fire Babcock"' from Leafs Nation 5 years from now.

I'm grinding my axe as we speak.

 

[ElNino]

Now just get rid of Kessel and Phaneuf and we can start an actual rebuild.

I'd keep Kessel but get rid of Phaneuf.

 

[The Elite]

Fire Babcock!

 

[thelatestmodel]

I'd keep Kessel but get rid of Phaneuf.

Same. Phaneuf is like a big, miserable black cloud hanging over that team. No leadership at all, he's just a decent 3-4 D on any other team. Kessel is a game-breaker when he wants to be.

 

[hydragonwarrior]

Oh gawd, he might be okay year 1 even if the Leafs don't make it to playoffs.
He will be whined at and scorned by year 2 when the Leafs don't make it to playoffs.

 

[ElNino]

Same. Phaneuf is like a big, miserable black cloud hanging over that team. No leadership at all, he's just a decent 3-4 D on any other team. Kessel is a game-breaker when he wants to be.

Agreed, Phaneuf was brought in the be a leader of the team (right or wrong) but he just isn't that player. Better to send him to a team where they won't rely on him as much and maybe we can parlay him into a decent center.

Also, Bernier needs to figure out how to be a consistent starting goalie. His best games are better than Reimer, but when we went to the playoffs Reimer was way more consistent at least.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

Salary cap

I can use some of that money. Do they need an extra defenseman?

 

[ElNino]

I can use some of that money. Do they need an extra defenseman?

Only if you are injured and won't count against the cap. (ie. Nathan Horton)

 

[WedgeX]

Good for the Leafs. Sad to see him leave Detroit but Blashill and Holland should go good things the next few years. How long until Toronto calls for Babcock's firing?

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

Leafs need to figure out what kind of team they want to be, and commit to drafting players to fit that team.

Why get Kessel, who's entire game is being a sniper, then try and force him to play two ways? It's not gonna happen. Either let him play his game or trade him.

 

[neobiz]

Good for the Leafs. Sad to see him leave Detroit but Blashill and Holland should go good things the next few years. How long until Toronto calls for Babcock's firing?

About post 21.

 

[thelatestmodel]

How long until Toronto calls for Babcock's firing?

Again, a good 4-5 years at least. The Leafs got the guy they wanted and paid a lot for him, this deal is absolutely unprecedented.

You don't spend $50 million to get a guy and then fire him two years later.

 

[hydragonwarrior]

Again, a good 4-5 years at least. The Leafs got the guy they wanted and paid a lot for him, this deal is absolutely unprecedented.

You don't spend $50 million to get a guy and then fire him two years later.

You don't know the Leafs fanbase.

 

[Stet]

i, for one, want to hear rosie dimanno's perspective

 

[thelatestmodel]

You don't know the Leafs fanbase.

Yes I do, I live in the GTA. I've heard all the stories. Blackhawks fan, but the Leafs are my second team.

This is the first time in decades that there has been an actual, complete fire sale on the entire Leafs staff. No reason to believe anything other than this will be a different looking team come September.

 

[shadowkat]

I hope this works out for the Leafs and what Shanahan is planning.

 

[Rafa=FedKilla]

Bad signing. He's the product of Detroit's renowned scouting and development system.

 

[Simon Belmont]

i, for one, want to hear rosie dimanno's perspective

I just threw up in my mouth.

A lot.

She's the worst writer ever.

 

[Maidenpool?]

I'd keep Kessel but get rid of Phaneuf.

Same