OT: Leafs Hire Mike Babcock as HC 8yr/50M

[ontnut]

Dumb. My friends who are Red Wings fans didn't care if he left. 8 years is absurd.

Don't be thick. He's easily one of the best coaches in hockey today.

I'm not saying he's not. It still doesn't make sense for the Leafs to hire him for 8 years in their current position.

From what I've read (don't know if true), its 5 years guaranteed with an out for the last 3. Thus front loaded contract $ wise. 5 years is not a bitter pill to swallow. Even if they fire him after 4, who cares? It's not your money and it doesn't count against the cap. It's basically a no-lose situation for leafs fans and the team itself. Also will likely help in recruiting free agents down the line, who want to play for a top tier coach. No reason to look badly upon this signing

[Dukenukem23]

Amazing hire, this guy's the best hickey mind bar none. He will go a long way to making the Leafs successful, but I should stressthat a coach can only do so much without the personnel. Hopefully they can add some players through the draft and free agency that don't chock under the big lights.

This is the equivalent of the raptors hiring pop BTW. I would shot my pants if that ever happened.

[thunderforce]

Not going to make a difference until they hire detroits scouts , then come and talk to me .

[Ivan Playoff]

See, MLSE isn't the problem. They will spend money.

[CrookedJ]

They didn't say it today...

The 8 year contract to me says that the leafs will still go through with a real rebuild

It says to me, in three years the team will still suck, the players will hate the coach, the coach will hate the players, and everyone will be like, "great, we're paying this guy for another 5 years."

Agreed. They had to give him 8 to get him, but MLSE will expect the rebuild to be over in 2 years max. When have they ever had any patience for things?

[Raptorfan2012]

Raptor fans have to remember MLSE basically did the same thing to get Masai. Just throw a boat load of money

[Bankai]

Raptor fans have to remember MLSE basically did the same thing to get Masai. Just throw a boat load of money

Now if only they threw a boat load of money at Thibodeau, instead of sticking with Casey and just finding new Assistants as a cost saving move...

[redeye514]

Who cares, the roster is still trash and in cap hell. Leafs fan will now expect playoffs next year, destroying any real chance of a multi year rebuild. When the Leafs fail to make it, again, they will then want Babcock's head on a platter. Mark my words, Leaf fans will be done with Babcock in 2016.

[ruckus]

WOW! I've been listening to a lot of sports radio lately and, I thought the general consensus was that he was going to Buffalo for $50M. The Leafs were already counted out. Now how long until fans start calling for his head? I give them 2 years.

[kidr1211]

leaf haters mad the goat franchise got the best coach in the nhl loving the tears tbh

[OakleyDokely]

This is what MLSE should be doing. Whether Babcock gets paid 1M or 50M who cares, it doesn't count against the cap. There's no reason why the Toronto sports teams shouldn't have the absolute best coaching/front office/scouting that money can buy in the the different leagues.

[VinBaker6]

**** hockey

[Steven1562]

Who cares, the roster is still trash and in cap hell. Leafs fan will now expect playoffs next year, destroying any real chance of a multi year rebuild. When the Leafs fail to make it, again, they will then want Babcock's head on a platter. Mark my words, Leaf fans will be done with Babcock in 2016.

lol he wouldn't sign 8 years if he wasn't gonna be here for the long term. Brendan Shanahan is gonna make this a long rebuild even if Leafs fans complain

[omar36]

this bode wells for the raps, if they are willing to spend that much on a coach.

i love this move for the leafs, babcock is prolly the best in the league. they can now rebuild with who he wants.
next up, trading dion/kessel

[tms]

kinda reminds me of when they signed Burke. best guy available. Stanley Cup champ. HOF pedigree. soon to realize makes no difference if the team sucks = Babcock thrown under the bus. lather rinse repeat .

Burke took the team to the only playoff appearence they've had in the last 10 or so years. He would've easily made the team better, but got fired because he was caught banging some chick or sumthin (i unno the story).

Good hire by leafs. Coach has much more impact in hockey.

Burke didn't make the playoffs in Toronto. He was thrown under the bus just before that season started.

[Flight33]

They're still going to miss the playoffs.

[AbC?]

Like everything that's ever happened in Toronto sports, this will only end badly.

[Steven1562]

kinda reminds me of when they signed Burke. best guy available. Stanley Cup champ. HOF pedigree. soon to realize makes no difference if the team sucks = Babcock thrown under the bus. lather rinse repeat .

Burke took the team to the only playoff appearence they've had in the last 10 or so years. He would've easily made the team better, but got fired because he was caught banging some chick or sumthin (i unno the story).

Good hire by leafs. Coach has much more impact in hockey.

Burke didn't make the playoffs in Toronto. He was thrown under the bus just before that season started.

Burke is a terrible GM. Made a kneejerk reaction trade by moving 2 first rounders and a 2nd rounder for Phil Kessel and then traded for Dion. They made the playoffs in a shortened season then his "core" showed what it's made of by missing the playoffs in the past 2 years.

[TdotRap4Lyfe]

I wish I could say I knew or could care who Mike Babcock, but frankly I just feel disappointed by merely reading the name, Babcock. Also, I know this is OT, but I don't really care about the Leafs. so long as they beat Knicks by not being the worst franchise in North America.

[Swervin81]

This is the happiest I've been as a Leaf fan in 12 years. The team ain't sniffing **** in the next 4 years at least. But I'm fine with that if it's a proper, well done rebuild.