Toronto Maple Leafs: Mike Babcock Prepared for the Challenge that Lies Ahead
Toronto Maple Leafs: Mike Babcock Prepared for the Challenge that Lies Ahead
May 21, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs new head coach Mike Babcock smiles as he arrives at an introductory media conference with club president Brendan Shanahan at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
There was a big buzz in the room as the reporters, employees of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment and Leafs fans awaited the arrival of Mike Babcock to arrive to the press conference.
The new head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs did not promise a Stanley Cup right away, rather he expressed patience in the process. He understands that there is no quick fix for this team and in a way he had to convince himself, and those who were hiring him, that this will take time.
He also realizes that there will be pain in the process. But trust me, Babcock will not shy away from the pain of losing in order to get better and is prepared for the challenge that lies ahead. With the commitment made by MLSE they are ready as well.
Babcock says he asked MLSE: Are you willing to stick to (the re-build)? When it gets really hard, are you going to be with it?
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) May 21, 2015
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It looks like it took more than money to get Babcock to come to Toronto and by the looks of his calm demeanor he looks ready to take this challenge.
Did he take a big risk coming to Toronto? Of course, but if there is someone that understands what has to be done, especially where the Leafs are with their current group. He also understands how imperative the challenge is and what it would mean to get this team back on track.
Babcock knows how to pull the puppet strings. Proclaims: "I believe this is Canada’s team. We need to put Canada’s team back on the map."
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) May 21, 2015
May 21, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan (left) and new head coach Mike Babcock share a laugh during a media conference to announce Babcock signing with the club at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
There is the concern whether Babcock can work with a rebuilding team because he has not been in that position before. When he was in Detroit all the players were there for him and he acknowledged that he was fortunate with his situation in Detroit.
What will be important for the Leafs is how well Babcock and the management group will be able to work together. One name that Babcock mentioned as a big influence in his decision was Mark Hunter.
An under the radar hiring back in October but may be one of Brendan Shanahan’s best acquisitions as President along with the Babcock hiring. Hunter will get the quality players and it will be up to Babcock to make them work as a group.
Does that mean that Hunter will be the new GM? Not necessarily based on the lack of NHL experience.
Babcock: I have a ton of respect for Mark Hunter & have for a long time ... stresses need for good drafting
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) May 21, 2015
Babcock: "I didn't come here to make the playoffs. I came here to be part of a Cup process."
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) May 21, 2015
The elephant in the room was the rumours that Babcock backed away from an agreement with the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo media had their chance to ask him about that and essentially while Buffalo may have offered a better deal, Toronto was where Babcock and his family wanted to be.
He admits that there was a lot of ongoing talk with him and the Sabres but that was it. One reporter suggested that Babcock lied about having an agreement in order to leverage a better deal from the Leafs which provoked quite a reaction from people including Shanahan.
Shanahan: If Babcock signed with Buffalo we'd be upset but we wouldn't be accusing him of dastardly things
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) May 21, 2015
I know Mike Babcock. Lying is not part of his nature. Buffalo fans and media need to get over it.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 21, 2015
When it came to questions about the current roster there was not much discussed about specific players except for one, Dion Phaneuf. Many people are expecting that his time as a part of the Leafs is coming to an end but Babcock did not suggest but he did not deny it.
Babcock on Phaneuf: "I'm going to get to know Dion & he's going to get to know me"
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) May 21, 2015
Babcock: "You have to help your leaders ... help them do things right ... I'm a fan of Dion. He works hard & tries hard."
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) May 21, 2015
Apr 8, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) and right wing Phil Kessel (81) talk against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Does that mean that Phaneuf stays? What does this mean about Phil Kessel?
Once Babcock gets settled he will discuss with the management staff who he can work with moving forward and who they should cut bait with.
The other thing to remember is that if Phaneuf has already decided that he does not want to stay here (he was nearly dealt at the trade deadline), but that could change with Babcock here. But if there is any doubt of whether Phaneuf wants to be here then Shanahan should explore trade options.
Kessel says that he wants to be here but if he is unwilling to buy into Babcock’s system do not expect the Leafs to pick sides, especially with the sizeable commitment they made to Babcock.
May 21, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs new head coach Mike Babcock smiles as he answers questions during a media conference to announce his signing with the club at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
It looks like Babcock will not shy away from the pressure of the Toronto media either because he was not phased by the enormous crowd at the press conference.
What Leafs fans should be thrilled about it is Shanahan’s continuous effort to build one of the best front office staff in the NHL and hopefully that can translate on the ice.