[News] Leafs hire Babcock (8yr contract, $50 million)

[sureLoss]

parade planning party next?

Steve Kouleas @stevekouleas
Cars honking horns and many happy people in the suburb of Whitby ....
Reminds me of pat burns in 1992
#passion returns

[habernac]

the coaches fraternity rejoices with that contract, crazy!

[PeteMoss]

I think Babcock is a good coach... but he's not that much better than everyone that he should get double what everyone else gets. More likely in not that in two/three years everyone is wondering what they were thinking with this deal. That said given the fickleness in coaching reputation, smart of Babcock to the take the money.

Let's not forget that guys like Torterella and Mike Keenan were once considered the best coaches around and now they can't get a job in the NHL.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Imagine the hell that's coming down on him when they haven't won the Cup after 2 years. I hope he's ready for the most unrealistic expectations of his life. And this is a guy who coached the Olympic team twice.

I think a guy of his stature will be given the benefit of the doubt, and a longer leash than 2 years, even in TO.

Leaf Nation and the media may be insane, but not so insane to think that it should be an expectation to win the cup within 2 years.

[Buff]

In his first year he'll make as much as the highest paid player on the team, Kessel (his AAV).

[ComixZone]

Good move for Toronto.

They don't have their cornerstone prospects/talent in place yet, so they hire a coach who will build the culture to nurture/develop the incoming youth movement.

People who say he's money chasing are wrong. Of course it has something to do with it, but he's also getting in at the ground floor. He's there to build a winner.

[Ashasx]

I'm more interested in who's going to coach Detroit now.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

parade planning party next?

Steve Kouleas @stevekouleas
Cars honking horns and many happy people in the suburb of Whitby ....
Reminds me of pat burns in 1992
#passion returns

lol ridiculous

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

Of course money is a motivator, but that doesn't mean he's not there to win. I'm sure he will enjoy a team that can be considered a project. Imagine the satisfaction of turning that franchise around, in the centre of the universe.

Back when Cliff Fletcher left the Flames to take the Leafs job, it was suggested that he felt he could really do no more in this market. He wanted to go to a bigger fish bowl and build a winner there.

I think this is what's happened here. When you consider how fast things can change in the NHL, just because Toronto is a loser today doesn't mean that with Babcock three years from now they're not.

People who truly believe in themselves, can go anywhere and win in time. At this point in time what's left for Babcock to win? Winning in Toronto is probably the most challenging job in the league, and he stepped up to it. He made sure to cover his arse and get lots of money and lots of term to help him do it.

[Locke]

Holy Crap!

I dont know if this is going to be good for anyone.

Todd McLellan is probably going to be pissed that he didnt wait for this new precedent to be set.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I'm more interested in who's going to coach Detroit now.

seems like the consensus is that they will promote Jeff Blashill from the AHL

[dammage79]

If I am not mistaken, the two biggest coaches on the market were the first off of the market and both were products of the Red Wings system. There's obviously an inherent value to prying people out of that organization. A priority for a lot of Franchises. They may not win cups every year but they're always there.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Back when Cliff Fletcher left the Flames to take the Leafs job, it was suggested that he felt he could really do no more in this market. He wanted to go to a bigger fish bowl and build a winner there.

I think this is what's happened here. When you consider how fast things can change in the NHL, just because Toronto is a loser today doesn't mean that with Babcock three years from now they're not.

People who truly believe in themselves, can go anywhere and win in time. At this point in time what's left for Babcock to win? Winning in Toronto is probably the most challenging job in the league, and he stepped up to it. He made sure to cover his arse and get lots of money and lots of term to help him do it.

Yep. Sure he took the money but you can't call him a chicken as this was the biggest challenge available in the league. Oilers are a mess but the Edmonton media and fan base can and have been sold on polished turds. Expectations will be unreasonable in Toronto from day one and patience will be non-existent.

[dino7c]

is he a great coach or did he just have great players?

likely a bit of both

should be interesting

[powderjunkie]

I suspect the fanbase will be patient for 18 months, they will get a glimpse of success season after next and sell the farm...then go full blown Toronto.

[station]

Wow, I bet Gary is having a fit today. Wonder if we'll ever see a salary cap for coaches.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by station

Wow, I bet Gary is having a fit today. Wonder if we'll ever see a salary cap for coaches.

Why would Gary care?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dammage79

If I am not mistaken, the two biggest coaches on the market were the first off of the market and both were products of the Red Wings system. There's obviously an inherent value to prying people out of that organization. A priority for a lot of Franchises. They may not win cups every year but they're always there.

Much like all the ex-Patriots coaches and managers non of them have won a thing on their own. Lighting look promising under Yzerman though.

[dammage79]

If they hated Burke in TOR, Babcock is bound to be disliked for his no nonsense interview style too.

[CSharp]

That would be so sweet to see the Leafs become just a bubble team for the next 8 years just to be good enough to be in 9th or 10th place - on the outside looking in every single year.