Until the Leafs hierarchy clarifies whether head coach Randy Carlyle will be retained as head coach, scenarios of potential replacements will continue to be bandied about.
One high profile bench boss deflected the possibility of heading to Toronto, as Red Wings coach Mike Babcock stated in an interview with a Calgary radio station his feelings about staying in Detroit past the end of the 2014-15 season and the prospect of replacing Carlyle.
“Well, that’s not right for Randy Carlyle, so let’s get that straight.” Babcock said on
Sportsnet 960 Wednesday morning. “I’m real comfortable with my situation(in Detroit). I’ve been working for an owner and a general manager for nine years. We have a good relationship.”
Babcock is not slamming the door of moving to another NHL club down the line, but is encouraged by the influx of young talent with the Red Wings organization and does not know if there is a better scenario open to him.
“I love what we’ve got going on in Detroit. I think we’re really building a program,” Babcock said. “I also think as a head coach, when you’re looking for opportunity out there and if you’re thinking of moving, you’d better make sure the grass is greener on the other side. What I’ve found in life is it usually is not.”
New Jersey coach Peter DeBoer also reflected on rumors regarding interest from Toronto and said that while having feelings for the organization that drafted him, his interests were to stay with the Devils, with whom he reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2012.
“I’m a New Jersey Devil through and through.” DeBoer said on Toronto’s TSN 1050 Wednesday. “I wanted nothing more than the opportunity to come back and try and get our group back into the playoffs where I feel we belong.”
*******
Leafs draft pick and Guelph team captain Matt Finn continue to impress, as the Storm lead their best-of-seven OHL Final 2-1 over the North Bay Battalion and play Game Four of the series tonight in North Bay.
The 20-year-old defenseman was Toronto’s second round pick in 2012 and is following up an excellent 2013-14 regular season(14 goals, 47 assists in 66 games) with an equally productive post-season, as the blueliner is third in OHL defensive scoring with 12 points in 18 playoff games.
“He plays in all situations,” Leafs player development adviser Steve Staios said
in a piece by the Toronto Star’s Kevin McGran last week. “He’s good on the power play, where he can get shots through. He’s simple with puck movement, but efficient.”
Finn signed a three-year entry level deal with the Leafs last November and is expected to continue his pro development with the Toronto Marlies next season.
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