You must of been in the room when he was signing his contract to see that clause where he gets the power to veto any move made by the GM. He said openly in the interview with Dreger that he's a coach that what he does. He has no skills to be a GM so he'll leave that up to the GM. Sure he'll have an opinion but he won't be Vetoing anything. Suck it up you guys still have babs lite
- HealthyScratch6

It was reported by puck daddy 8 hrs ago that he will work with Shanny on all personnel moves and no out clause in his deal. So the coach works with the president despite the GM.

clearly u dont know hockey okay he wanted him in detroit well he is not there anymore right he is in toronto ,and clearly dion does not fit into the scheme that the younger players are slowly key word in slowly molding ,and as for kessel his ego will not do well clashing against babs geuss who loses that fight?? so yes you can borrow my glass ball for a moment and when this does happen ill gladly post this message saying i was right .now to finish my prediction as to why lupul and kadri stays it comes down to leader ship with babs being who he is and having his way they can and have the greatest chance to preform well under how babs likes to run the show go watch some old detroit videos you can grab any young player like them and put them on any other team and they wouldnt preform like they would and do for babs he is a man of vision he knows what winning is and what winning does toronto is going to be taking notes

Kessel is paid on par with the other top 5 scorers of the past 5 years. no star power 19-25? ahh Rielly, Nylander, Brown, Strome/Marner/Hanifin?? least desirable destination??? dude it's not ottawa.

Babcock took the money, but he has a chance to become a hero in Toronto
- GardinerExpress

Ya kessel is worth 8 and Ryan is worth 7.25... both need to pick thier @$$ up. who the hell is brown and what the hell has he won?

Strome or Marner... ya I'll give them that when they have it. Trade those players along with JVR. trade everyone except MR and WN.

"Yes it’s stupid money, and stupid term for that matter, but it’s the Leafs after all.

Stupid is who they are. It’s what they do"

Show some class man, it's bad enough having so many leaf haters here bashing the team and it's fan base every chance they get but having the bloggers chime in with comments like that is just sad. I would think you should be held to a higher standard than the trolls.
- justmike

At the same time, you can always count on one team to make a stupid decision because they have the money to do so, and 90% of the time it's the Leafs making the decision. Just saying.

At the same time, you can always count on one team to make a stupid decision because they have the money to do so, and 90% of the time it's the Leafs making the decision. Just saying.
- dps0610

Canes have no money and still make stupid decisions.

How are the staal, semin, ward and skinner contracts working out for you guys?

Look he was a free agent head coach. He went to the highest bidder, that's pretty much how the process works for players and it's trickling down to coaches too. You can claim the number is stupidly high but that could also mean the league is doing good and owners have money to blow on high salaried coaches and players.


As for the Leafs getting him, good on them. They did nothing wrong, used their resources perfectly. They had more money than Det. and they showed it. He brings a culture and structure to the leafs that the franchise is lacking and someone the media actually respects. It's gonna be fun to see their next moves as well as the wings. Hopefully both teams are super competitive and can have playoff battles for years.

Look he was a free agent head coach. He went to the highest bidder, that's pretty much how the process works for players and it's trickling down to coaches too. You can claim the number is stupidly high but that could also mean the league is doing good and owners have money to blow on high salaried coaches and players.


As for the Leafs getting him, good on them. They did nothing wrong, used their resources perfectly. They had more money than Det. and they showed it. He brings a culture and structure to the leafs that the franchise is lacking and someone the media actually respects. It's gonna be fun to see their next moves as well as the wings. Hopefully both teams are super competitive and can have playoff battles for years.
- jps7878

Money wasn't the issue with Detroit...

Its pretty obvious what Babcock's motivation was here and I can't say I blame him. My thought is why would the Leafs bring in the big gun to slog through a rebuild. Did they just want to show off a shiny new toy? Culture change? They are rebuilding right?

My point is, if they were going to blow it up anyway, why bring in Babcock who could, in four years, with a VERY impatient TO media and fanbase be a $6MM+ per year fall guy. Get someone else in there to take bullets while the team gets blown up and you are getting blue chip players via the draft. When you have the bodies for a sustained run, then you bring in Babcock or super coach X to run with it.

Unless they think they can tweak this roster and win soon? They need to figure out what they are doing here...and probably should have done it before getting the coach

embarrassing for our game and for him .. next eight years ... wow ... lucky if they make the playoffs in that time.
- Snipes8686

Not embarrassing at all. the Leafs are the most profitable team in the NHL. They should be able to use that to their advantage somehow. And with a salary cap, that advantage Is severely limited. reinvesting the profits "back into the business" is plain smart management and should have been executed the moment the cap came in. Hire the best scouts, managers, trainers, coaches, GMS, water boys, puck bunnies, massage therapists, analysts and mascot !!! Again that advantage should have been used the moment the cap came into effect. they are finally doing it right. We may have a few years of pain but well worth it.

Just my 1.75 cents.

Its pretty obvious what Babcock's motivation was here and I can't say I blame him. My thought is why would the Leafs bring in the big gun to slog through a rebuild. Did they just want to show off a shiny new toy? Culture change? They are rebuilding right?

My point is, if they were going to blow it up anyway, why bring in Babcock who could, in four years, with a VERY impatient TO media and fanbase be a $6MM+ per year fall guy. Get someone else in there to take bullets while the team gets blown up and you are getting blue chip players via the draft. When you have the bodies for a sustained run, then you bring in Babcock or super coach X to run with it.

Unless they think they can tweak this roster and win soon? They need to figure out what they are doing here...and probably should have done it before getting the coach
- grubshph

You want to have the right attitude and culture even during the beginning stage of a rebuild.

Look he was a free agent head coach. He went to the highest bidder, that's pretty much how the process works for players and it's trickling down to coaches too. You can claim the number is stupidly high but that could also mean the league is doing good and owners have money to blow on high salaried coaches and players.


As for the Leafs getting him, good on them. They did nothing wrong, used their resources perfectly. They had more money than Det. and they showed it. He brings a culture and structure to the leafs that the franchise is lacking and someone the media actually respects. It's gonna be fun to see their next moves as well as the wings. Hopefully both teams are super competitive and can have playoff battles for years.
- jps7878

Not to be that guy but the Detroit offer had more to do with Holland and illitch's egos than it did money.

Agreed. And it seems like he'll have plenty of input to build the team that he wants. As far as family goes, there are many beautiful areas in and around Toronto where they'll be able to live an awesome, comfortable life... and of course have some money to soften the blow.

To put it another way, Jeff Finger + David Clarkson = $51.75m... as far as usage of money goes, it'd be a foolish person to suggest that this is not $50m better spent.
- lumlums

Just a thought...

has anyone considered adding a "LIKE" button to the site ? And a dislike button ? Then track stats for overall likes and dislikes for all users. Would be great for analytic buffs ( which I believe there are a few on this site). Maybe build in incentives for high percentage commentators like 6 months premium membership. And may reduce trolling (although it can be entertaining). More people will spend time offering up quality (me) vs quantity (igg...bf..something).

You want to have the right attitude and culture even during the beginning stage of a rebuild.
- Mr_Underwood

Oh I get that but thats essentially the only thing you'll be paying him a boatload of dough for for the next 5 years....changing the culture. They don't have the horses to win and they have very little top 6 / top 4 potential (on a good team) under 23. Reilly looks very good but its been one year. Nylander looks okay but is completely unproven. Many more have failed than succeeded in the position he is in. #4 this year. Umm...what else is there?

Also with Babcock as coach, will they ever bottom out enough to get the top draft picks?

you must be a real hoot with the ladies
- GardinerExpress

yea cause they know i'm not a joke

Oh I get that but thats essentially the only thing you'll be paying him a boatload of dough for for the next 5 years....changing the culture. They don't have the horses to win and they have very little top 6 / top 4 potential (on a good team) under 23. Reilly looks very good but its been one year. Nylander looks okay but is completely unproven. Many more have failed than succeeded in the position he is in. #4 this year. Umm...what else is there?

Also with Babcock as coach, will they ever bottom out enough to get the top draft picks?
- grubshph

Have you seen the roster? I thought everyone agreed, it's the worst roster in the NHL?

Its pretty obvious what Babcock's motivation was here and I can't say I blame him. My thought is why would the Leafs bring in the big gun to slog through a rebuild. Did they just want to show off a shiny new toy? Culture change? They are rebuilding right?

My point is, if they were going to blow it up anyway, why bring in Babcock who could, in four years, with a VERY impatient TO media and fanbase be a $6MM+ per year fall guy. Get someone else in there to take bullets while the team gets blown up and you are getting blue chip players via the draft. When you have the bodies for a sustained run, then you bring in Babcock or super coach X to run with it.

Unless they think they can tweak this roster and win soon? They need to figure out what they are doing here...and probably should have done it before getting the coach
- grubshph

because leaf fans are as dumb as their organization they're going to have to rebuild but they need someone to fill the seats... babcock is the shiny

because leaf fans are as dumb as their organization they're going to have to rebuild but they need someone to fill the seats... babcock is the shiny
- 2Real

WTF.

You suggesting Leafs fans won't watch a losing team. WTF is going on here?

Just a thought...

has anyone considered adding a "LIKE" button to the site ? And a dislike button ? Then track stats for overall likes and dislikes for all users. Would be great for analytic buffs ( which I believe there are a few on this site). Maybe build in incentives for high percentage commentators like 6 months premium membership. And may reduce trolling (although it can be entertaining). More people will spend time offering up quality (me) vs quantity (igg...bf..something).
- marklaprise

it's called reddit you're free to go post on the hockey boards there

Not to be that guy but the Detroit offer had more to do with Holland and illitch's egos than it did money.
- Mr_Underwood

This. If Illitch wanted him back he'd be back.

This. If Illitch wanted him back he'd be back.
- Pasha13

If Pegula wanted him, he'd go there are well.

No one wanted Babcock.

WTF.

You suggesting Leafs fans won't watch a losing team. WTF is going on here?
- walshyleafsfan

this past year could have been the start of it with them throwing so many jersey's on the ice but now they got the babcock and they think he's the next best thing to jesus

You sound both bitter and jealous. As well as angry and emotionally unstable.
- systemtool

He's just angry because his "captain" bailed to Detroit AND now toronto has the Detroit coach. Therfore Toronto has a bit of Alf on their team. Something something, beer

this past year could have been the start of it with them throwing so many jersey's on the ice but now they got the babcock and they think he's the next best thing to jesus
- 2Real

This has happened for many a year

it's called reddit you're free to go post on the hockey boards there
- 2Real

You've been on point with your comments, they've gave me a good laugh.

Yeahhhhhhh almighty Babcock... Same number of cups as caryle... Almost lost to Ted Nolans Latvia if it wasn't for Price.. Wooooooo cup to
Toronto yaaaaaa..... We have 2 potential nhlers in our system ... 5"8 connor brown and skinny SHElander
- QuickSCF

Careful, this guy has a QUICK temper. ..