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Babcock attempts to defuse hints of rift with Dubas; Leafs vs. Rangers

March 23, 2019, 1:00 PM ET [309 Comments]
Mike Augello
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Signs of a philosophical divide between Mike Babcock and Kyle Dubas gained momentum last week when the Leafs head coach made comments about how the lack of depth was affecting the club. Babcock did his best to quell rumors of a rift with Dubas on Friday, after practice at the Mastercard Centre in Etobicoke, ON.

“My first general manager in the NHL was a gentleman named Bryan Murray and one of the first things he told me was ‘as a coach and GM, never let anyone get between you and if you do, you’re going to be in trouble. That relationship’s so important.” Babcock said. “My relationship (with Kyle) isn’t as good as it will be four years from now. Mine with (Wings GM) Ken Holland wasn’t as good in my first as my 10th year, or Bryan in my first as in my third. It takes a while to build.”

Babcock has openly lobbied for upgrades before each of the last three trade deadlines. Lou Lamoriello brought in Brian Boyle and Tomas Plekanec to plug the fourth line center hole in 2017 and 2018, but Dubas only added the versatile Nic Petan and did not bolster the club’s defense.

“We’ve got to keep improving our depth, we all know it. That’s what (Kyle is) trying to do, what Jimmy Paliafito is trying to do, myself, Sheldon Keefe...what we’re all trying to do so we can be like these teams. Tampa is just a model of what depth is and it doesn’t matter if you get guys hurt or not.” Babcock said. “If there was any slap at anyone, it sure wasn’t intended.”
The reported turmoil has drawn comments outside of Toronto, as Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and Hall-of-famer Chris Chrlios criticized the Maple Leafs rebuild, their problems on defense and Babcock himself.

Melnyk’s comments were likely floated to deflect his recent comments about Sens fan base, Ottawa mayor Jim Watson, the collapse of plans for an arena in downtown Ottawa and numerous other items that make his organization look like the tire fire that it is.

Chelios has long been a critic of Babcock, going back to his days as a player in Detroit, and his vitriol towards the Leafs head coach was aired publicly earlier this week when he expressed hope that Babcock gets fired and replaced by three-time Cup winner Joel Quenneville. In spite of how much as the Hall-of-Fame defenseman hopes it will happen, the Leafs head coach has four years remaining on his eight-year, $50 Million contract and even if Toronto loses in the first round, Babcock’s job is not in danger.

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The Leafs take on the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. Frederik Gauthier is expected to make his return after missing two games with a foot injury. William Nylander was held out of practice on Friday, but is expected to be in the lineup.
Martin Marincin is still out with the flu, which means that Igor Ozhiganov and Justin Holl will make up the Leafs bottom pairing.

Frederik Andersen will make 55th start for Toronto, with no signs that the Leafs will give their starter any extra rest trailing Boston by six points in the race for home-ice advantage with eight games left. Alexandar Georgiev (who faced 56 shots in a 4-1 Rangers win at MSG) will start for New York.

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