Coach Mike Babcock

[Highlander]

Babs lives in a Man-chin

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Babs lives in a Man-chin

 

[Highlander]

Funny we used to say Brian Mulroney lived in a Man-chin but must admit he lived in a bigger chin than Babs

 

[hockeyfan1]

Why Babcock will be successful in turning the Leafs into a contender:

Seven reasons:
1) Winning History
2)  Media Spotlight
3)  Attractive to Free Agents
4)  Bringing the Red Wings Culture to Toronto
5)  Huge Contract
6)  Experience
7)  Relationship with Brendan Shanahan

For the details to each, click here:
http://www.sportsbreak.com/nhl/7-reasons-mike-babcock-will-turn-the-maple-leafs-into-a-contender/

 

[Highlander]

I seem to remember but could be wrong that Nik told me that Shanny and Babs were not friends at all. Didn't like each other really, wouldnt save the elevator door open..that kind of thing.  I said from the beginning that Babs would be here. At that time I called him the one that must not be named.. LOL

 

[Kin]

I seem to remember but could be wrong that Nik told me that Shanny and Babs were not friends at all. Didn't like each other really, wouldnt save the elevator door open..that kind of thing.

Well, to the surprise of absolutely nobody you are, in fact, wrong. Both in the sense that I never said anything definitive about Shanahan and Babcock's relationship prior to this and, whoever did, hasn't been proven wrong by this super definitive article from ultra reliable "Sportsbreak.com". It doesn't even allege that they do like each other particularly. All it says is that they're familiar with each other and that it was Shanahan who went hard after Babcock which may be something he did despite of personal feelings and not necessarily because of them.

But, hey, kudos on keeping the streak alive.

 

[Highlander]

tanks for the memories Nik. 

 

[LuncheonMeat]

There were a couple of interesting quotes this week tied to Babcock.  The first was regarding Zach Hyman and what an honor it would be to play for him.  The other was an article about DJ Smith (Alter).  It mentions that there were a bunch of suitors for his services, but that Babcock had a big hand in his decision to join the Leafs:

?The big draw for me with Mike is that he not only develops players, he develops coaches. And I?m looking to get better. I need to push myself and I think it?s the perfect time to move on after winning the Memorial Cup and a new chapter and a new challenge in my life.?

So how much of a draw is this guy?  Can he snap his fingers and manipulate people's minds?  Is Stamkos tucked in bed in his Leaf jammies, dreaming of playing for Mike?  Can he bring the boys back home?

 

[Kin]

I think you should probably make a distinction between the pull someone has and the pull ascribed to that someone by people who've already taken jobs/accepted offers. I don't know a ton about the payscale for OHL coaches but I assume that Smith got a pretty nice bump to come to the NHL as well.

So I think with Babcock himself the pull will be relatively small. Money and opportunity, I think, will still make up the bulk of UFA decisions. I think that if someone like Stamkos is inclined to come play in Toronto anyway it might be, you know, added incentive and Babcock might go a ways to convincing guys they're not signing up to play for a losing team indefinitely but I wouldn't go overboard.

 

[rdowdall]

... but I wouldn't go overboard.

Fans of a hockey team in Canada go overboard?  Can't see that happening.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

I think you should probably make a distinction between the pull someone has and the pull ascribed to that someone by people who've already taken jobs/accepted offers. I don't know a ton about the payscale for OHL coaches but I assume that Smith got a pretty nice bump to come to the NHL as well.

So I think with Babcock himself the pull will be relatively small. Money and opportunity, I think, will still make up the bulk of UFA decisions. I think that if someone like Stamkos is inclined to come play in Toronto anyway it might be, you know, added incentive and Babcock might go a ways to convincing guys they're not signing up to play for a losing team indefinitely but I wouldn't go overboard.

I'm not going overboard, I suppose I'm just trying to quantify what influence Babcock might have in terms of signing free agents. Is it really an advantage on its own, or is it negligible.  It will be interesting to see who attributes him coaching as being a factor in coming to the Leafs. I can't recall a player saying, wow, I sure am excited to come to the Leafs and play for Ron Wilson/Randy Carlyle, etc.

 

[hobarth]

I can't believe Leaf fans are still harboring delusions that Stamkos might sign with TO no matter who's coaching. Actually I guess it makes sense, why not leave one of the nicest areas of NA to live, leave a Stanley Cup contender to be close to Mom, waste the last productive years of his career to help TO retool/rebuild and if the stars align just perfectly we might be privileged enough to watch him toil while eating up max cap dollars so in essence TO won't have enough $s to sign or retain other quality players, bound to happen, can't wait.

 

[rdowdall]

I can't believe Leaf fans are still harboring delusions that Stamkos might sign with TO no matter who's coaching. Actually I guess it makes sense, why not leave one of the nicest areas of NA to live, leave a Stanley Cup contender to be close to Mom, waste the last productive years of his career to help TO retool/rebuild and if the stars align just perfectly we might be privileged enough to watch him toil while eating up max cap dollars so in essence TO won't have enough $s to sign or retain other quality players, bound to happen, can't wait.

You're like nutman's arch enemy.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I can't believe Leaf fans are still harboring delusions that Stamkos might sign with TO no matter who's coaching. Actually I guess it makes sense, why not leave one of the nicest areas of NA to live, leave a Stanley Cup contender to be close to Mom, waste the last productive years of his career to help TO retool/rebuild and if the stars align just perfectly we might be privileged enough to watch him toil while eating up max cap dollars so in essence TO won't have enough $s to sign or retain other quality players, bound to happen, can't wait.

You're like nutman's arch enemy.

That's a great post, not sexy, but definitely the best post available.

 

[rdowdall]

I can't believe Leaf fans are still harboring delusions that Stamkos might sign with TO no matter who's coaching. Actually I guess it makes sense, why not leave one of the nicest areas of NA to live, leave a Stanley Cup contender to be close to Mom, waste the last productive years of his career to help TO retool/rebuild and if the stars align just perfectly we might be privileged enough to watch him toil while eating up max cap dollars so in essence TO won't have enough $s to sign or retain other quality players, bound to happen, can't wait.

You're like nutman's arch enemy.

That's a great post, not sexy, but definitely the best post available.

Now you sound like my wife on our wedding day.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

I can't believe Leaf fans are still harboring delusions that Stamkos might sign with TO no matter who's coaching. Actually I guess it makes sense, why not leave one of the nicest areas of NA to live, leave a Stanley Cup contender to be close to Mom, waste the last productive years of his career to help TO retool/rebuild and if the stars align just perfectly we might be privileged enough to watch him toil while eating up max cap dollars so in essence TO won't have enough $s to sign or retain other quality players, bound to happen, can't wait.

You haven't been around much, huh?

 

[louisstamos]

I can't believe Leaf fans are still harboring delusions that Stamkos might sign with TO no matter who's coaching. Actually I guess it makes sense, why not leave one of the nicest areas of NA to live, leave a Stanley Cup contender to be close to Mom, waste the last productive years of his career to help TO retool/rebuild and if the stars align just perfectly we might be privileged enough to watch him toil while eating up max cap dollars so in essence TO won't have enough $s to sign or retain other quality players, bound to happen, can't wait.

You haven't been around much, huh?

I'm actually in Tampa right now for vacation...it's pretty sweet.

 

[Redleaf]

I think you should probably make a distinction between the pull someone has and the pull ascribed to that someone by people who've already taken jobs/accepted offers. I don't know a ton about the payscale for OHL coaches but I assume that Smith got a pretty nice bump to come to the NHL as well.

So I think with Babcock himself the pull will be relatively small. Money and opportunity, I think, will still make up the bulk of UFA decisions. I think that if someone like Stamkos is inclined to come play in Toronto anyway it might be, you know, added incentive and Babcock might go a ways to convincing guys they're not signing up to play for a losing team indefinitely but I wouldn't go overboard.

Nobody knows anything about what goes on around here but you man. Oh, and everyone loves to be put straight too. Keep up the good work! Brilliant.

 

[Andy007]

I think you should probably make a distinction between the pull someone has and the pull ascribed to that someone by people who've already taken jobs/accepted offers. I don't know a ton about the payscale for OHL coaches but I assume that Smith got a pretty nice bump to come to the NHL as well.

So I think with Babcock himself the pull will be relatively small. Money and opportunity, I think, will still make up the bulk of UFA decisions. I think that if someone like Stamkos is inclined to come play in Toronto anyway it might be, you know, added incentive and Babcock might go a ways to convincing guys they're not signing up to play for a losing team indefinitely but I wouldn't go overboard.

Nobody knows anything about what goes on around here but you man. Oh, and everyone loves to be put straight too. Keep up the good work! Brilliant.

And we have you to keep whining and complaining about posts that you don't agree with instead of, you know, actually using words or an argument to refute something.

 

[Redleaf]

I think you should probably make a distinction between the pull someone has and the pull ascribed to that someone by people who've already taken jobs/accepted offers. I don't know a ton about the payscale for OHL coaches but I assume that Smith got a pretty nice bump to come to the NHL as well.

So I think with Babcock himself the pull will be relatively small. Money and opportunity, I think, will still make up the bulk of UFA decisions. I think that if someone like Stamkos is inclined to come play in Toronto anyway it might be, you know, added incentive and Babcock might go a ways to convincing guys they're not signing up to play for a losing team indefinitely but I wouldn't go overboard.

Nobody knows anything about what goes on around here but you man. Oh, and everyone loves to be put straight too. Keep up the good work! Brilliant.

And we have you to keep whining and complaining about posts that you don't agree with instead of, you know, actually using words or an argument to refute something.

Gotcha. But in fairness, I've argued and refuted enough on these boards to get a sense of the way 'some posters' treat others to throw in a much deserved jab of my own every now and then. And this wasn't a reaction to 'what' was being said, but rather how it (and the other one a few posts back) was delivered. If you don't agree with me, I hope you can at least respect my intent.