Former Maple Leafs Star Blasts Mike Babcock, Calls Him A “Bully” Amid Interest From Oilers

Mike Babcock was the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2019 and led them to 3 playoff berths.

Former Maple Leafs Star Blasts Mike Babcock, Calls Him A “Bully” Amid Interest From Oilers

Mike Babcock (Image via CBC)

The name of Mike Babcock has once again come up in hockey discussions following reports of the Edmonton Oilers being interested in hiring him as their new head coach. Amidst this, a former Toronto Maple Leafs star blasted him and called him a “bully.”

Babcock has been out of the NHL since he left the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023. After joining the team in July, the veteran head coach found himself under the spotlight amid allegations of invasion of privacy.

He was alleged to have gone through the phones of players. In September, he stepped down from his position and left the organization without coaching a single official game.

Last week, reports emerged that the Oilers were looking at Babcock as their next head coach. This came after the Canadian side fired Kris Knoblauch following their first-round exit against the Anaheim Ducks in the playoffs this year.

On Thursday, a former Maple Leafs star, Daniel Winnik, appeared on TSN 1050’s First Up. During this, he was asked what we would say to the Oilers if they want to hire Babcock.

The ex-NHLer did not mince his words and blasted him. He called out Babcock over his attitude and expressed that he was the only one who made him hate hockey.

No, do not do it. He’s the only guy that ever made me hate hockey.

Daniel Winnik said regarding Mike Babcock

When asked why he made him hate hockey, Winnik added that he hated coming to the rink and called Babcock a “bully.” He then explained how the former Detroit Red Wings head coach treated him after coming back from an injury.

I just hated coming to the rink. He’s a bully. … He was on me all the time. I just think how he treats people is not great, and that’s been well documented at this point.

Daniel Winnik added

This is not the first time a player has said something against Babcock. Former Red Wings star Johan Franzen claimed that he had been verbally assaulted by the 63-year-old. In an interview, he expressed that the Canadian international was the worst he had ever met.

In 2019, Chris Chelios also spoke out against Babcock. In an interview with Spittin’ Chichlets, he recalled the beef between Babock and Franzen. He even claimed that what Babcock did with Mike Modano was disrespectful.

What he did to [Mike] Modano was incredibly disrespectful.

Chris Chelios said regarding Mike Babcock in 2019

Babcock would healthy scratch Modano many times from the lineup. The NHL Hall of Famer finished with 1,499 appearances, 1 short of the 1,500 mark.

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Mike Babcock receives clearance to coach any team from the NHL

After the Edmonton Oilers checked in with the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) over the potential hiring of Mike Babcock, the union urged an investigation by the NHL. On Thursday, the league gave him clearance to coach any team.

Mike Babcock
Mike Babcock (Image via Imago)

In the statement, the league claimed that it had completed its review of the situation regarding Babcock and the Blue Jackets and found no current basis to restrict his employment in the league.

The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith. Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the League.

The NHL said in their statement regarding Mike Babcock

With this clearance from the NHL, Babcock can be formally hired by the Oilers. As per Elliotte Friedman, the formal process of his hiring will begin early next week.

The last time Babcock formally coached a league game was in 2019 with the Maple Leafs. After joining the team in 2015, he led them to three playoff berths. Following a 9-10-4 start to the 2018-19 season, he was fired from his position in November.

As for his coaching career, Babcock has a winning pedigree. The Red Wings made the playoffs in all of their 10 seasons and reached the Stanley Cup Final twice, winning once in 2008 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Before that, he led the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to the final in 2003. That was his first season in the NHL. Apart from this, he has guided Hockey Canada to the World Cup, World Championship, World Junior Championship, and Olympic glory.

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