#BABWATCH2015
Well, with the rebuild on, things look gloomy for Babcock to want to come coach our lousy team. But I think the major influences for Babcock to come to Toronto are still there:
- Leafs President Brendan Shanahan, who played under Babcock in Detroit
- Deep Pockets via Rogers that will ensure that of all the offers Babcock gets in the summer, the Leafs will be the top of the pile. Could see them tabling $10M/5-years if that's what they needed to do.
- Raising the bar for coaches in the NHL. I think it's also quite probable that Babcock includes a clause in a contract that makes him "un-fireable". I don't know how if would be worded, possibly if he is fired they pay-out his full remaining contract immediately?
- Winning in Toronto: This certainly has some appeal. He's easily got a good 5-10 years of coaching left in him, and adding a Stanley Cup in Toronto to his resume would look absolutely golden. If he signs for $5M/yr for 4 years, and manages to win a Cup in Toronto in that span... what will his next deal be like?? It would be a license to print money. Not to mention the glory and recognition. He'd probably get the Order of Canada, FFS.
Of course, there are lots of factors going against us. A ****** team in the beginning stages of a tear-down/rebuild... not a great amount of prospects coming up that hold much promise. It's pretty reasonable to say that a 4-year contract wouldn't be enough time.
Maybe Babcock would say, "I'll take a 4-year deal in Detroit and we can see about Toronto in 2019-20."
Anyways, curious to see where everyone is at. I know the Gloom-o-meter is off the charts right now, so I don't think people hold much hope, but I for one remain convinced that Babcock is coming in 2015.
Have at 'er!