Mike Babcock returns to Joe Louis Arena on Friday as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs for a preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings, the team he coached the 10 previous seasons.
"I usually don't look at the coach who is behind the bench," Red Wings forward Johan Franzen told The Detroit News on Thursday. "I might yell something. … I don't think it will be weird. He'll probably say 'Hi,' and then you skate on and just do your thing."
Babcock left the Red Wings and was hired by the Maple Leafs on May 20. The teams play a regular-season game next Friday in Detroit.
"[Friday] is the first time Mike comes back, but I think following Friday will be bigger," Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg said.
Babcock's presence will add to an Atlantic Division rivalry created three seasons ago when the Red Wings moved to the Eastern Conference.
"It's exciting," Franzen said. "It's going to be maybe a little bit more noise for each game than usual. It's going to be fun to have that competition going."
Babcock on Thursday was told Detroit general manager Ken Holland was looking forward to competing with and defeating his friend.
"He might have the upper hand for a short period here, but we'll see over time though," Babcock told the Maple Leafs website.
Game time is 7:30 p.m. (TSN4, FS-D+).
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