{allcanada} Mike Babcock embraces challenge of building Maple Leafs 'the Toronto way'

 

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Mike Babcock says the only time he watches the Detroit Red Wings on television is when his assistant coaches make him do it.

"I can't watch them – it just hurts my heart," Babcock told USA TODAY Sports. "But saying all of that, the excitement of the new challenge in Toronto has been spectacular."

Babcock changed the NHL coaching salary structure in dramatic fashion last season when he left the Detroit Red Wings after 10 years to sign an eight-year, $50 million contract with the Maple Leafs franchise.  Babcock, a Canadian, left an organization that has made the NHL playoffs for 24 consecutive seasons to join an iconic franchise that has missed the playoffs nine out of 10 seasons.

The Leafs have the NHL's worst record, but it has been obvious that Babcock's presence has made a significant difference. The organization is purposely taking its lumps to give prospects time to mature in the American League, but it's a league-wide consensus that Babcock has given the Maple Leafs more bite, competitiveness and hope.

"He has his ways," said Toronto defenseman Morgan Reilly. "He's definitely a guy who holds players accountable. He's hard on them, but I don't think he goes over the top. He knows how to manage it."

With a Stanley Cup, two Olympic gold medals for Canada, plus a World Championship, Babcock is the NHL's version of Bill Belichick. He is demanding, and he finds ways to get his teams to perform at the highest level. The Maple Leafs may be in a rebuilding mode, but Babcock still demands consistency of effort.

"Little things that might go unnoticed by some coaches, (Babcock) always picks up whether they are on or off the ice," Reilly said. "If you are not doing something right, he will pull you aside and tell you about it one-on-one."

Toronto center Nazem Kadri said Babcock can be "very encouraging" at times. "But he can be brutally honest at times," Kadri said. "But when you are a player, you want honesty. You don't want them beating around the bush (if) they are telling you aren't playing good enough."

Kadri said he wouldn't call Babcock tough or unreasonable. "His expectations are high and his standards are high," Kadri said. "He wants to win more than anybody."

Lou Lamoriello was hired as Toronto's general manager after Babcock was hired. With three Stanley Cup championships earned as general manager of the New Jersey Devils, he owns a championship pedigree that measures up to Babcock.  The Maple Leafs also have rising management star Brendan Shanahan as the team's president.

The wonder coming into the season was whether this high-profile triumvirate would have trouble merging their ideas. These are all men who have had success doing things their own way.

"It's unique because we all have our own opinions," Lamoriello said. "But we all leave with one united front. We all say what we need to say. … It's been great."

Lamoriello knew of Babcock's reputation as a coach who prepares with overflowing commitment, but he said it has been more impressive to see him action.

"Probably what is most impressive is how he can recover from one day to the next, one minute to the next, when it comes to letting something go, without dismissing it," Lamoriello said. "He energizes everyone."

Babcock said he loves being around Lamoriello "because he has lots of ideas."

Everyone is in agreement that the team has to resist rushing younger players. "I love that Lou doesn't flinch," Babcock said. "He's just like (Detroit Red Wings') Ken Holland. Guys are going to stay down (in the minors)."

Babcock said the Maple Leafs have worked hard for him.  But he still hasn't determined what the Maple Leafs identity is going to be, mostly because no one can be sure when top young prospects, such as William Nylander and Mitch Marner, are going to be ready.

"Lou and I have agreed that it's not going to be the Jersey way. It's not going to be the Red Wings way," Babcock said. "It's going to be the Toronto way. But what is that? Let's figure that out. "

Consistency will be part of the team's identity. That's been at the heart of Babcock's success as a coach. Opponents have always known that a Babcock team comes fully prepared to compete.

Babcock is accepting of the rebuilding process. But don't confuse that acceptance as a sign of surrender. No one around the NHL believes it's going to take five years for the Maple Leafs to be a factor in the playoffs. Neither Lamoriello or Babcock would allow that.

"The plan is the plan," Babcock said. "But on game day, I expect to win."

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