Mike Babcock indicates his NHL coaching career is over

It appears 2019 will officially go down in the books as the last year of Mike Babcock's NHL coaching career. Babcock appeared on a radio station in Saskatoon Friday just a day after giving up his voluntary position as head coach of the University of Saskatchewan men's hockey team. Babcock said he won't be returning to the NHL.

"No, that's sure not the plan," he said on 650 CKOM. "My wife and I have discussed this a ton, obviously. ... We always said we were going to retire at 60, and I'm 59. Basically, that's what it is."

"If things change, I guess they change, but surely that's not our plan. Believe me, we've talked to lots of people about opportunities and enjoyed those conversations. In the end, we feel this is best for us and best for our family, so that's what we're doing."

Babcock coached the Anaheim Ducks, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Toronto Maple Leafs over the course of 17 seasons, winning a Stanley Cup with the Wings in 2008. In November of the 2019-20 season, he was fired from the Leafs after 23 games, with the team was on a six-game losing skid and a record of below .500. Following his release, several stories containing allegations against Babcock came to light that seemed to put a cloud over a possible return to the NHL. There was confirmation of a list that he had Mitch Marner write about his teammates, ranking them in order of work ethic. There were also comments from former members of the Detroit Red Wings that painted Babcock in a damning light, suggesting he was manipulative and nasty with his players. Even with that, Babcock said Friday that getting fired was a huge positive.

Since I got kicked off the treadmill in Toronto, (my wife and I) have really enjoyed life," he said. "It was a spectacular experience to come back to Saskatoon, obviously to be around my family. ... In saying that, for us, it's time to move on."

Babcock's record in the NHL regular season is 700 wins, 418 losses, 19 ties, and 164 overtime losses. He has another 90 wins in 164 playoff games.

Source: Source: CKOM

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