Report: Babcock out in Toronto too?

No doubt that emotions are running high and feelings are a bit raw this morning for Toronto Maple Leafs fans following ANOTHER Game 7 defeat at the hands of the Boston Bruins. 

The Leafs, of course, were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs yesterday evening thanks to a 5-1 loss to the Bruins. It was another disappointing playoff exit for the Leafs and their fanbase, but this time something’s different. The Leafs’ 2017 series loss to the Washington Capitals was expected, the 2018 loss to the Bruins stung sure… but the Leafs were still underdogs in the series. This year though… this year the Leafs were expected to match the Bruins every step of the way. Sure, they made it to Game 7, but they also squandered an opportunity to close out the series on home ice in Game 6 and came out flat in the second half of Game 7. Now, many Leafs fans are laying the blame at the feet of head coach Mike Babcock.

Babcock has been criticized heavily in the hours since Game 7 concluded, both for pulling goaltender Frederik Andersen with over three minutes left in a two goal game and for failing to play top players like Auston Matthews adequate minutes.

Yikes… 

Safe to say that Babs isn’t exactly a popular guy in T.O. today. Now fans are asking the question, “should the Leafs fire Babcock?” Or… do they even have to? There had reportedly been rumors around the league that Babcock has an “out clause” in his contract that would enable him to leave the team on his own volition. Not true though says NHL insider Pierre LeBrun. 

Check it out:

Well… so much for that theory…

Regardless, Babcock is an excellent NHL coach but he was thoroughly outreached by Bruce Cassidy yet again. At what point does Leafs management take a look at their options behind the bench?