Seat getting warmer for Leafs’ Mike Babcock

​Will he be given an ultimatum?

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Published 4 years ago
Seat getting warmer for Leafs’ Mike Babcock
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are getting set to face the Boston Bruins tonight and fans have been expecting so much more from the Canadian team. 

Now, they are starting to point fingers and a lot of them are pointing at head coach Mike Babcock, who could be finding himself on the hot seat. 

In what a hot topic on Thursday as many NHL insiders discuss the possibility that Babcock could get the boot this season. 

Earlier on the air of TSN 1050, Darren Dreger was hesitant to say that Babcock was going to get fired. However, when it was reporter Chris Johnston’s turns to speak about the situation on Sportsnet 960, he revealed that the Leafs’ bench boss’ seat was indeed getting warmer. 

“I have to think (Babcock’s seat) is a little bit warm. I don’t certainly think anything is imminent (re: Babcock being fired). It’s not as if he’s coaching for his job tomorrow”


We will have to see how the Leafs do against their rivals tonight in Toronto. The Maple Leafs is currently in fourth place of the Atlantic division, four points behind the Bruins. 

“As far as I can ascertain, it’s not imminent, it’s not something where they need to get a win to save him. But certainly if they don’t reverse course, I think that conversation is going to pick up and it becomes a little bit more possible” added Johnston. 


It is not the first time this season there is chatter that Babcock’s job could be in jeopardy. 

This summer, the Leafs signed Sheldon Keefe to a two-year contract extension to remain the head coach of the AHL Toronto Marlies. Given his tenure within the Leafs organization and his close relationship with general manager Kyle Dubas, it is almost expected that Keefe will be the heir apparent to current Babcock.

Babcock’s eight-year, $50 million contract (at $6.25 million per year) doesn’t expire until the end of the 2022-23 season, but his seat might get too hot if the players don’t answer to him and he has lost the dressing room.

We will have to wait and see if Babcock becomes unemployed this season, but for now, there is a little warmth under his butt! 

Source: Sportsnet