Have you seen the news about Mike Babcock? The veteran coach resigned Sunday after it was revealed he asked his Columbus Blue Jackets players to show him their family photos on their cellphones. Babcock said in a statement that he wanted to avoid this episode becoming a distraction for the team. This is the official version.
My first reaction, like many other observers, was to question whether everything had been said on the matter.
If that’s the case, how can we explain that new National League Players’ Association executive director Marty Walsh and his right-hand man Ron Hainsey, that former defenseman working his way through the ranks, thought this was relevant? meet the Blue Jackets players?
Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau’s positive comments about Babcock clearly weren’t enough for them. They wanted to hear from other players.
Was Walsh looking to solidify his place on the hockey map by heading to Columbus?
Probably.
Opponent for Bettman
The gentleman has a great resume. He served as Mayor of Boston from 2014 to 2017 and as U.S. Secretary of Labor from 2021 to 2023.
There is reason to believe that he will be a tough negotiator for the players in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement renewal negotiations with Gary Bettman.
But back to Babcock.
Who would have thought he would end up resigning?
Or that he would be forced to?
When the story broke on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, hosted by former tough guy Paul Bissonnette, Babcock responded that the affair was exaggerated.
Marked at the beginning with a hot iron
However, he should have known before this new chapter in his career that he was branded.
His fame took a hit after he was released by the Toronto Maple Leafs. We recall the story of Mitch Marner, who was asked by Babcock to make a list of his teammates who, in his eyes, were not doing their jobs well.
Babcock then shoved the list in the faces of those whose names were on it.
Hello ?
Former defenseman Mike Commodore, who became known for his Afro haircut and played under Babcock in Detroit, tells anyone who will listen that he has no heart.
Not the same as at the beginning
I don’t claim to know Babcock personally.
But I saw a change in his personality, from the coach he was when he started in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks to the coach that Sportsnet and TSN reserved a terrific special for when he arrived in Toronto in 2015 .
The event at Wayne Gretzky’s restaurant was broadcast coast to coast.
Babcock was the coach of the moment.
In 2014, he led Team Canada to their second consecutive gold medal at the Olympics.
Convinced that he would lead the Leafs to the promised land, Leafs management awarded the most lucrative contract ever to an NHL coach.
50 million for eight years!
Without saying he was above the fray, he was no longer the person I had known on the Ducks. At that time he opened up to everyone. He was cheerful and loved to talk about his years playing with the McGill Redmen.
During the last NHL work stoppage in 2012, he was a cold, unfriendly man who I met at his alma mater for the book launch. He disappointed me that day.
But I also know that he is a family man who is devoted to his wife and three children.
Not finished
Regardless of the event, this story continues to generate conversation. Further developments are expected in the coming days. But this is a warning to coaches who like to control their players.
The days when coaches let their players dance with their fingertips are long gone.
We are somewhere else.
While Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau Babcock happily showed off their family photos, the exercise was probably less obvious to others.
The chance Pascal Vincent has been waiting for
Pascal Vincent Photo Martin Chevalier
A coach doesn’t decide when or how he will lead an NHL team. When the train passes, he has to get on.
Pascal Vincent finally gets the chance he has been waiting for for a long time. The Columbus Blue Jackets selected him to replace Mike Babcock.
The Lavaler native completed his studies. He coached in the Quebec Major Junior League for 11 years, with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles for eight years and with the Montreal Juniors for three years.
The French-Ontarian Claude Noël, who did not know him from Eve or Adam, opened the doors to the NHL for him by giving him a place on his assistant staff with the Winnipeg Jets in 2011.
After more than a season and a half under Noël’s orders, Vincent worked for Paul Maurice for three years.
When Vincent saw that the latter was well in the saddle in Winnipeg, he followed Maurice’s advice and took over the management of the Jets’ farm team in the American League.
After five years with the Manitoba Moose, he became one of Brad Larsen’s assistants with the Blue Jackets last year.
Will his players accept that?
Babcock retained him, and at age 51, Vincent got his first chance to manage a National League team.
Let’s hope he can establish himself and the Blue Jackets players accept him well in his new role. It’s not easy to go from nanny to boss on the same team.
Speak to Dominique Ducharme, who had the experience with the Canadian.
Vincent inherits a rebuilding team that has failed to make the playoffs in the last three seasons.
Adam Fantilli, the third pick in last June’s draft behind Connor Bedard and Leo Carlsson, has a good chance of starting the season in Columbus.
Good luck, Pascal!
