Another Team in Pursuit of Babcock

Another team has joined in the pursuit of the hottest free agent coach: Mike Babcock.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to make major moves after a disappointing season for one of the league’s most historic franchises.

It appears that Babcock will meet with Maple Leafs brass this week.  That leadership team includes Brendan Shanahan, another former Red Wing.

The Star had this to say:

The exact time and date for the discussion is yet to be determined, but a source close to both told the Star the Leafs are very much a long shot in the Babcock sweepstakes and that the Wings coach is calling all the shots in terms of who he talks to and when.

Basically, if Babcock wants to talk to you, he’ll talk to you.

The word, however, is that Babcock is not impressed with the state of the Leafs organization because it faces a long rebuild, nor is he quite impressed with the Buffalo Sabres, another rebuilding team looking for a coach.

Babcock, who is the biggest name among pending free agents, received permission from the Wings to talk to whomever he chooses. The one caveat is that the team that signs him will have to surrender a third-round pick at some point over the next three seasons.

Shanahan and Babcock are both expected to be in Prague — the site of the world championship — by Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Tom Gromak.