Details Emerge About Why The Washington Capitals Didn't Hire Mike Babcock

The Washington Capitals have named Peter Laviolette as the head coach of their franchise. There were many candidates considered for the position, Mike Babcock being one of them. Laviolette was reportedly the favourite from the start of the hiring process, but Babcock was not the successful candidate for many reasons.
General Manager Brian MacLellan only interviewed Laviolette and Babcock face-to-face. Gerard Gallant would have been considered, but quarantine restrictions prevented him from a face-to-face interview.

Why did the Capitals pass on Babcock? The "noise" surrounding his past behavior.

"Babcock's interview apparently came during some kind of socially distanced family dinner / cookout, and there was some buzz it went so well it tightened the race. Another coach told me that he believed Washington was a little concerned about the 'noise' around Babcock, especially since we don't know when the next year will begin. Without games, the focus is on the past, not the present or future. To be honest, I'm not sure Babcock would be crazy about that either." - Elliotte Friedman

Babcock reportedly drove former Detroit Red Wings Johan Franzen to a mental breakdown on the team bench. A number of former Red Wings have stated that he may have been a good coach, but he's an awful human being. There is also "the list" he forced Toronto Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner to make that ranked his teammates' work ethic. This list was then revealed to the team and traumatized the young forward.

These instances happened quite some time ago, but it appears that they're beginning to impair Babcock's career; at least temporarily. If John Tortorella can adapt and make a comeback, so can Babcock.

Photographer: Dan Hamilton/Icon Sportswire