Maple Leafs & Red Wings Trade Once Nixed By Mike Babcock

Mike Babcock does things his way. The former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach was infamous for some strange behaviors while he was the bench boss including being quite vocal about potential trades and signings. Then we have the Mitch Marner incident, or the fact he sat Jason Spezza on opening night because he wasn't a fan. But this story might take the cake.

According to an ex-Toronto video coach, Jack Han, Babcock was asked his opinion on a potential deadline deal between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs and completely sabotaged the deal.

My third favorite Mike Babcock story:

At the 2019 trade deadline we were discussing bringing in RD Nick Jensen from DET to play on an active, puck-moving 3rd pair with Dermott.

MB essentially said fine, but if we get him then he'll put Jensen in and sit Dermott.

🤷🏻‍♂️
— Jack Han (@JhanHky) February 24, 2021

This is the same coach who made defenseman Justin Holl a healthy scratch 71 times. Ask any Leafs fan you know about how Holl's been playing since Babcock was fired. Then ask them the same question about Jason Spezza.

Babcock is as stubborn as they come with his lineup set up and he's not afraid to battle his general manager over personnel decisions.

Maybe that's why he's coaching University hockey for free.