Blue Jackets rumored to be making controversial HC hire

The Columbus Blue Jackets are reportedly set to make a brand new head teaching announcement within the close to future, and in the event that they comply with by means of it will be a really controversial rent.

In accordance with a number of studies on Saturday, together with TSN’s Darren Dreger and Sportsnet, the Blue Jackets have determined to rent former Detroit Purple Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock.

The reported maintain up is expounded to the Blue Jackets ready for his present contract with Toronto to run out on the finish of the month. 

Babcock has not coached within the NHL since early within the 2019-20 season when he was fired by the Maple Leafs in the midst of a six-game shedding streak, in addition to allegations that he had created a poisonous setting with the staff.

A number of former gamers have voiced considerations over Babcock’s teaching methods.

One of many elements that led to his firing in Toronto was the revelation that he had requested a rookie Mitch Marner to rank all of his teammate’s work ethics from greatest to worst, after which revealed Marner’s rating to the remainder of the staff.

When Babcock coached in Detroit he drew harsh criticism from veterans like Mike Commodore and Johan Franzen for his therapy of gamers. 

Corridor of Fame defenseman Chris Chelios detailed among the verbal abuse that Babcock directed at Franzen and stated it resulted in his teammate (Franzen) having a nervous breakdown on the bench and within the locker room. 

Babcock has additionally drawn criticism for scratching revered veterans forward of non-public milestones or in video games towards their former groups.

Other than being wildly unpopular along with his gamers, Babcock has additionally been quick on success lately. Whereas he has coached in three Stanley Cup Finals (one with Anaheim and two with Detroit) and received one among them, a Babcock-coached staff has not received a playoff collection because the 2012-13 season and has solely received one collection because the 2010 season. 

Given his questionable therapy of gamers and lack of related success in over a decade, it’s tough to see how that is all value it for Columbus. The Blue Jackets had one of many worst information within the NHL this previous season and are most likely years away from severe rivalry in a really tough Japanese Convention and Metropolitan Division.