The Columbus Blue Jackets appear to have found their next head coach.
The Blue Jackets are set to make Mike Babcock the franchise’s new coach when his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs officially expires later this month, according to a report from Sportnet.
Babcock won the 2008 Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings, but he hasn’t coached in the NHL since he was fired from the Maple Leafs in 2019.
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Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock returns to the locker room before playing the Los Angeles Kings at Scotiabank Arena on November 5, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
Babcock signed an eight-year contract with Toronto before his departure. In 2021, Babcock was named the head coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
After a season at the helm, he resigned and announced his intention to retire.
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Other NHL teams reportedly had interest in Babcock, including the New York Rangers.
Aside from the Maple Leafs and Red Wings, the veteran coach also had a stint with the Anaheim Ducks. He has 17 years of experience as a coach in the NHL.
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock watches the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Scotiabank Arena on October 7, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
Over the 17 years, Babcock has compiled a career record of 700-418-19-164. He also coached the Canadian men’s national ice hockey team to two Olympic gold medals.
However, Babcock wasn’t always found by everyone, including former Red Wings player Johan Franzen. He once said that his Babcock was «the worst person I ever met.»
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock speaks to the media after defeating the Boston Bruins in game three of the Eastern Conference first round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 15, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
Babcock also received criticism for telling two-time NHL All-Star Mitch Marner to rank his Leafs teams on their individual work efforts.
Marner was also instructed to reveal the list to the rest of the team.
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After a disappointing 2022-23 season, the Blue Jackets and coach Brad Larsen parted ways in April.
Columbus finished this season in last place in the Eastern Conference with 59 points. The club has the third overall pick in this year’s draft.