Mike Babcock, the Maple Leafs and a matchup 11 years in the making

Mike Babcock is set to coach against the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time since his 2019 dismissal, leading the Edmonton Oilers against his former team on Saturday. The matchup comes nearly seven years after Toronto fired him 23 games into his fifth season, and more than 11 years after he was originally hired on a record eight-year contract.

Only four players remain from Babcock's Toronto tenure: Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Morgan Rielly. The article reflects on Babcock's turbulent Maple Leafs stint, noting that despite consecutive 100-point regular seasons, controversial behind-the-scenes conduct, playoff shortcomings, and clashes with management ultimately derailed his tenure.