Mike Babcock Monologue

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OK, it looked strange. Can everyone at least admit that? A familiar face in an unfamiliar place. It was weird seeing Mike Babcock behind the visitors' bench at Joe Louis Arena Friday night. "When you count the lockout, it's been close to 12 years since I last came here and walked into the visitors' room," Babcock said before the Detroit Red Wings' 4-2 exhibition victory over the Maple Leafs. "I haven't spent a whole lot of time thinking about this. I've got a lot of work to do in Toronto, as you probably know. I've been busy doing my job and focusing on that." It would've been understandable had Babcock mistakenly walked into the Wings' dressing room first, if only out of habit. "Anytime you spend 10 years," Babcock said, "anytime you've …show more content…

But, of course, it's the exhibition season. It might change some next Friday when Babcock returns with the Leafs for the Wings' home opener. The geniality was somewhat surprising, considering Detroit's notoriety for holding onto bitterness, exposing its parochial thin skin when it thinks its sports stars can't wait to leave town. Babcock signed an eight-year, $50-million contract with the Leafs. When he arrived in Toronto in July, there were billboards throughout the city welcoming him. His introductory press conference was one of the lead stories that evening on the CBC national newscast. As much as he enjoyed his time in Detroit, Babcock couldn't resist the opportunity of resuscitating Canada's most popular team — at least among English-speaking Canadians, anyway. Babcock congratulated the Toronto Blue Jays for making the baseball playoffs for the first time in 22 years Friday. He said that a long playoff run might take some of the public attention away from his massive rebuilding job with the Leafs. Presumably, tongue was firmly planted in cheek for that …show more content…

Not at that hefty price tag. Not with the lofty reputation Babcock brought with him. "We're going to fix it," he insisted. He'll do great in Toronto. And, quite frankly, it's great for the NHL. The intense badgering that eventually turned combative with the Wings will be welcomed and appreciated in Toronto. Though it was never openly discussed last summer, both parties now rather matter-of-factly state it was best for all that Babcock and the Wings moved in different directions. There are some things that Babcock misses. He said he misses his tailor, his barber and a neighborhood restaurant in Northville that made pretty good perch. Babcock added that he's not sure his wife has adapted to their new life-in-a-fishbowl in Toronto. "But I felt that my time had come to an end in Detroit and it was time for a new opportunity," he said. The Wings now say a "fresh voice" was needed. There's definitely a fresh

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