New evidence emerges showing Mike Babcock's dislike of Mitch Marner
New reports have put a further spotlight on how former Leafs coach Mike Babcock viewed Mitch Marner while in Toronto.
Previous reporting had already revealed Babcock's occasional criticism of Marner's game. Babcock was reported to have been tough on a young Marner, causing stress emotionally to the young Leafs Forward.
Babcock was famously criticized after a report came out following his firing as Leafs coach that he made Marner, a then rookie, create a list of Leafs players in order of hardest-working, which was then shared to players. Marner later said when the news came out that no one on the team took his list personally.
Babcock later said that he apologized to Marner following the incident, admitting his decision to have Marner curate the list was inappropriate.
According to Sportsnet's Jeff Marek, Babcock had been against the drafting of Marner in 2015, opting instead for Defenseman Prospect Ivan Provorov, now playing for Babcock in Columbus, having been drafted 7th Overall by Columbus, after Toronto picked Marner at 4th.
Previous reports have also mentioned members of the Leafs looking at D Noah Hanifin, who went a spot later at 5th to Carolina, but it's not clear what Babcock's views were there.
Babcock, recently hired as Head Coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets following the firing of Brad Larsen, is known as a tough coach for NHL players, being a very demanding and expecting voice in locker rooms.
Former Player Disapproves of Babcock
Former Red Wing Johan Franzen, who played under Babcock, called Babcock "a terrible person" and "the worst person I have ever met" after his firing, accusing Babcock of verbal abuse of players. Other former Babcock players such as Chris Chelios and Mike Commodore backed up Franzen's claims.
Babcock now returns to the NHL with a team full of young talent in Cole Sillinger, Kent Johnson, and potentially David Jiricek, as well as stars Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine, the latter being a player who's laid back attitude is one that could catch the ire of a hardened coach like Babcock.
Where accusations that came out about his treatment of players, one can only hope with reflection, that the Mike Babcock known to NHL teams isn't the one that Columbus will be getting.
Read More at Daily Hockey Dose - Early Hint Shows Just how Much Mike Babcock was Not a Fan of Mitch Marner
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