McKenzie: Leafs, Flyers, Bruins, Ducks could make a run at Babcock

Bob McKenzie was on Toronto’s TSN 1050 on Wednesday afternoon.

Leading into this part of the discussion on Mike Babcock's future, McKenzie said: “My guess is he’s going to get somewhere between $3-3.5 million from the Red Wings, and he’s going to be offered $5 million a year by a whole bunch of teams in the National Hockey League that would love to get him out of there. But those teams come with – a team like Toronto would come with baggage that is the Toronto Maple Leafs.”

On if he thinks there would be more than one team that would be willing to pay the big bucks for Babcock:

“Yeah, I think so. I mean, listen – I think Craig Berube has done a tremendous job with the Philadelphia Flyers. The fact that they’ve been able to compete for a playoff spot with the defense they’ve had and the injuries they’ve had. I think he’s done a real good job. But I could see a guy like Ed Snider, or I could see the Toronto Maple Leafs. I could see the Boston Bruins if they decide to go in a different direction with a new general manager and a new head coach.

“I don’t think I’d say if San Jose makes a change that San Jose would spend that kind of money.

“I don’t know that Anaheim would normally spend that kind of money, but if they’re not successful in the playoffs and they decide to go in a different direction from Bruce Boudreau. He’s been there before and that’s a real good team – I just think definitely there’s more than one team – more than the Toronto Maple Leafs would get the chequebook out to get a guy like Mike Babcock.

“I think it’ll be very interesting, if he goes to free agency.”

Source: TSN 1050/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey

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