The last time the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup, Mike Babcock was the head coach and Todd McLellan was one of his assistants. They’ve both taken divergent paths since then, one enduring a much bumpier and more controversial ride than the other.
While there’s been significant consternation about the Edmonton Oilers giving Babcock another NHL chance this season, McLellan isn’t among the naysayers.
“I’m really happy for him,” Red Wings coach McLellan told reporters when the Detroit faced the Oilers on Monday. “I think he’s back where he belongs.”
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Returning to an NHL bench for the first time since he was let go by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2019-20 season, no one can question that Babcock’s teams win. Even with Monday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Red Wings, Babcock has the Oilers atop the Pacific Division at 8-2-2.
In 16 seasons as an NHL coach, Babcock’s teams have made the playoffs 14 times. Along with his 2007-08 Stanley Cup win with Detroit, he’s led two other clubs to the Stanley Cup Final.
“He’s an outstanding coach,’ McLellan said. “He really is.”
Red WIngs Players Had Issues With Babcock
That being said, there’s also no questions that some of Babcock’s methods have crossed the line. He’s been accused of bullying players.
Several Red Wings players, including Johan Franzen, Aaron Ward, Chris Chelios, Jimmy Howard, and Jakub Kindl have spoken out about how poorly Babcock treated them and other players.
He was hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 and fired before coaching a game. An NHLPA investigation found that Babcock was going through the cellphones of some of his players.
That was considered an invasion of their privacy.
McLellan got a break from the grind of NHL coaching between being dismissed by the Los Angeles Kings and hired by the Red Wings after Christmas in 2024. He thinks the time away may help give Babcock a better focus on the way the game works today.
Perhaps that will help him in terms of the relationship between a coach and his players.
“Obviously the rest and the ability to look at the game and dive deep into it, I’ve had that luxury once before,” McLellan said. “I came back to Detroit where the league starts again and you can take your time.
“You’re not tired, you’re not under pressure to win or lose. And you can really study the game and learn a lot about it.
Maybe more than you can when you’re in it.”
By Bob Duff
Bob Duff has worked in the sports media industry since 1984 and covered the Red Wings since 1988. As.
