Babcock calls relationship with Dubas good after depth talk ... better in four years
They’re fine.
Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock says he and general manager Kyle Dubas are on the same page, regardless of recent reports that suggest their relationship is tense when it comes to player personnel.
The issue sprung up after a Babcock quote last week, where he suggested the Leafs don’t do as good a job as other teams at building player depth. They were in the midst of losing four of five games, a slide precipitated by their worst defensive performance of the season. At the same time, the Leafs were without two key defencemen, Jake Gardiner (back) and Travis Dermott (shoulder). Dermott practised with the team Friday, while Gardiner is also back on the ice, skating with skills coaches.
The reports ignited belief that the Leafs’ perceived lack of depth — especially with two key blue-liners injured — was the result of an inability, between Babcock and Dubas, to decide on how to build a roster.
On Friday, Babcock said he didn’t attend to offend anyone.
“You know, it’s interesting,” the coach said after Friday’s practice. “My first GM in the NHL was a gentleman by the name of Bryan Murray, and one of the first things he told me as a coach, and as a GM: Don’t let anyone get in between you, and if you do you’re in bigger trouble. So that relationship has always been important.
So whatever people speculate or think, I don’t believe it’s the case.
“Duby and I talk all the time. We’ve talked since this has happened and — how would I say it — if any of my comments in any way … hurt anybody — and we talked about this with players, and you — if anyone’s wife reads the comments the next day and they feel hurt, you (media) have done the wrong thing. That’s not my intent. “One of my comments was depth, depth in the organization. And again, we keep improving our depth. We all know it. Duby is trying to do it, (player evaluation director) Jim Paliafito, our scouts. We’re all trying to do it, to be like these teams. I mean, Tampa to me is just the model of what depth is. If there was any slap at anyone, it sure wasn’t intended.”
Babcock was buoyed Friday after Dermott, who has been sidelined almost a month with a shoulder injury, skated in his first full practice. Dermott wore a red jersey, signifying no contact. He’ll have to clear a fullcontact practice before he plays, but said that should mean he’ll miss only “a couple of more games.” Dermott also felt that Gardiner wasn’t far behind that timetable.
The return of two key defen- cemen would be an obvious boost for the team with eight games remaining before the playoffs. Babcock also had centre Frederik Gauthier (foot) practising Friday after missing the last two games. And forward Kasperi Kapanen, the team’s fastest skater, returned last week after a concussion, which means the roster is returning to full health.
It also deflects any concerns about roster depth.
“Obviously, it’s a huge deal for us,” Babcock said about the in- jured players returning.
“For a while there we didn’t have the four of them. That was different. It’s better now with just the two of them out (Dermott and Gardiner). But the back end, no question, both those guys are good puck movers and good players and we miss them. In the NHL, you can talk about all those positions all you want, but you need D.”
Babcock also said he expects William Nylander to be available for Saturday’s game against the New York Rangers, after missing Friday’s practice with the flu.
The coach seemed relieved to have an opportunity to clear the air about his depth comments. Leafs president Brendan Shanahan has said it’s healthy to have a difference of opinions at the management level, something Babcock concurred with.
“I think it’s important to have that. You have people thinking different ways, but I also think publicly that’s not the idea (discuss team details),” Babcock said.
“I go on media twice a day, sometimes three times a day … and you know what, there’s gonna be a s--tstorm — there just is. And you’d like to say everything perfect, but sometimes you don’t. But the intent … you know, Duby and my relationship isn’t as good now as it’s going to be four years from now. My relationship with (Murray) wasn’t as good the first year as it was in the third. My relationship with (Detroit GM) Ken Holland wasn’t as good as it was in my 12th year …
“It takes time to build your relationship, but this (opportunity to discuss the issue) will just make us better.”