TORONTO — Mike Babcock said restoring the Toronto Maple Leafs would be a ”massive, massive challenge.” But after being courted by several other teams, Toronto is the place he chose.
Babcock, the Detroit Red Wings’ coach for the past 10 years, arrives with great expectations and a reported $50 million, eight-year contract that makes him the N.H.L.’s highest-paid coach.
”They’ve made a long-term commitment to me,” Babcock said. “In turn, I’ve made a long-term commitment to the Leafs, and our plan is to grow the team.”
Babcock takes over a Maple Leafs team that finished 27th in the league this season, which cost Coach Randy Carlyle, the interim coach Peter Horachek and many other club officials their jobs.