Former Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs bench boss Mike Babcock has a new gig as an analyst on NBC after 700 NHL coaching victories.
But if the initial views of his first appearance on the network are any indication, things may not go so well.
His debut came during this afternoon’s tilt between the Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, and it wasn’t long before perhaps his fiercest critic immediately panned the segment and further attacked him.
Former NHL defenseman Mike Commodore, a frequent harsh critic of Babcock’s, immediately took to social media to accuse the former coach of being two-faced:
Folks…do you remember when Babcock was a “Mental Health Advocate”? What a fraud. When the cameras are rolling he’s an advocate, when they aren’t he is a bully.
Mike Babcock is literally the definition of everything mental health advocates advocate against.
— Mike Commodore (@commie22) January 24, 2021
Commodore’s reference to mental health is a clear nod to former players of Babcock’s including Johan Franzen and Mitch Marner accusing the coach of mental abuse. Babcock spoke for the first time publically last week since his dismissal from Toronto, expressing regret for his past actions and labeling himself as an advocate for mental health.
But the criticisms didn’t stop with Commodore. A few notable pundits got in on the fun:
NBC just spent their first 5 minutes of NHL game coverage today having Mike Babcock explain his past actions as a coach. I don't understand what he's doing on TV. Even if he didn't have baggage, he doesn't have the personality for it.
— Ryan Johnston (@Johnston985) January 24, 2021
Mike Babcock on coaching,
just now on NBC: “You do everything you can to get the player to be the best they can possibly be.” pic.twitter.com/ojhxdMqKCm— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 24, 2021
mike babcock on the intermission report pic.twitter.com/1j6tITBz2m
— Prashanth Iyer (@iyer_prashanth) January 24, 2021
And others:
It's honestly jarring how accurate @wyshynski's impression of Mike Babcock is. It sounds so silly and cartoonish and then I hear Babcock and I remember "wait he *actually* sounds like that"
— John Fleming (@johnjf125) January 24, 2021
That man doesn't deserve to have an opinion on coaching. As a coach for 25+ years, he offends me.
— Kevin Bryant (@ArmadilloThumb) January 24, 2021
Funny how NBC asked Babcock specifically about Marner but didn't even say Franzen's name, instead saying "some players are publicly critical."
Babcock answered by saying "can't play everyone and can't please everyone" as if his transgression wasn't psycholohical abuse.
— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) January 24, 2021
Hey @NHLonNBCSports thanks for ruining the game today with Mike Babcock 🤢
— Kbeaves (@digitalrev88) January 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/Nate_Sears/status/1353430918283862017?s=20
Mike Babcock should never be around the NHL ever again and you suck for giving him this outlet. Lost a lot of respect for you on this one Pierre
— Cody Hicks (@CityHicks) January 24, 2021
Does anyone else want to throw up seeing Mike Babcock on this broadcast? #NBCSports
— Melissa McKian (@missymckian) January 24, 2021
