Mike Babcock Is Back On An NHL Bench, This Time Columbus

By Jordan Long

The Columbus Bluejackets finished the year with a record of 25-48-9 for a total of 59 points, worst in the Eastern Conference.  The Bluejackets dismissed Head Coach Brad Larsen after 2 years.   Columbus has his replacement, Mike Babcock.

            Larsen took the Columbus job on June 10th, 2021.  Columbus had just let go of John Tortorella after 6 years.  Tortorella went 227-166-54 in his time in Columbus.  The Bluejackets earned a playoff spot 4 times.  In the 2020-2021 season, Columbus finished with a record of 31-38-13.  Columbus fired Tortorella after failing to make the postseason for the 2^nd year in a row.

            Larsen was thought of as a great choice to take over the position. He had been an assistant with Columbus for 7 years.  It seemed like it was the right hire.  It simply didn’t work out.  In his two years, Larsen was 62-85-16 and didn’t even earn a playoff spot.  This season it was clear he was not the right man for the job since Columbus had 59 points and wasn’t competitive.  They had to let him go.

            Babcock is a great hire. He brings in 17 years of NHL head coaching experience.  His stops include Detroit, Toronto, and Anaheim.  His overall record as an NHL Head Coach stands at 700 wins, 418 losses, 19 ties, and 164 overtime losses.  Babcock’s teams earned a playoff spot 14 times.  Babcock advanced to the Stanley Cup Final 3 times, once with Anaheim in 2003 and twice with Detroit in 2008 and 2009.  Detroit won the Cup in 2008.

            Babcock hasn’t coached in the NHL since the 2019-2020 season.  He was fired 23 games into the year by Toronto when they stood at 9-10-4.

            This is a great hire by Columbus.  Babcock is one of the best coaches in the game.  He has proven he can turn franchises around.  Columbus knows they are rebuilding.  Babcock will have time to build a winning team.  It may take a few seasons.  Columbus must give Babcock time.  They can’t fire him after a few seasons because that is not enough time.  Hopefully, Babcock can turn Columbus into a winning organization and become a consistent playoff team. This hire will give them a chance to do something special. Of course, the goal is to win the Cup.