Appointed on July 1, 2023, his departure was catalyzed by negative press, compounded by discontent within the team and external discussions, notably on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, sealing his fate in Columbus swiftly.

Babcock, no stranger to controversy, previously faced severe criticism for his handling of players. Notably, his treatment of Swedish forward Johan Franzen, who starkly labeled him

This was part of a pattern, including denying veteran Mike Modano his 1,500th NHL game and sidelining Jason Spezza during his anticipated debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs�much to the dismay of his family and friends in attendance.

Another poignant story comes from Frank Corrado, claimed off waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015. Corrado recounts his initial meeting with Babcock, where the coach dismissed him, saying,

setting a dismissive tone from the start. Despite showing up early as instructed, Corrado was kept waiting and never given a chance to speak. This neglect continued, culminating in severe anxiety and physical illness for Corrado, who stated, and accused Babcock of enjoying the psychological manipulation of his players.

This behavior wasn't isolated to his time in Toronto. During his earlier coaching days with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Babcock sidelined seasoned players like Jason York, German Titov, and Denny Lambert, disregarding their professional and personal dignity. Reflecting on the experience, York criticized Babcock's lack of empathy, emphasizing the broader implications of his career decisions on players' lives.

The pattern of behavior continued with Peter Holland, who after being demoted to the AHL under Babcock's directive in 2016-2017, shared a similar sentiment. Holland recalls Babcock's harsh words:

highlighting a stark disregard for respect and basic human decency.

Mike Babcock's coaching career remains overshadowed by these incidents, painting a picture of a man whose professional actions have often crossed into personal vendettas, leaving a trail of strained relationships and tarnished reputations.

For further reading on Mike Babcock's controversial methods and the personal accounts of affected players, check out Hockey Feed.

This restructured narrative offers a deeper insight into the complexities of Babcock's professional relationships and the profound impacts of his coaching style, providing a fresh perspective on a widely discussed topic in the world of professional hockey.