Quick Shifts: Maple Leafs, Mike Babcock set to reunite as foes in Edmonton
The Toronto Maple Leafs are preparing to face their former coach, Mike Babcock, who is now coaching the Edmonton Oilers. Players like Morgan Rielly and Auston Matthews reflect on Babcock's past influence on their development as the two teams prepare for a high-profile matchup.
Why it matters
This highlights the narrative-driven nature of professional sports, where coaching changes and player history create significant emotional and competitive stakes for fans and athletes.
A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious and less so, and rolling four lines deep. Composed by an unconscious brain.
1. Morgan Rielly , who played his best hockey under Mike Babcock, considers the question.
Is he surprised that he’ll be looking across at his former coach Saturday night in Edmonton?
“Was I surprised? I think I was a little bit surprised,” Rielly replies. “But, you know, I talked to a couple of those guys that I know over there, and they wanted to bring him in. And so, that's what they did.”
To the tune of a sparkling 8-1-1 start and Connor McDavid ’s most spectacular and busiest (average time on ice: 23:46!) October yet.
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