How Mike Babcock can join ex-Toronto coaches getting back at Leafs

1 hour ago 9

Team has cycled through 33 coaches in their history, firing a few along the way

Published Oct 24, 2026 • 1 minute read

Oilers head coach Mike Babcock is pictured during the first day of skating sessions for training camp at the Downtown Community Arena in Edmonton, Sept. 17, 2026.

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The meeting was a delayed three years, but Mike Babcock is getting his shot at the team that fired him.

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Saturday night in Edmonton was to be his first game against the Maple Leafs since November 2019, after his return to the NHL bench in 2023 with Columbus never made it past training camp. He resigned there after reports of invasive player privacy tactics, the kind of transgression that surfaced after the Leafs fired him halfway through his unproductive eight-year and record $50 million contract.

Babcock will be the 10th former Toronto coach to return to the NHL with another team, and with a record of 8-1-1, playing at home and with the Leafs defence wracked by injuries, you have to like his chances on Saturday, even if he made few friends in his Leaf tenure.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock on the ice during a practice in 2019.

Past Maple Leaf coaching returns

Here’s how ex-Leaf coaches have fared in their first return engagement with their new clubs:

Sheldon Keefe, New Jersey Devils: Oct. 10, 2024, 4-2 Leafs @ NJ

Paul Maurice, Carolina Hurricanes: Nov. 2 2008, 6-4 Hurricanes @ Carolina

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Pat Quinn, Edmonton Oilers: Dec. 30, 2009, 3-1 Oilers win @ Toronto

Pat Burns, Boston Bruins: Dec. 31 1997, 2-2 tie @ Toronto

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Dan Maloney, Winnipeg Jets: Dec. 31, 1986, 6-1 Leafs @ Toronto

Roger Neilson. Buffalo Sabres: Oct. 19, 1980, 4-2 Leafs @ Toronto

Punch Imlach, Buffalo Sabres: Nov. 18, 1970, 7-2 Sabres @ Toronto

Billy Reay, Chicago Blackhawks: Oct. 13, 1963, 4-2 Hawks @ Toronto

Dick Irvin Sr., Montreal Canadiens: Nov. 14, 1940, 6-2 Leafs @ Toronto

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