Pierre LeBrun

I mean, listen, next to Scotty Bowman, Mike Babcock's probably the best coach I've ever covered.

But, you know, obviously with that comes all the baggage we know about.

I mean, you know, a complete gong show there in Columbus before it even started.

But I will just say this.

I reached out to Mike Babcock today because I had heard similar things to you.

And Mike Babcock texted back to say, Pierre, I am retired.

And I believe he texted the exact same thing to my TSN insider colleague, Darren Dreger, today.

So right from the horse's mouth.

no question i mean there's a bunch of teams i could put in that boat but you know i i certainly i mean if you're going to ask me where i think 97 will ultimately lean i don't think he's you know gotten to the end of that rope and there's discussions with his agent but i i do think there's at least another year for mcdavid in your market i think that

Deep down, I think that this team has a chance to rebound if they can thread the needle this offseason.

This is still a team that can take a shot at it.

So that would be my prediction.

We'll see whether or not I'm right, but I don't think this is the offseason where he leaves.

By the way, he may never leave the Hall, as we know.

But that's fine.

But they need a strong offseason, right?

I mean, there's pressure...

on Stan Bowman and Jeff Jackson and management to go out and fix some of these issues.

And it's easier said than done.

But again, I could say that for, boy, what an offseason that awaits the Maple Leafs to draw on a new management.