The Daily: Babcock Back? Could Roy Return, Too?

The Columbus Blue Jackets are reportedly close to bringing Mike Babcock in as its next head coach. This of course, set off all sorts of reactions around the hockey landscape. Some positive, but many that are understandably negative:

#TSNHockey analyst @MartyBiron43 joins @JayOnrait to discuss speculation that Mike Babcock will return to the NHL with the Blue Jackets. pic.twitter.com/44H2B4XMC8

— JayOnSC (@JayOnSC) June 5, 2023

Babcock’s NHL career started with the (then named) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim where he took them to Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Final. In Detroit, he won the Stanley Cup in 2008, but missed in Game 7 of 2009. He became the highest paid coach in the league in Toronto in 2015, and then was let go in 2019 after the Mitch Marner and Johan Franzen reports came out about his treatment of players. He hasn’t coached since.

The move to Columbus would be a curious one, as his dealings with a young core is what ultimately did him in. Has he learned? Will the coach, who has a background in psychology, use his thinking in more positive, rather than combative, ways?

Might Roy Return to the NHL?

Fresh off of winning the Memorial Cup, Hall of Fame goalie and former Colorado Avalanche coach Patrick Roy finds his name swirling in rumors. Fresh off of a win with the Quebec Remparts in the Memorial Cup Final, Roy’s name has swirled in terms of potentially being back in the NHL as a coach.

He left with the Avalanche in 2016 while holding the role of head coach and vice president of hockey operations. He’d stayed out of the coaching limelight and chose to go back to Quebec to coach.

With a title under his belt, might his next move be back to the big leagues?

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• The Memorial Cup showcased the three Blackhawks prospects on another big stage following their World Juniors appearance in January
• In the weekly wrap, this week’s movie-hockey comparison involves the Toy Story series and how it parallels the Blackhawks rebuild journey
• Ethan Del Mastro might be the middle-round gem the Chicago Blackhawks were looking for
• What should the Blackhawks do with the 19th overall pick? Trade Up? Down? Deal it for an NHL ready player with club control? Or just make the pick?

Hockey Now Network

Buffalo: J-J Peterka could be a good player for the Buffalo Sabres after a very impressive Worlds performance

Colorado: In the Avalanche Film Room Series, can Nikolai Kovalenko’s terrific performance in the KHL transfer over to the NHL? Colorado Avalanche

Detroit: Elmer Soderblom’s the latest in the series of profling players and where they fit in with the Detroit Red Wings

Florida: Anthony Duclair bet on himself and now he’s in the Stanley Cup Final

Philadelphia: Peter Laviolette is in contention for the New York Rangers’ coaching job. Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh: Are the Pittsburgh Penguins still a big enough draw for other players to come to the Steel City?

Vegas: Mistakes of the past humble the Vegas Golden Knights who look to bounce back tonight in Game 2