Mike Babcock — who is a hard worker and passionate hockey person, not to mention a winner at every level — has been under fire for his coaching style since he was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs last month.
Some are wondering when we will hear from Babcock again. I doubt that would change the opinions of those who have interacted with him in the game of hockey. His supporters would continue to like him and his detractors would continue to hate him.
The challenge is that a hater with a cellphone and a Twitter account can do a lot of damage in 280 characters. Granting an interview with a media outlet isn’t likely to win over those who have issues with Babcock. Silence is likely the best strategy for the time being.
Some allegations against Babcock are serious. No one should feel as if they were abused. However, in any work setting, there is going to be chemistry with some co-workers and friction with others. It’s no different in the pressure-packed world of professional sports.