Photo credit: Cult MTL

St. Louis Points Out Mike Babcock's Major Flaw as a Coach

BY TJ TUCKER SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 (9:00 PM)

With Mike Babcock getting canned as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, it's a pretty safe bet his last chance in the NHL has passed him by. Now, one of his colleagues is pointing out what he feels in the major reason for Babcock's demise.

Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis has been credited by his players as someone who can make them better with constructive criticism and a more positive environment. St. Louis, who also played 1134 regular season games in the NHL before becoming a coach, says Babcock failed to adapt.

"You have to evolve as a coach. If you're going to the dentist, are you going to the dentist that's got the 30-year-old equipment, or are you going to the dentist...you know what I mean? You want to stay in the business, you have to evolve." Martin St. Louis

Babcock was to get his first shot behind the bench as an NHL coach since 2019, after he was fired in Toronto in what became a controversial and messy situation. Claiming he had changed, Babcock was accused of asking members of Columbus to show him their phones, at which point he proceeded to scroll through pictures. Whether a genuine attempt to get to know players or not, Babcock resigned before he was officially fired. The NHLPA called it unacceptable in a work environment.