NEW YORK — The free agency period is still more than a month away. But on Wednesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs managed to land the biggest name available this summer.
In Toronto, which is still without a general manager, Babcock is believed to be part of an inexperienced management team including president Brendan Shanahan, whom Babcock coached in Detroit, as well as interim general managers Kyle Dubas and Mark Hunter.
As such, Babcock could have a greater input on a roster that is currently undergoing a massive overhaul. He will help decide whether the Leafs should trade Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel and what the team values in acquiring players through free agency or the draft.