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NHL Power Rankings: Who is the best head coach in the league?

By Dave Stevenson

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

#4: Mike Babcock

The Toronto Maple Leafs got the crown jewel of free agent head coaches during the summer of 2015 when they hired Mike Babcock. Babcock had a ton of success with the Detroit Red Wings. He will be heavily compensated as he tries to change the Maple Leafs from being the joke of the NHL into a Stanley Cup contender. This season has proven just how tough a task that will be and just how good Babcock is.

Babcock has dealt with a lack of talent in Toronto. Despite that, they are playing the right way. Toronto has a respectable even strength Corsi For percentage this season after being an absolute mess over the past three seasons. Recently, the Leafs skilled players have started to come up and the results have been getting better.

As great of a coach as Babcock is, he can’t make his players be great. That’s the one struggle that he will face in Toronto. He could be the second coming of Scotty Bowman and it wouldn’t matter. Babcock can, however, place his players in positions to succeed. That is something that he has done remarkably well considering his team’s lack of talent.

If the ultra competitive Babcock doesn’t drive himself nuts in the process, the Leafs should reach the NHL promised land under Babcock at some point.

Next: #3: Bruce Boudreau

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