- Former NHLer Daniel Winnik calls Mike Babcock “a bully” and says he’s “the only guy that has ever made me hate hockey”
- Winnik played under Babcock during the 2015-16 season in Toronto and says the experience left him dreading the rink
- Read below for the full breakdown and video of Winnik’s comments
A former NHLer isn’t holding back on Edmonton’s plan to bring in Mike Babcock.
Daniel Winnik, who played under Babcock during the 2015-16 season in Toronto, appeared on TSN 1050’s First Up on Thursday and ripped into the former Leafs coach. Asked if Edmonton should pursue the hire, Winnik didn’t hedge.
“No, do not do it,” Winnik said. “He’s the only guy that ever made me hate hockey.”
Winnik explained that things started fine when he returned to Toronto coming off a career year. A high ankle sprain in Washington changed everything.
“I missed five games, that was it, with a high ankle sprain. Should’ve been out for eight weeks,” Winnik said.
“Came back, and I always thought skating was my strongest attribute, and I just couldn’t skate. I wasn’t the same player, and then it just cratered from there.”
Babcock rode him from there.
“He was on me all the time. I just think how he treats people is not great, and that’s been well documented at this point,” Winnik said.
“Sure, the top guys aren’t going to have a problem. He’s just going to let them play.”
The rest aren’t as lucky. Winnik said Babcock picks his targets and locks in on them. “He gets the guys he wants to be on.”
Winnik also questioned Babcock’s results on the ice.
“I just don’t think his style works anymore. If you look back, he hasn’t won a playoff series since 2012. Why is that your hire?”
The comments come after the NHL cleared Babcock to return to coaching following an investigation into his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Babcock resigned from Columbus in September 2023 before coaching a single preseason game after allegations of abuse surfaced.
The NHLPA acknowledged the allegations were “very concerning” but said the league found “no current basis on which to restrict his employment.”
Despite all of it, the Oilers are expected to hire Babcock as their next head coach as early as next week.
