The Toronto Maple Leafs held their media day on Thursday and head coach Mike Babcock took to the podium to take questions ahead of training camp.
The former Detroit Red Wings coach reiterated his support for Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf, assuring assembled parties that the 30-year-old remains the right man for the job and that the club has a plan to help ease some of the pressure on his wide shoulders.
“I think he’s got great intentions,” Babcock said of Phaneuf. “I think it’s an easy target when you’re the captain. We’ll give him a day off from you guys [media] a week, for sure. We’re going to look after him with structure and talking to him.
“I think he’s going to have a real good year. When our D understand how supportive our forwards are going to be I think it’s going to make them happy. I like Dion, he’s the captain of the Leafs. He’s our leader right now and we can really help him with his leadership side of things.”
Phaneuf tallied three goals and 29 points in 70 games in 2014-15. The veteran defenceman was often a target of criticism, which is something Babcock and general manager Lou Lamoriello are ready to help him more effectively handle for 2015-16.
While Jonathan Bernier will enter training camp with a new $8.3-million contract, it’s not a given that he’ll be handed No. 1 goaltending duties out of the gate. Babcock ostensibly issued a challenge for one of Bernier and James Reimer to show him who will be his best option.
“I like one guy to know he’s the guy,” said Babcock. “Someone’s gotta grab it. I’m going to camp… the veteran guys are probably playing four games. Let’s decide who wants to play. They’ve put in their work, I know that. They both want to be number one.”
Expectations are high as the Babcock era is set to begin. The coach made it clear that he’s not interested in talking about the club’s past performance. It’s about restoring some glory to the franchise, and it’s going to require a lot of patience.
The Maple Leafs will head to Bedford, Nova Scotia for Friday morning as training camp is officially underway. They will take to the ice at the BMO Centre with a packed house expected.
