Mike Babcock is expected to become the next head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, an NHL source confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.
TSN first reported the news. Babcock, 60, last coached the Toronto Maple Leafs for five seasons before he was fired in November 2019.
He had an eight-year contract with the Leafs that runs through June 30, after which he's expected to join Columbus. The Blue Jackets are still working on the details of their next coach's deal and wouldn't confirm that coach was Babcock.
Their previous coach, Brad Larsen, was fired in April after two seasons. Columbus missed the playoffs for the third straight season, finishing last in the Eastern Conference with a .360 points percentage — the second-worst finish in franchise history.