Oilers' Mike Babcock, who 'loved' coaching Leafs, prepares to face old team for first time

Mike Babcock isn't dwelling on his departure from Toronto as he prepares to face his former team for the first time Saturday.

Asked Friday about facing the visiting Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. ET, the Edmonton Oilers head coach made light of the years that have passed since his dismissal.

"You know, it's about a hundred years ago, right?" Babcock said after practice. "So, you know, even the Beatles broke up, so you get on with it kind of thing."

Babcock, in his first season with Edmonton, coached the Maple Leafs from 2015 until he was firedin November 2019 following a six-game losing streak.

Toronto reached the playoffs three times during his tenure but failed to advance beyond the first round, losing to Washington in 2017 and Boston in 2018 and 2019.

Babcock acknowledged those shortcomings but said he remains proud of his years in Toronto, particularly his role in developing young stars Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly.

"We weren't a veteran team, and in the end, we didn't get it done at playoff time, and so that's why I got a new address," he said.

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Babcock praised the progress of his former players, including Matthews.

"It's always great to see his progression in the league and how good a player he is," Babcock said. "He scored four goals, I think his first game in the league, but he's still come miles in that time."

He also spoke of Nylander, recalling how the forward would spend hours interacting with children at team events.

"I'm proud of my time there. I loved my time there," he said.

Matthews, meanwhile, credits Babcock with helping him understand the defensive side of the game early in his NHL career.

"I think there was a big