Shocking Revelations from Nazem Kadri's New Book on Mike Babcock's Coaching Tactics with the Maple Leafs

In an eye-opening account, former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri's memoir, "Dreamer: My Life On The Edge," which is set to be released on October 15, sheds light on controversial coaching practices employed by Mike Babcock during his tenure with the team. Kadri, who played for the Maple Leafs for a decade, pulls no punches as he describes a peculiar incident involving teammate Mitch Marner that left a lasting impression on the team dynamics.

During Marner's rookie season in 2016-17, Babcock instructed him to create a list ranking his teammates' work ethic from best to worst. This unusual directive caused significant unrest and tension within the locker room. Marner later confirmed the incident in 2019, shortly after Babcock's firing, which suggests that the ramifications of Babcock's methods lingered long after he left the organization.

In his memoir, Kadri recounts how he and fellow teammate Tyler Bozak confronted Babcock about the situation, expressing their disbelief and disappointment. "He tried to defend what he’d done, attempting to explain the so-called thought process behind the exercise," Kadri recalled. "But in the end, it became clear he made a mistake. He had to apologize to Mitch; we practically forced him to."

Kadri highlighted the inherent dangers in such coaching tactics, especially towards a rookie, stating, "You just don’t do that to a rookie." He acknowledged that while he maintained a relatively good relationship with Babcock, recognizing that the coach contributed to his development as a player, he disagreed with certain approaches that he deemed humiliating and counterproductive.

One particular point of contention emerged when Kadri mentioned that Babcock urged trainers to evaluate players' effort levels in the gym, further discussing these assessments aloud among the entire team. "The whole point was to embarrass guys," Kadri wrote. "Once you break that trust, it’s hard to come back."

Mike Babcock’s coaching career has faced scrutiny, especially given his history of leading Canada to Olympic gold and winning the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008. However, his stint with the Maple Leafs ended abruptly in early 2020, and he was later hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets. His tenure there also raised eyebrows, as he resigned just two months in after allegations surfaced that he requested players to share personal photos from their cellphones, claiming it was an effort to foster better connections.

As fans eagerly await Kadri's full account, one can only wonder: what other hidden truths will emerge from the pages of "Dreamer"? Will this book change the way we perceive coaching methods in the NHL? Don't miss out on these critical insights that could reshape the narrative around one of hockey's most controversial figures!