|
 Babcock, who received an eight-year contract reportedly worth a
record $50 million, was introduced Thursday as the Maple Leafs'
coach.
"They've made a long-term commitment to me," the 52-year-old said.
"In turn, I've made a long-term commitment to the Leafs, and our
plan is to grow the team."
Babcock spent 10 years as coach of the Detroit Red Wings, leading
them to the Stanley Cup in 2008. His record in Detroit was
458-223-105, and the Wings made the playoffs every year.
He said it was a "hard decision" to leave Detroit but he did "the
best thing for Mike Babcock and his family and for the next 10
years".
- - -
Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is recovering at a Toronto
hospital after a liver transplant earlier this week.
The surgery was made possible by an anonymous fan of the team, who
donated part of his or her liver.
Dr. Atul Humar said the 55-year-old Melnyk remains in intensive care
but is awake and talking.
Dr. David Grant, who led the transplant team, said the donor wanted
Melnyk to be able to enjoy family and friends and "most importantly
to bring the Stanley Cup home to the Ottawa Senators".
- - -
The Boston Bruins signed forward Joonas Kemppainen to a one-year,
two-way contract on Thursday.
The deal could be worth up to $700,000 at the NHL level.
In the Finnish Elite League during the 2014-15 season, Kemppainen
played 59 games and had 11 goals and 21 assists. In 19 playoff
games, he added 10 goals and 14 assists.
- - -
[to top of second column] |
The Detroit Red Wings have agreed to terms with center Dylan Larkin
on a three-year, entry-level contract, the team said Thursday.
The Red Wings drafted Larkin 15th overall in 2014. As a freshman at
Michigan last season, he tallied 47 points (32 assists) and ranked
11th in the nation in scoring while earning Big Ten Freshman of the
Year and all-conference honors.
Larkin, 18, scored five goals in five games for the United States at
the 2015 World Junior Championship in Toronto and Montreal, and he
helped the national team win the bronze medal at the 2015 World
Championship in Prague, Czech Republic.
- - - (Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
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