"Really deserved what he got": Chris Chelios content with Mike Babcock's exit as Columbus Blue Jackets HC

Modified Sep 22, 2023 09:54 GMT

The departure of Mike Babcock from his role as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets did not come as a surprise to three-time Stanley Cup champion Chris Chelios.

A legendary figure in the hockey world, Chelios recently weighed in on the situation, saying Babcock's departure would make the Blue Jackets stronger as a team.

Babcock's tenure in Columbus was marked by controversy, with allegations that he had crossed professional boundaries by requesting players surrender their personal photos. Boone Jenner, the team's captain, and other players found themselves in a challenging position, caught between loyalty to their coach and concerns over their careers and privacy.

Babcock eventually resigned as coach after just two months on the job following an investigation by the NHLPA.

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Chelios, known for his candidness, provided insight into the dynamics at play in a recent episode of the Spittin' Chiclets podcast. He acknowledged that the reactions of players were influenced by fear and the desire to avoid upsetting management.

"I think the fact that he's gone now, it'll make them stronger. And everybody knows Boone (Jenner), he's just scared. He was afraid, right? And he didn't want to upset management. I get it. I've been there. But again, it's good that the players and I'm sure the veteran players, they had meetings amongst each other.

"I'm guessing. I think all those guys, it's going to be behind them in no time, and it'll make them stronger because they stuck together against a guy who really deserved what he got."

Paul Bissonnette, also known as "Biz Nasty," chimed in, highlighting the potential impact on players' careers and the power dynamics at play.

Chris Chelios on Mike Babcock's situation

Chelios emphasized that Babcock should not have put his players in such a divisive position.

"There's no reason at all that Babcock should have put these guys in this position. It's divisive, and that's what he did. So hockey players are hockey players, they're gonna support each other. And the good thing is it happened right before training camp. So that's good that I guess he was in Traverse City, and the next day he was gone. So the timing was perfect that this all came out."

Chris Chelios' remarks shed light on the complex dynamics within the Columbus Blue Jackets in the wake of Mike Babcock's exit.