from Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star,

“He is difficult,” Zetterberg said of Babcock, this while speaking to Detroit sportswriter Gregg Krupa. “He found a way to push me into an ‘I’m going to show you’ kind of thing. Not everyone, I think, can handle it.”

The gist of that quotation was recited to Babcock after Friday’s Maple Leafs practice. He was asked why he chooses that particular method to motivate players.

“I don’t think I do, actually,” Babcock said.

Perhaps there’s a disconnect, then, between the perceptions of Babcock’s players and Babcock’s perception of his own ways. When Zetterberg’s quote was repeated to longtime Leafs centreman Nazem Kadri, he smiled and nodded in recognition.

“I can definitely relate to that, for sure,” Kadri said. “Me and Babs have a pretty good relationship in terms of how things go. He’s able to push those buttons and me kind of respond and want to throw it in his face a little bit.”

Ditto Morgan Rielly.

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