I agree that he'd be a great fit with the Leafs. Many wonder why he hasn't yet been signed to an extension. It wouldn't surprise me if Detroit doesn't have the money he wants & knows he could get elsewhere....like in Toronto. Since he's a McGill Redmen alumni, maybe he figured he could coach the habs if they faltered this season & Michel Therrien was canned. Ooops! Not possible, since Babcock doesn't speak french.
As the article stated, Babcock may also be looking at having more influence in player personnel decisions, which may not be possible in Detroit given the current hierarchy.
And finally, i still believe that Tim Leiweke had an ulterior motive when he decided to court Brendan Shanahan. Many with more experience could have been given the position, but he chose Shanahan, of all people. Shanahan has ties to both Detroit & Mike Babcock. Sure, he might have influence around the NHL. But something tells me that Leiweke had Babcock in mind when he hired Shanny.
Time will tell what happens in the long run, but Holland didn't exactly give Babcock a huge vote of confidence when he said recently that Babcock was just 'one of the best coaches in the NHL'. Many would be in agreement that he may simply be the best around.
