The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Mike Babcock as their new head coach.
The team announced Wednesday that Babcock will be introduced at a news conference on Thursday morning. Babcock spent the last 10 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2008.
According to TSN, Babcock has agreed to an eight-year, $50 million contract that would make him the highest-paid coach in the NHL.
His contract with Detroit expires at the end of June but the Red Wings had given him permission to negotiate with other teams. The Maple Leafs must send a third-round pick to Detroit as compensation.
Babcock had not ruled out staying in Detroit, and also interviewed with the Buffalo Sabres.
The 52-year-old also coached Canada to Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014.
The Maple Leafs, who finished 30-44-8, fired Randy Carlyle in January, and replaced him on an interim basis with assistant Peter Horachek.
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