Leafs' Shanahan confirms Guy Boucher was serious contender for head coach position
James Guillory / Reuters
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a backup plan.
Team president Brendan Shanahan confirmed that the franchise was very interested in hiring former Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher for its head coach position before giving the job to Mike Babcock.
Shanahan confirmed TOR was in deep discussions with Guy Boucher.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 21, 2015
The Maple Leafs announced the hiring of Babcock - a one-time Stanley Cup winner - at a press conference on Thursday.
Boucher spent just over two seasons with the Lightning from 2010-13, guiding the squad to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.
He earned a record of 97-78-20 in 195 games with Tampa.