Mike Babcock set to join NHL team, waiting on Maple Leafs contract to expire.

It would appear as though Mike Babcock will in fact get the last laugh.

In spite of the fact that there were some quiet rumblings that Babcock might not return to the National Hockey League after he left the league in disgrace following accusations of player mistreatment focused around his time as a head coach with both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings, it now appears as though Babcock was simply living a comfortable life while he cashed in on his contract with the aforementioned Maple Leafs.

There are now reports that Babcock is set to join the Columbus Blue Jackets as the next head coach of their organization, an announcement that has been delayed, according to NHL insider Darren Dreger, only due to his contract with the Leafs not being quite finished just yet.

From Dreger:

Speculation around the Memorial Cup is Mike Babcock will return to the NHL as the Columbus Blue Jackets' new coach and the delay in announcing coincides with his existing contract with the Maple Leafs expiring the end of this month.

Babcock was of course famously criticized for a now infamous incident with Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner on his way out of Toronto and even more serious accusations regarding his treatment of former Red Wings star Johan Franzen also hounded him during that unceremonious exit. It would seem as though the Blue Jackets are willing to look past those transgressions, but it remains to be seen how Babcock will be received by his players if he does indeed return to the NHL.