Former Red Wing Franzen Rips Former Coach Babcock

Former Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen (pictured above), in an interview with Swedish publication Expressen, says that former Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock (who was just recently fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs) was "the worst person I ever met."

Franzen, who hasn't played for the Red Wings since 2015 because of repeated concussion issues, also confirmed a story that former teammate Chris Chelios told about a Babcock tongue-lashing towards Franzen that caused him to have a nervous breakdown.

Franzen said of Babcock:

“From 2011 on, I was terrified of being at the rink, that’s when he got on me the first time. I just focused on getting out of bed every morning from that moment. Last year I could sleep naturally for the first time since then.  It was just his attacks, playing in my head. Each and every day.”

"The Mule" as he was called, is still getting paid by the Wings this season, the final year of his 11 year contract signed in 2009.  He'll make almost $4 million this season.