Ex-Red Wings coach Mike Babcock was emotional and fought back tears as he said goodbye Friday at a press conference at Joe Louis Arena.
He's headed off to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs for a lot of money. He signed an 8-year contract worth $50 million.
"My decision to leave is my decision. My wife wanted me to make that clear -- it's not on her," he said, according to WDIV. "My decision, totally, and it was about a new opportunity and a new challenge."
"I think change is an exciting thing. It's scary. It's really scary," he said.
"If I'm gonna leave I have to go to an Original Six franchise. I just have to," he said.