Mike Babcock on the decision on who to draft 1st overall:
"It's exciting for us. We've all spent a long time watching these players. [Maple Leafs director of player personnel Mark Hunter], in the end, that's why we pay him the big bucks, to make that decision. I'm sure we'll all have some input. But we're excited."
https://www.nhl.com/news/babcock-excited-about-matthews-laine/c-280703456
Maybe I'm just reading a little too much into this, but it sounds like he's saying Mark Hunter has final say on who to draft. Last year that seemed evident as this was a team without a GM, but for that to be still true with Lou on board would be a huge vote of confidence in Mark Hunter. And considering how highly everyone in the organization talks about him it wouldn't be all that surprising I guess.