Quotes from Babcock regarding the signing

[HockeytownRules19 902]

"It's fantastic," Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "He fits into our philosophy in that he wants to win. He’s a two-way player like Pav and Z, and what I mean by that is, he’s as good with the puck as without. To me, he’s one of the top 15 forwards in the game."

"After you win the Cup, it’s easy to be stale," Babcock said. "You have to change things up a bit, and that’s what we’ve been able to do. It’s that excitment that helps your team get started. We like the steps we've taken."

I am envious of Babs!

[BeeRYCE 2]

Holland gave Babcock a winning team on a silver platter. It better prevail!

[Guest Dump-N-Thump]

ill be envious of Bab's n Holland when they start bringing in some sandpaper.

[Guest mindfly]

Holland and babs, best in the nhl!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

How funny would it have been if the first thing Babs said was, "Kenny is Lazy and he Sucks!"

[detroitdan 0]

ill be envious of Bab's n Holland when they start bringing in some sandpaper.

so I guess they need to re-sign Downey ASAP since he played such a key role in the playoffs? these are not the same Wings that lost to Edmonton, Calgary, and Anaheim...they are tough and physical (Kronwall, Stuart, Lilja)...just because they don't average a fighting major every game doesn't mean they aren't tough...I can't believe we are still hearing garbage like this...they just won the freaking Stanley Cup!!!!!!!!!

Edited July 2, 2008 by detroitdan

[Yemack 1]

Bab must be in hospital because he can't stop gigling about next season.

[puckbags 863]

ill be envious of Bab's n Holland when they start bringing in some sandpaper.

It never ends around here...your philosphy is soooooo last season dude...we just won the Stanley Cup with a team that people said wasn't tough enough. Its called team toughness...guys sticking up for each other, guys being the 1st one's in the corner to get pucks. I dont know if you noticed in the playoffs but teams quit trying to goon us up because they knew that (a) we weren't going to retaliate and (b) if they did something stupid they would be sitting in the box and we would score on the PP. Lets do an inventory here buds

Holmstrom = fearless hard nosed player

Dats and Z = will go into the corners with anyone

Franzen = wont back down from anyone

Draper = takin care of business for 15 years and has the scars to prove it

Mac and Downey = 1 of these 2 will be with the big squad all season

Kronner = check the playoff highlights..he's not soft

Stuart = not afraid to mix it up

Lilja = like him or not he will stick up for his teammates

This team is all about guys sticking up for each other and trusting each other.....you can hope for your good squad but in all reality I think we more than showed in the playoffs that no one can push us around. WE HAVE THE STANLEY CUP TO PROVE IT !!

[gcom007 1,465]

Even if we lose Flip, this is going to be an outstanding team going into camp. The crazy thing is, I just expect guys like Hudler, Stuart, Franzen and even Dats and Z to be better after winning the Cup. Swagger. Boom. Now Hossa? Man...I just hope he loves it here so much that they can work out a way to keep him around.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

ill be envious of Bab's n Holland when they start bringing in some sandpaper.

Yeah cause signing someone like Darcy Tucker would be so much more exciting than Hossa.

We have plenty of grit as outlined above ^^^

Let teams like the Avs have all the Lappy's and Tuckers they want - they can't catch our guys, they cannot score - and they have no GT.

Wow Babcock must be just freaking out - Stu staying then this! Will be very interesting to see what he comes up with lines-wise.

[blikst 1]

"It's fantastic," Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "He fits into our philosophy in that he wants to win. He’s a two-way player like Pav and Z, and what I mean by that is, he’s as good with the puck as without. To me, he’s one of the top 15 forwards in the game."

"After you win the Cup, it’s easy to be stale," Babcock said. "You have to change things up a bit, and that’s what we’ve been able to do. It’s that excitment that helps your team get started. We like the steps we've taken."

I am envious of Babs!

That's exactly what I thought when I saw the thread title.

[Donaldjr2448 43]

I must say that even though Downey had no playoff time, he did however play a huge roll in protection in the regular season for guys like Z, Dats and Flipper, Lids and so on. Sometimes I think that goes unnoticed!we need a Downey or Mac or even both to come back even more now this year just as a protection. If you all noticed with Downey out there it took pressure off from Dats and Z to play there game and not worry about cheap shots that they had taken in the past! We won't have to over pay for Mac or Downey either!!!!

[Probert 5 For Fighting 0]

Honestly, Babs could talk about his latest bowel movement and I'd still sport wood, probably. Cunning linguist, he is.

[octopusonice 0]

This has got to be as close to ideal for an NHL coach as you can get. Babs can't contain himself right now.