Rivalred 630 Report post Posted January 2, 2010 Rationale for starting this thread is the recent thread that was created here http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62388 With that being said, what is your own personal take on Babcock; is he one of the elite coaches in the NHL, will he be here for a long time, and does he have a great rapport with the players/media? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivalred 630 Report post Posted January 2, 2010 I will add a little bit on my own person feelings. 1. Babcock is on the better coaches in the NHL 2. He will be here for a very long time; maybe longer than Scotty Bowman if he wants to stay 3. Babcock has an excellent rapport with players and the medio; more sore than Dave Lewis Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shady Ultima 40 Report post Posted January 2, 2010 I think the thing about Babs is that he demands the players respect, and when a player respects their coach, they play by his rules. That's how Bowman was. Players hated him, but knew that he knew best, so followed his system. Lewis had the problem of being friends with the players. When he became head coach... they didn't have the same respect, and didn't play as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shady Ultima 40 Report post Posted January 2, 2010 (edited) Sucks that there is no way to delete duplicate posts... Edited January 2, 2010 by Shady Ultima Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted January 2, 2010 I think Babcock is the best coach for the Wings job no doubt. He's not perfect, but he's still fairly young. I think in time he needs to improve certain dynamics issues within the system and while it seems he's ironed out the defense, one could suggest that we've struggled at times defensively under his watch, particularly considering the strong group of guys we have, there's really no excuse for that more often than not. And as I've said quite often lately, I think the weakest area of his game has to do with goalie management. It's been my major complaint since day 1 that Babcock has a knack for making less than solid decisions regarding the goaltending. I mean, really, right off the bat when he named Legace the starter in October up to now with the lack of balance between Howard and Osgood, I think Babcock has yet to really iron out this area of his coaching methods. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rage 24 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 (edited) I think he's about as perfect as he can be. The only thing that he has ever done that made me mad was when Pitt had 6 men on the ice FOREVER last Playoffs. As a coach he should have noticed that right away. I only see him leaving on his own terms, like if he wanted to go coach a Canadian team or something. We are very lucky to have him. Who cares what the media thinks about him too! lol Edited January 3, 2010 by rage Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 I think he's about as perfect as he can be. The only thing that he has ever done that made me mad was when Pitt had 6 men on the ice FOREVER last Playoffs. As a coach he should have noticed that right away. I only see him leaving on his own terms, like if he wanted to go coach a Canadian team or something. We are very lucky to have him. Who cares what the media thinks about him too! lol It's going to take a lot longer than four years to make me forget how utterly furious he made me when he named Manny effing Legace the starter in October. That was just one of the stupidest moves I've ever seen a coach make and I was saying it all along. Everyone loved to love Legace (sans me) but the guy doesn't have what it takes to win when it counts. It's pathetic that he let OCTOBER of all months dictate his playoff starter with a career hack like Legace. Utterly mind-blowing... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russianswede919293 95 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 I think that Babcock is one of the Best coaches in Hockey. I think he will be a Hall of Fame coach. And I hope he stays for a long long time. He very well could be one of the longest tenured Wings coaches of all time when he leaves... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Outsider 42 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 It's going to take a lot longer than four years to make me forget how utterly furious he made me when he named Manny effing Legace the starter in October. That was just one of the stupidest moves I've ever seen a coach make and I was saying it all along. Everyone loved to love Legace (sans me) but the guy doesn't have what it takes to win when it counts. It's pathetic that he let OCTOBER of all months dictate his playoff starter with a career hack like Legace. Utterly mind-blowing... Well, well, well.... Someone else who "remembers" that period of time accurately. How refreshing. You weren't the only one saying it, my friend. Trust me. It's just that the hordes shouted everyone with that opinion down as "Osgood slappies". Babs is a good Coach. No doubt. Like gcom, I too believe his biggest weakness has been his goalie management. Most probably forget, (what a surprise....NOT), but when he first got here from Anaheim one of the first things he stated was that he didn't like to switch back and forth between goalies, that he liked to "ride" one goalie as the Starter all Season long, as he had Giguere in Anaheim. That's how he justified naming Legace the Starter. He was proven wrong. Dead wrong. He's done a complete 180° since that time, maybe as a result of being burned so badly by his choice to stick with Legace come Hell or high water. Regardless.....he's an excellent Coach. He knows how to motivate his Players, and which buttons to push in order to get the most out of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 Babs has the rare ability to be both scary and likeable. One of the very best coaches in the NHL today. Demands respect but does so without making the players his enemies. This season has been one of his toughest tests ever and so far I think he's doing a great job. If we manage to climb to a respectable spot in the western conference he should be one of the top candidates for the jack adams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWings Gone Wild 6 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 Gotta admit, when we first got Babcock I was worried that he was riding into town on the back of a lucky hot streak in the playoffs with Anaheim the year before, and that, much like Giguere, time would prove that he was not that stellar.... but, back to back finals appearances shut me up... for now (insert sadistic laugh here)! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stiffy 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 (edited) I'll give him high marks overall. To be a true elite coach over a long career I think he needs to show a little more adaptability in the playoffs. When things aren't working I think he hangs on to hoping things will work out vs the Bowman approach of mixing things up to get things clicking. I may just be a frustrated fan, but I prefer the latter and think it is much smarter and more effective. Edited January 3, 2010 by Stiffy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shady Ultima 40 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 When things aren't working I think he hangs on to hoping things will work out vs the Bowman approach of mixing things up to get things clicking. I may just be a frustrated fan, but I prefer the latter and think it is much smarter and more effective. I agree here, but take into account that Bowman had been coaching for 15+ years when he came to Detroit, and already had 4 (or 5?) Cups to his name. Where Babs came here in his 3rd, maybe 4th year of NHL coaching, and had brought a horrid Anaheim team to the Finals, only to miss the playoffs the next season. I believe in time, we'll see Babs become an even better coach, because he is still young. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hokike 1 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 (edited) When things aren't working I think he hangs on to hoping things will work out vs the Bowman approach of mixing things up to get things clicking. you're forgeting that Bowman had practically unlimited amount of players, 4th liners during his day are 1 or 2nd liners today.... Babs OTHOH has to work under limitations of salary cap. That's why we're seeing GR players in Red Wings in case of injuries. I can bet that Bowman did not have to spend a millisecond on thought "who from Grand Rapids?" We're talking of different eras and possibilities here. They are incomparable. Edited January 3, 2010 by hokike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stiffy 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 you're forgeting that Bowman had practically unlimited amount of players, 4th liners during his day are 1 or 2nd liners today.... Babs OTHOH has to work under limitations of salary cap. That's why we're seeing GR players in Red Wings in case of injuries. I can bet that Bowman did not have to spend a millisecond on thought "who from Grand Rapids?" We're talking of different eras and possibilities here. They are incomparable. Sorry, but I completely disagree. The ability as a coach to adapt and change strategy is not dependent on salary caps or anything else. By being the coach who makes changes first, you force the other team and coach to respond to you and as a result are more in control. Babcock does this to a degree, but, I think, could do it a little more in the post season. Bowman was a master in this. You could be a coach in the special Olympics and do this. Since you are stuck on the worn out "incomparable era" cliche, instead of comparing Bowman to Babcock, compare Lewis to Babcock or Lewis to Bowman. Lewis did NOTHING in terms of changing strategy (lines, combos...) when faced with miserable results in the post season. So, if you had a continuum of Wings coaches who adapt and change, Lewis would be at the bottom, Babcock at the 75% mark or so and Bowman at the top. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marty Barry 230 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 (edited) Sorry, but I completely disagree. The ability as a coach to adapt and change strategy is not dependent on salary caps or anything else. By being the coach who makes changes first, you force the other team and coach to respond to you and as a result are more in control. Babcock does this to a degree, but, I think, could do it a little more in the post season. Bowman was a master in this. You could be a coach in the special Olympics and do this. Since you are stuck on the worn out "incomparable era" cliche, instead of comparing Bowman to Babcock, compare Lewis to Babcock or Lewis to Bowman. Lewis did NOTHING in terms of changing strategy (lines, combos...) when faced with miserable results in the post season. So, if you had a continuum of Wings coaches who adapt and change, Lewis would be at the bottom, Babcock at the 75% mark or so and Bowman at the top. I'll stick with him. His 1 Cup and Conference Championship buys a little longevity with me. BTW, what are Barry Smith and Dave Lewis doing today? Just curious. Don't know why I hit reply on that last entry. I enjoyed reading it though. Edited January 3, 2010 by Marty Barry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rage 24 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 IT'S LAND OR DEATH!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marty Barry 230 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 (edited) IT'S LAND OR DEATH!!!! RAGE!!! War within a breath Edited January 3, 2010 by Marty Barry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rage 24 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 RAGE!!! War within a breath YOU KNOW IT!!!!!!! MY new FAvorite Poster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rage 24 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 THEY SAY, THEY SAY IT'S ALL ABOUT TO END........... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedArmy 4 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 taken teams to 3 cup finals... took 2 different teams to cup finals and won a stanley cup... that pretty much sums it up lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rage 24 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 Like I said, we are lucky to have him!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted January 3, 2010 I think he is probably the best coach in hockey right now. Things I love about him The Babcockian Death Stare That he used to play in Britain in the 80s for Whitley Bay (wish I could remember something - anything - about him) That he praises players in the media when they play well. Don't recall Bowman doing stuff like that. That when players aren't playing well, he will criticise them in the media. Its never personal or nasty, its straightforward and honest. That he transformed Datsyuk from an undersized euro with tricksy stickhandling to the best all-round player in the game. Things I don't like about him. That he never ever looks happy. OT goal or winning Stanley Cup it doesn't matter. Shake hands with assistants and stalk off with face of granite. Its OK Mike, you can smile! Things that worry me In all sports, with coaches who are so relentlessly demanding the players can start to turn off after a few years - especially if they've had a lot of sucess. I actually began to worry that that was effecting us last season, and the start of this. In a bizarre way, the injuries have helped in this regard as all the new players haven't been desensitised to his message. Thats my theory to the improvement in defense & PK anyway.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stiffy 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2010 taken teams to 3 cup finals... took 2 different teams to cup finals and won a stanley cup... that pretty much sums it up lol The idea that he has lost two SCF game 7's isn't of any bearing on his ultimate abilities? Sorry, but unlike many here, I will never forgive the team or coach for not winning it last year. We had two games to do it. Injuries...blah, blah, whine, whine. It was the frickin Stanley Cup. If he had won last year I'd be right there with you, but he has to do it again to be elite in my book. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted January 4, 2010 I think the players often get frustrated with Babcock, but that's what happens with all the best coaches. He'll be successful and with the team for a really long time. Right now he's putting up numbers among the best. Best coach in the league, best coach of the decade. He's got at least one more cup coming with the Wings, probably one or two after that. Whena ll is said and done, he'll be up there with Bowman as the big coaches in Red Wings history. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
