Babcock granted permission to talk to other teams

[xtrememachine1 795]

I can understand wanting a challenge, but Buffalo? I'm kind of surprised. I figured Babs wanted to win now, not start from the beginning. Not to mention, Detroit is in sort of a rebuild mode itself. He must feel like he needs a change in scenery or that his message is falling on deaf ears as this point.

[Richdg 267]

Buff is not a bad job or hockey town. Yes they have had issues that past couple of years. But over the long haul it is pretty good.

As for the deaf ears thought, yes it happens. But I do wonder what set of ears we should be talking about.... the players or the GM's. No they don't hate each other over it, but there are differences between the 2.

I still think he is gone and it really comes down to a new challenge. Nothing more.

[b.shanafan14 733]

With the latest offer appearing to be somewhere in the neighborhood $50M over 10 seasons (with one rumor putting the total offer at $60M after additional incentives), how could you blame anyone for leaving? I'm at peace with the result either way, but my guess would be Babcock to Buffalo. They made him an offer he can't refuse, and as much as I'd like to lament another top-end free agent going elsewhere because Holland didn't want to pay market prices, we really shouldn't expect them to match.

A $50M+ offer for a head coach is a desperate offer made by a desperate franchise, with no viable alternative in their system, willing to do anything to succeed and in sore need of a win. The Wings are not nearly in such a desperate position, and with many already believing the team could benefit from Blashill's fresh perspective, Babcock is commodity that the Wings feel no need to overpay for. Of course the Wings want him to stay, he is likely the best coach in the world, and in many ways if he does come back, I would expect him to do so with renewed conviction. If Babcock turns down obscene money to stay with the Wings, it would be a clear statement that the Wings aren't going anywhere, a massive morale and PR boost for the organization.

If he does leave, it appears clear that the money was too good to pass up. Clean break, no hard feelings. The Wings will be forced to turn a great page and move on to the Blashill era. And honestly, I think that is the best way for it to happen. Blashill leading the Wings in the NHL is still an unknown quantity, and the organization seems both nervous to move on (especially from a coach like Babcock) and hesitant to lose another great coach/personnel person they've trained to another franchise (McLellan, Maclean, Nill, Yzerman & half of his staff).

I'll likely be happy whatever the outcome because I know the Wings will have a great coach one way or another. But I will say this: Babcock @ $5M < Blashill < Babcock choosing Wings over Money.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I'm just hoping this is done with today. I want to see what happens moving forward.

[Firefighter4WingedWheel 12]

MB said he would know if the morning. Anybody know what time his morning starts? I'm getting antsy here.

I'm torn on this issue. Everything that I'm feeling has been said on this board ad nauseum so I won't re-hash, but I'm fine with whatever outcome. I just want it to happen so we can move forward.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Great post b.shanafan14. I feel exactly the same way.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

Buffalo offered Mike Babcock $30mil for 6 years.

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/767303

[gcom007 1,465]

Buffalo offered Mike Babcock $30mil for 6 years.

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/767303

That sounds a hell of a lot more likely than the $50-60 million dollar offers being suggested by some.

[LeftWinger 5,129]

The exciting thing about Babcock leaving would be the new coaching approach. Especially personel and line combos. Maybe this revitalizes Weiss's career? Does a 2nd line of Nyquist - Weiss - Zetterberg make for great combo? I know the overall sentiment is to trade Weiss, but that was under Babcock, and I think well all can agree, that Babcock did have the ego that made him utilize players the wrong ways sometimes.

This also changes the approach of what NEW players are drafted and pursued in July. Not that Holland doesn't ultimately control the situation, but I am 100% sure he considers his head coaches opinion very important as too what kind of team he wants on the ice. I can also see Blashill and Holland meeting with his captains and leaders and asking their opinions of what changes need to be made. Maybe Datsyuk has an idea of who could take this team to the next level.

We all know we need to upgrade our D, and if that's signing Green and Martin to replace Zidz and Smith (if traded) or whatever, but I think that just the new approach to coaching and the willingness to put players where they belong (Pulk on the top line, Jurco off the 4th) will dramatically change our offense. Like I said in other threads, it would be nice to get that #2 center from somewhere, but with a new coach and approach, is it worth seeing if Weiss can produce in between Z and Gus?

Also, the fact that Detroit (having allowed these teams to talk to Babs before his contract was over) is asking for three 3rd round draft picks in three years as compensation is also huge, especially this season with Buffalo having the 2nd pick in the 3rd round, that's pretty much TWO 2 round picks for Detroit, and even the following two years will be pretty high picks in the 3rd round as Buffalo will take a few years to get in the top 10 of the league, if they ever do. So that is great in itself!

So, for this off season, we possibly get a high 3rd round pick for Babs, trade Kindl, lose Cleary, Monster, Cole, Zidz, sign Green, promote Blashill, steal another 1st round at the draft and maybe even make a deal for another defenseman. I like(d) Babs, but time has come or change and I wish him luck in building a team and am SO excited to see if Blashill's success with our kids can continue in Detroit!

Tatar - Dats - Pulk

Nyquist - Weiss (if not traded) - Z

Jurco - Sheahan - Helm

Miller- Glendening - Abby

Ferraro(if not waived) (Andy if re-signed or Callahan if not waived)

Kronner - Green

Ericsson - Martin(or Smith if re-signed)

Dekeyser - KFQ

Jensen

Mrazek

Howard (if not traded)

I think 25 years in a row is a given, but maybe even more!

[HockeytownRules19 902]

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 2m2 minutes ago

Toronto and Buffalo in bidding war for Babcock. No decision yet. Hearing Red Wings final offer was 5 years at $4 million per.

Darren Dreger @DarrenDreger · 1m 1 minute ago

Of course, Babcock could embrace opportunity and take less to stay in Det.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Dreger reporting it's now a bidding war between Buffalo and Toronto for Babs. Wings final offer was 5/20. 4 mil a season. Dreger says Mike may take less and stay... we'll see.

[gcom007 1,465]

Edit: see above...

Edited May 20, 2015 by gcom007

[LeftWinger 5,129]

Still $5M a year, which Detroit can match, BUT for 6 years is the bad part. We's for sure lose Blash and then we'd be stuck with questionable line combos or another 6 years and never really see what Pulk and Jurco can do...let alone see Mantha, AA or Larkin on a top line. Heck, Weiss, Smith and Jurco would be all but gone with Babs here, and Howard would too come deadline day...I say let him go to Buffalo, let him try is hand at building a winner instead of inheriting one, plus he gets Jack Eichel, a franchise player. I am not mad if he goes, I would be mad though, if Blash leaves our organization, he knows the kids better than anyone....Nyquist, Tatar, Jurco, Sheahan, Mrazek, Pulkky, Ferraro, Callahan, Marchenko, Jensen, Ouellet, Sproul, AA...Who else would be better coaching those guys?

Maybe when the decision is made, Babs can call LeBron and get his help in making the announcement...

If Babs take Detroit offer, say goodbye to Blashill...say hello to Abby on the top line and Helm on the 2nd....again...

of course if Family wants to stay in Oakland County...then, he will take the lessor offer...

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

The biggest plus about Babs leaving is maybe finally Ericsson can GTFO the top pairing.

[gcom007 1,465]

I feel really bad for Blashill. If Babcock leaves, he's set up to fail at this point. The fan expectations for him are already too high. As said, it's like the backup goalie and backup quarterback thing. I'm not saying that to knock the guy at all, but he'd be coming in as a 1st year NHL head coach to a team that as of now still has a lot of problems. Unless Holland finally succeeds at making a marked improvement to the defense, this team will struggle down the stretch under any coach.

That said, Holland could go a long way towards setting Blashill up for success though by improving the D this summer.

I do think it's a bit funny that people think the lines will somehow magically be better with a new coach. Sure, there have been decisions that have been made that seem questionable, but end of the day, we have a lot of 4th line players. There's little you can really do with them when push comes to shove.

[toby91_ca 620]

Toronto really makes no sense to me....unless they are offering much more than Buffalo. I guess I'd take that back a bit....much rather live in Toronto than Buffalo, but in terms of the hockey team, Buffalo appears to have the brighter future (or at least the pieces....Toronto is more of an unknown).

[LeftWinger 5,129]

I agree gcom, but if Babs is here for 5 more years, will Blashill wait that long to inherit the throne?

That being said, if Babs can convince Holland to dump Smith and get Green and Martin (or still make the deal or Phanuef) I think more Stanley Cups are in our future, and whether its Babs or Blash, that is the bottom line. Which ever coach is here, it's on Holland to take the D and turn it into a Stanley Cup D...and even though we have great kids, promoting two of them to the NHL now, is the wrong thing to do.

[gcom007 1,465]

Toronto really makes no sense to me....unless they are offering much more than Buffalo. I guess I'd take that back a bit....much rather live in Toronto than Buffalo, but in terms of the hockey team, Buffalo appears to have the brighter future (or at least the pieces....Toronto is more of an unknown).

I will be shocked if he goes to Toronto. I highly doubt they're still in the picture so far as Babcock is concerned. He might be hearing them out to be respectful and open-minded, but I'd be shocked if he was seriously considering them. And of course the media is going to prop the idea up for as long as they can. They stir the pot; it doesn't mean there's anything really to it.

I agree gcom, but if Babs is here for 5 more years, will Blashill wait that long to inherit the throne?

That being said, if Babs can convince Holland to dump Smith and get Green and Martin (or still make the deal or Phanuef) I think more Stanley Cups are in our future, and whether its Babs or Blash, that is the bottom line. Which ever coach is here, it's on Holland to take the D and turn it into a Stanley Cup D...and even though we have great kids, promoting two of them to the NHL now, is the wrong thing to do.

If Babs is here 5 more years, does it matter? I think it'd be a good thing. Let Blashill cut his NHL head coaching teeth on another team and if he proves his worth, at some point he'll most certainly be considered for the job here when it becomes available. He's a MI guy through and through, and he'd no doubt welcome the opportunity to return. If Babcock signs long term, we can afford to lose Blashill. Hell, if we lose Babcock now, we can afford to lose Blashill. I don't care how good the guy is, he's not as good as some are making him out to be in their heads, at least not yet. The guy has never spent a day as a head coach in the NHL, and it's a different thing than coaching in the AHL. There's no doubt that he's a good coach, but people need to get a little more realistic about the situation.

[LeftWinger 5,129]

Wait, what? Toronto media stirring the pot? If Babcock choose any team outside of Toronto, I cannot wait to hear the BOOS from the "fans" in that city first time Babs is back in that building!

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

I will be shocked if he goes to Toronto. I highly doubt they're still in the picture so far as Babcock is concerned. He might be hearing them out to be respectful and open-minded, but I'd be shocked if he was seriously considering them. And of course the media is going to prop the idea up for as long as they can. They stir the pot; it doesn't mean there's anything really to it.

But the question that needs to be asked. Is Babs ego that big that he thinks that he could go into Toronto and make a real hockey team out of them? It has been said that Babs has a very big ego.

Edited May 20, 2015 by hillbillywingsfan

[Richdg 267]

The exciting thing about Babcock leaving would be the new coaching approach. Especially personel and line combos. Maybe this revitalizes Weiss's career? Does a 2nd line of Nyquist - Weiss - Zetterberg make for great combo? I know the overall sentiment is to trade Weiss, but that was under Babcock, and I think well all can agree, that Babcock did have the ego that made him utilize players the wrong ways sometimes.

This also changes the approach of what NEW players are drafted and pursued in July. Not that Holland doesn't ultimately control the situation, but I am 100% sure he considers his head coaches opinion very important as too what kind of team he wants on the ice. I can also see Blashill and Holland meeting with his captains and leaders and asking their opinions of what changes need to be made. Maybe Datsyuk has an idea of who could take this team to the next level.

We all know we need to upgrade our D, and if that's signing Green and Martin to replace Zidz and Smith (if traded) or whatever, but I think that just the new approach to coaching and the willingness to put players where they belong (Pulk on the top line, Jurco off the 4th) will dramatically change our offense. Like I said in other threads, it would be nice to get that #2 center from somewhere, but with a new coach and approach, is it worth seeing if Weiss can produce in between Z and Gus?

Also, the fact that Detroit (having allowed these teams to talk to Babs before his contract was over) is asking for three 3rd round draft picks in three years as compensation is also huge, especially this season with Buffalo having the 2nd pick in the 3rd round, that's pretty much TWO 2 round picks for Detroit, and even the following two years will be pretty high picks in the 3rd round as Buffalo will take a few years to get in the top 10 of the league, if they ever do. So that is great in itself!

So, for this off season, we possibly get a high 3rd round pick for Babs, trade Kindl, lose Cleary, Monster, Cole, Zidz, sign Green, promote Blashill, steal another 1st round at the draft and maybe even make a deal for another defenseman. I like(d) Babs, but time has come or change and I wish him luck in building a team and am SO excited to see if Blashill's success with our kids can continue in Detroit!

Tatar - Dats - Pulk

Nyquist - Weiss (if not traded) - Z

Jurco - Sheahan - Helm

Miller- Glendening - Abby

Ferraro(if not waived) (Andy if re-signed or Callahan if not waived)

Kronner - Green

Ericsson - Martin(or Smith if re-signed)

Dekeyser - KFQ

Jensen

Mrazek

Howard (if not traded)

I think 25 years in a row is a given, but maybe even more!

ummm not sure if that is correct. If I understand correctly, the team that signs him owes us 1 3rd round pick sometime over the next 3 drafts-their choice. Could be wrong on this. But I don't think anyone is giving us picks just to talk to him.

[b.shanafan14 733]

$4M for 5 seasons is absolutely reasonable. All offers above that are desperate/reckless, and I wouldn't consider the Wings either. This is going to drive the price of coaches up huge over the next several years. Hope we don't see owners locking out because they have to pay their coach and GM too much now

I will say this: it's a little silly to be worrying about the "best coach in the world" getting paid more than $4M per season when we have Weiss at $5M per season and throw Cleary a charity million, AND they count against the cap!

[amato 3,210]

Wait, what? Toronto media stirring the pot? If Babcock choose any team outside of Toronto, I cannot wait to hear the BOOS from the "fans" in that city first time Babs is back in that building!

I can see it now....

-babs goes to buffalo

-toronto fans try to claim they'll outbid detroit for blashill

-blashill signs in detroit

-toronto is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs

[Rivalred 630]

Bab Cock Block Gate 2015

[Jacksoni 418]

Don't know if this has been posted : Red Wings upped their ante to 5 years 20 million according to http://www.tsn.ca.