Babcock granted permission to talk to other teams

[kipwinger 8,521]

How is it obnoxious? He isn't the one who asked for this to be so public. He is the guy who came out and said he is moving the date up for his decision. Blame the media. Babs shouldn't have to rush to such a huge decision because a few people on the internet are sick of hearing about it.

Because he was forced to sit down with Dreger? Because he didn't know that dragging out the decision all year rather than signing an extension would add to the scrutiny? If you think his ego getting strokes isn't a big turn on for him you're nuts.

[marcaractac 3,962]

Because he was forced to sit down with Dreger? Because he didn't know that dragging out the decision all year rather than signing an extension would add to the scrutiny? If you think his ego getting strokes isn't a big turn on for him you're nuts.

He didn't drag out the decision all year. He said from camp he will discuss contracts when the season ended. Season is over, and he is taking care of everything sooner rather than later. Should he have made his decision day one just to please you?

If you were getting hampered by media day in and day out, wouldnt you give a short interview just to clear the air and get all info out there right from his own mouth? Makes sense to me.

Edited May 16, 2015 by marcaractac

[Guest Playmaker]

Isn't Babcock still employed? Haven't his teams underwhelmed since 2010? Did Bylsma get this much attention the day after he was fired? Nope.

The hype is getting absurd. One way or another he needs to make a decision. Obviously I don't want the guy back. I make no pretenses otherwise. But more than that I'd like for the process to come to an end. I don't give a s*** whether he's taking his talents to Buffalo or otherwise. This is obnoxious.

Babcock is on an expiring contract and was given specific permission by his employer to seek other offers. That's quite rare in the field of coaching. Bylsma was fired. Had he been a wanted commodity as Babcock is, he would have gotten this much attention. Clearly he is not. The biggest market in the NHL, Toronto, desperately wants him, hence the media attention in Canada. I really haven't noticed that much media attention. I guess I'm not looking for it. I also think that Babcock knows he's setting the bar not only for himself but for his coaching peers for now and in the future and it seems he takes that responsibility very seriously.

[Buppy 1,720]

Because he was forced to sit down with Dreger? Because he didn't know that dragging out the decision all year rather than signing an extension would add to the scrutiny? If you think his ego getting strokes isn't a big turn on for him you're nuts.

So Babcock is a primadonna because other people are more interested in him than other coaches, and even though you don't want him to come back, the amount of attention he gets annoys you so much you would rather he'd signed an extension than receive that attention? And that's why he should make an important decision on his future in less than a week.

If you're sick of the hype quit paying attention to it. You've commented more about Babcock than probably 90% of NHL fans, and likely a fair few reporters. You're part of the hype.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

So Babcock is a primadonna because other people are more interested in him than other coaches, and even though you don't want him to come back, the amount of attention he gets annoys you so much you would rather he'd signed an extension than receive that attention? And that's why he should make an important decision on his future in less than a week.

If you're sick of the hype quit paying attention to it. You've commented more about Babcock than probably 90% of NHL fans, and likely a fair few reporters. You're part of the hype.

He said his opinion, he didn't ask anyone to agree with him and everyone's berating him.

And saying if you don't like it don't pay attention to it is like saying if you don't like what someone says on here don't read it.

Its part of the team he loves, so why wouldn't he pay attention to it, like it or not.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I think all this hype around it is dumb, and I don't care if he stays or goes, but if I look for any news on the red wings, articles about his contract is the first thing that shows up, even if I search for something specific.

It is what it is.

[kipwinger 8,521]

Here's a couple of fun facts that nobody seems remotely interested in following and/or giving any special credence to...

There are four teams left in the playoffs (which are still going on):

If Anaheim wins, Bruce Boudreau has a better winning percentage AND as many Cups as Mike Babcock.

If Chicago wins Joel Quenneville has the second most all time wins AND three Cups

If New York wins Alain Vigneault has take two different teams to the Cup finals and won with one of them (just like Babs)

If Tampa wins Jon Cooper won a Cup in his second year full year as coach, after beating Babcock, the top team in the division, the top team in the league, and whichever team he beats in the West.

There are a TON of really good coaches out there. Some as good, or better, than Mike Babcock. However the story of the day, every day, revolves around a guy who hasn't made it out of the second round since 2009 and who's team isn't even playing anymore. And acknowledge it or not, he's had ALL SEASON to decide whether he wants to stay with Detroit. But of course he hasn't had all season to get flown around the world, and interviewed, and wined and dined, and written about extensively. And that obviously doesn't appeal to a guy who wants to be thought of as the best coach of his generation. Nope.

Oh by the way, if you wanted to be the best coach of your generation, why would you interview with Buffalo, and Toronto, and Philadelphia? Because those teams are all going places and we aren't? If all he cared about is winning (like he says) then he would have signed with Detroit already. There aren't any other positions available which have the track record, the future, the money, and the will to win. But he hasn't. Why? Definitely not because he's enjoying this. Not at all.

[kliq 3,755]

What if the point is that a rebuild is needed? Babs was spot on with his post series comments, Z and Pasha are on their last legs and it would be unfair to expect Larkin to fill that hole once they're leaving or only 3 liners.

Frank, what do you think is going on right now? We CURRENTLY in the middle of a rebuild.

Just look at our roster, I feel like I keep repeating myself. Nquist, Tatar, Jurco, Marchenko, Ouellet, Smith, DD, Sproul, Mantha, Larkin, Pulkkinen, Mrazek, Sheahan, etc.

If you dont like our young players, that's your opinion and you are entitled to it. But, I dont understand how you dont see it. Sure its not a complete re-build Ala Edmonton, but who the hell wants to do it that way. A smooth transition where your older vets show the kids the ropes, giving the kids playoff experience every year IMO is a pretty good method.

[Mckinley25 677]

Is it possible he didn't sign with Detroit because he doesn't really want to? There could be many reasons why, such as he is self aware of a coach's shelf life and realizes even if he's a good coach staying in Detroit won't amount to much. Those are things you won't tell the media.

Is it also possible that the reasons he might stay are family concerns? Which even if you're dream is to be Bowman v.2 your family takes precedence.

The media hype is ridiculous but that's the nature of media. More realistically Babcock is human and has a tough decision to make and is making the best of it, or even just trying to at least get as much $ out of the deal if he has to stay at job he no longer wants.

While this is all speculation you see how what we don't know vastly trumps what we do. I don't know much about him personally, maybe he's a giant, selfish dick. The media is just grabbing dollars, what Babcock is doing will be revealed when his future ex-wife writes her memoir.

[Mckinley25 677]

On a side note, I do think he's a great coach, but I would trade him for Quenville if that was an option. I'm hesitant to want him gone because I don't know what better options there are, which admittedly is influenced by ignorance, I'm not an authority on coach talent. But if coaches do have shelf lives, I don't think we're a new coach away from a Stanley cup, so if roster adjustments are made as well I wouldn't be too sad to try something new.

[Rhah 195]

Here's a couple of fun facts that nobody seems remotely interested in following and/or giving any special credence to...

There are four teams left in the playoffs (which are still going on):

If Anaheim wins, Bruce Boudreau has a better winning percentage AND as many Cups as Mike Babcock.

If Chicago wins Joel Quenneville has the second most all time wins AND three Cups

If New York wins Alain Vigneault has take two different teams to the Cup finals and won with one of them (just like Babs)

If Tampa wins Jon Cooper won a Cup in his second year full year as coach, after beating Babcock, the top team in the division, the top team in the league, and whichever team he beats in the West.

There are a TON of really good coaches out there. Some as good, or better, than Mike Babcock. However the story of the day, every day, revolves around a guy who hasn't made it out of the second round since 2009 and who's team isn't even playing anymore. And acknowledge it or not, he's had ALL SEASON to decide whether he wants to stay with Detroit. But of course he hasn't had all season to get flown around the world, and interviewed, and wined and dined, and written about extensively. And that obviously doesn't appeal to a guy who wants to be thought of as the best coach of his generation. Nope.

Oh by the way, if you wanted to be the best coach of your generation, why would you interview with Buffalo, and Toronto, and Philadelphia? Because those teams are all going places and we aren't? If all he cared about is winning (like he says) then he would have signed with Detroit already. There aren't any other positions available which have the track record, the future, the money, and the will to win. But he hasn't. Why? Definitely not because he's enjoying this. Not at all.

Interesting. I do think that Babcock gets quite a bit of credit from peers and analysts for what he does with the talent he has the last couple of years. I think people have expected the Wings to break their playoff streak each of the last 3 years maybe? So, despite Jack Adams voters not giving two s***s, the rest of the community is giving Babs a ton of credit.

Edited May 16, 2015 by Rhah

[Mckinley25 677]

He seems to get a lot of hype because of the Olympic victories, but am I wrong to think that he got the job initially because of recent success with Detroit and then the second stint because of the Gold the first time around? And it's not a stretch to think, Q or Cooper or Barry Melrose could've had as much success? Or is it because Canada failed previously to, Sweden?, and Babcock got the gold back from '02?

Also, Cooper is a great hockey name. I mean who didn't grow up head to toe in Cooper equipment?

[evilmrt 636]

One thing I noticed in thread. Now, I like Blashill and I hate to rag on the Calder cup, because that's all we have had to root for the last couple years. But, to even put the Calder cup in the same conversation as NHL championships, is a bit ridiculous to try and compare Blash to Babcocks resume.

And to say that Babcock had a stacked roster when he had success and in the same breath say that Blashill is competing every year in Calder cup and not comment how Grand Rapids is filled with overripe NHL prospects (that we regularly leave in the minors too long) and then a bunch of ringers (NHL level players) get sent back down after we are knocked out of playoffs, is a bit disingenuous.

Also, my last comment about if a replacement is needed. How often is the minor league affiliates head coach looked at before any bench or assistant coaches? (yes he was an asst one year... but not currently).

Yeah, I know one: Mike Babcock, who coached two years in the AHL with no Finals appearances.

[Guest Playmaker]

Here's a couple of fun facts that nobody seems remotely interested in following and/or giving any special credence to...

There are four teams left in the playoffs (which are still going on):

If Anaheim wins, Bruce Boudreau has a better winning percentage AND as many Cups as Mike Babcock.

If Chicago wins Joel Quenneville has the second most all time wins AND three Cups

If New York wins Alain Vigneault has take two different teams to the Cup finals and won with one of them (just like Babs)

If Tampa wins Jon Cooper won a Cup in his second year full year as coach, after beating Babcock, the top team in the division, the top team in the league, and whichever team he beats in the West.

There are a TON of really good coaches out there. Some as good, or better, than Mike Babcock. However the story of the day, every day, revolves around a guy who hasn't made it out of the second round since 2009 and who's team isn't even playing anymore. And acknowledge it or not, he's had ALL SEASON to decide whether he wants to stay with Detroit. But of course he hasn't had all season to get flown around the world, and interviewed, and wined and dined, and written about extensively. And that obviously doesn't appeal to a guy who wants to be thought of as the best coach of his generation. Nope.

Oh by the way, if you wanted to be the best coach of your generation, why would you interview with Buffalo, and Toronto, and Philadelphia? Because those teams are all going places and we aren't? If all he cared about is winning (like he says) then he would have signed with Detroit already. There aren't any other positions available which have the track record, the future, the money, and the will to win. But he hasn't. Why? Definitely not because he's enjoying this. Not at all.

If you don't like Babcock and don't want him back, I get that. But criticizing him for this is kind of off base. Had he signed a contract during the season, he would have been blamed for worrying about himself and not the team. It's extremely common for free agents to wait until the end of the season to negotiate. I don't see why anyone would dislike the fact that a coach hates to lose and wants to know that his employer is going to provide him with the staff he needs to be successful.

Danny Cleary has his name on the Stanley Cup and Ovechkin does not. So, I guess that means Cleary is better than Ovechkin?

If he was on Twitter or FB every day posting pics of his luxurious trips to Buffalo and Philly, that might be one thing, he's taking all of a few weeks to make a huge career and family decision. Oh, the humanity!

I don't get resenting the guy because he's a wanted commodity. Does he like the fact he has a myriad of opportunities and the chance to set an unprecedented bar for coaching salaries? Who wouldn't? Every guy you named would, I guarantee it.

While you might think he's a "failure", the actual hockey professionals don't seem to think so.

I think Don Cherry, you know, an actual former NHL coach, explained very well the appeal of going to an unsuccessful team and testing your abilities as a coach to turn things around. Couldn't even imagine the icon he would become if he turned around the Leafs.

No matter what else he does in his career, he's a hero in Canada for bringing back the gold and always will be. Not unlike Paul Henderson being a national hero for scoring one historic goal, despite not being a superstar in the NHL. It's how they roll.

[Wings3:16 318]

Just make your decision already, Lebron!

[rick zombo 3,739]

What could be potentially mind-blowing is the black hole that gets created when Babcock re-signs, leaving all of the Canadian media with no option other than to pull out and go back to ignoring the Red Wings.

We'll go from hearing about Babcock and Detroit five times a day on tsn to once every two weeks.

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

Sad that no matter what happens, we are going to lose a good coach in the system. If Babcock stays then Holland runs out of excuses to stop teams from talking to Blashill.

[Internet.Unknown 422]

I was just coming to post this. It's Lebron 2.0. What a primadonna. I'm soooooo tired of this crap. Just sign af****** contract or don't, like every other person (GM, coach, or player) does in the NHL.

Hyperbole much? The Decision was a 75 minute television special on ESPN starring a player who hadn't yet won anything in the league. C'mon. We all want the Babcock issue resolved, but it's nothing like circus surrounding and promoted by Lebron James in 2010.

[kliq 3,755]

Just watched the special, I dont think Babs comes off bad at all. The guy has done NOTHING wrong. If people are pissed about this, get mad at the media. I think he did the interview to hopefully get the media to leave him alone.

[FireCaptain 563]

How do you figure?

The guy's an asset under contract. All KH has to do is say, "No, we have future plans for Blashill, you may not speak to him."

If MB stays, has no one considered the possibility of him mentoring Blashill as an Assistant?

Sad that no matter what happens, we are going to lose a good coach in the system. If Babcock stays then Holland runs out of excuses to stop teams from talking to Blashill.

[Guest Playmaker]

Babcock did mentor Blashill as an assistant. Seems many here forget Blashill was an assistant coach with the Wings for a year in the 11-12 season and then was...sent down...promoted? to head coach of the Griffins.

[Mckinley25 677]

Babcock did mentor Blashill as an assistant. Seems many here forget Blashill was an assistant coach with the Wings for a year in the 11-12 season and then was...sent down...promoted? to head coach of the Griffins.

I dont think people forget that, it gets brought up all the time.

I'm certain Blashill is in the best spot to replace Babcock if he leaves, particularly if the Griffins do well, although that may not matter.

[Jacksoni 418]

He is either staying or going to San Jose. Willing to bet on it, any takers?

[T.Low 1,011]

I'm ready for Blashill.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

I didn't see Darren : having sit down interviews with Hitch, Bylsma, McClellan, and Carlyle to discuss their decision making process. There are also not up to the minute twitter posts and articles discussing the very latest developments regarding everybody else. If you think they're the same thing, you're obviously not looking too hard at all the hype Babcock is garnering.

Why don't they care about these other guys? McClellan has a higher winning percentage. Bylsma has a comparable winning percentage AND as many cups. Hitchcock has as many Cups and has 700 wins. But Mike is the story for some reason. Presumably because hype builds on itself.

I'll let Wikipedia's intro paragraphs show the "some reason": I just took title acheivements.

Babcock: "As of May 2015, he is the only coach to gain entry to the Triple Gold Club, guiding his Red Wings to the Stanley Cup in 2008, as well as leading Team Canada to gold at the IIHFIce Hockey World Championships in 2004, the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Babcock is the only coach to win five national or international titles, guiding Canada to gold at the IIHF World Junior Championships in 1997 and the University of Lethbridge to theCIS University Cup in 1994."

Bylmsa: "On June 12, 2009, four months after becoming head coach in Pittsburgh, Bylsma led the Penguins to their third Stanley Cup Championship winning in 7 games over the Detroit Red Wings."

Hitchcock: "He coached the Stars to a Stanley Cup victory in 1999. He also served as an assistant coach for the 2014 Canadian Olympic Hockey Team."

McClennan: "former head coach of the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League.^[1]"

Carlyle: He won the Stanley Cup in 2007 with his previous team, the Anaheim Ducks.^[3]

I think if you step back from your anti-Bab position you'd realize why he's being covered the way he is. He's kind of a star especially because the olympic wins brought him into the limelight. He's also in this rare situation where he's a coach who's looking for jobs without having been fired by a team (usually a non-playoff team). Babcock has done a lot for this team so he deserves the right to explore other jobs. This is the soonest time he could have talked to other teams and helped us out by not waiting to free agency. The media is obnoxious, though, but that's the nature of mass media.