Babcock granted permission to talk to other teams

[HockeytownRules19 902]

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie · 8m 8 minutes ago

As an analyst, based on what we've seen/heard, the prevailing sentiment is Babcock will stay in DET. That appears to be conventional wisdom

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie · 5m 5 minutes ago

But I have to tell you, based strictly on not much more than instincts, I could see Babcock ending up in BUF. Like I said, just a hunch.

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie · 4m 4 minutes ago

If I had to bet big bucks of my own money, I'd probably wager DET. If I could lay down a loonie or twoonie with a big payoff, I'd pick BUF.

[wings87 1,290]

This is like an episode of The Bachelor". Everybody is waiting to see if Mike will give Ken Holland the rose.

Puke.

Yeah, except instead of a rose its a Maple Leaf.

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie · 8m 8 minutes ago

As an analyst, based on what we've seen/heard, the prevailing sentiment is Babcock will stay in DET. That appears to be conventional wisdom

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie · 5m 5 minutes ago

But I have to tell you, based strictly on not much more than instincts, I could see Babcock ending up in BUF. Like I said, just a hunch.

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie · 4m 4 minutes ago

If I had to bet big bucks of my own money, I'd probably wager DET. If I could lay down a loonie or twoonie with a big payoff, I'd pick BUF.

How many personalities does Bob have?

[kipwinger 8,524]

Yeah, except instead of a rose its a Maple Leaf.

How many personalities does Bob have?

Enough to make sure that he can strongly insinuate every possible outcome, and therefore not be wrong about anything ever?

[rick zombo 3,739]

Enough to make sure that he can strongly insinuate every possible outcome, and therefore not be wrong about anything ever?

MacKenzie's not really like that though. And nothing he said was wrong. He thinks Babcock's going to stay in Detroit but wouldn't be shocked if he went to Buffalo.

[kipwinger 8,524]

MacKenzie's not really like that though. And nothing he said was wrong. He thinks Babcock's going to stay in Detroit but wouldn't be shocked if he went to Buffalo.

But that's not really saying much at all is it? Which is the whole point. You can never be wrong when you say things like.

"Well the analyst in me says the conventional wisdom is that he'll stay"...

Because Bob McKenzie is in the business of analyzing conventional wisdom now?

"But I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up in Buffalo either"...

Neither would I. He interviewed there and they offered him the largest amount of money.

I like Bob Mckenzie. He's a good analyst and hockey reporter. But this isn't analysis or reporting, this is speculation. And I actually don't even blame him for that either. This Babcock thing has gotten so out of control that he's be a fool not to cover it. It's the top story of the Stanley Cup playoffs for some ******* reason.

[wings87 1,290]

MacKenzie's not really like that though. And nothing he said was wrong. He thinks Babcock's going to stay in Detroit but wouldn't be shocked if he went to Buffalo.

Correction. He really wanted to predict that Babcock will sign with Buffalo, but was afraid to be wrong. Those tweets are like a guy trying to talk himself into buying a Vespa even though he really wants a Harley.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I really don't want to lose Blashill for 4 years of Babcock. Will be interesting to see how this all pans out..,

That's what happened with Yzerman leaving and Holland staying. How is that working out for us?

Blash is ready now -- that's the problem. Guarantee he gets an NHL job somewhere else if Babs stays here.

He needs to overripe.

Edited May 19, 2015 by GMRwings1983

[miksteri 55]

didnt Babcock say that his wifes opinion is the decider? Sign Blashill then already...

[hillbillywingsfan 792]

didnt Babcock say that his wifes opinion is the decider? Sign Blashill then already...

Now we know why the line combos sucked so much...hahaha

Edited May 19, 2015 by hillbillywingsfan

[kipwinger 8,524]

It's interesting that all these guys who say it's not about the money end up going to the place that offers them the most money. Hmm...

[kickazz 5,459]

Man the Babcock frenzy is really getting to some people. Thank god the decision comes tomorrow before someone gets an aneurysm.

[kipwinger 8,524]

Man the Babcock frenzy is really getting to some people. Thank god the decision comes tomorrow before someone gets an aneurysm.

Unless he signs a one year deal. Then we get to do it again next year. Yippie.

[rick zombo 3,739]

I haven't been paying attention enough to notice, but has all the speculation cooled off a bit now that the Leafs are 100% out of the running?

[kipwinger 8,524]

I haven't been paying attention enough to notice, but has all the speculation cooled off a bit now that the Leafs are 100% out of the running?

Not at all. It's insane. There is literally up to the minute articles, tweets, interviews, etc. with every commentator under the sun, all speculating on where he'll end up. #Babswatch is trending on Twitter as we speak.

[e_prime 1,936]

Unless he signs a one year deal. Then we get to do it again next year. Yippie.

I think if he's only willing to sign a one year deal here, it says that he really doesn't think we can do any better than we have been doing unless there are some serious moves made by Holland... so if Holland is able to land the defenseman we covet and/or make a trade for a huge scoring presence, he'll be happy and stick around... if not he's probably on to whatever new opportunity is available next year... and if that's his mindset then the Wings need to move on.

Not to say that I don't think Holland needs to or shouldn't make some moves before we're able to gain any further traction in the playoffs either. No matter who the coach is.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-the-last-days-of-babwatch/

(Scroll down, it is THANKFULLY, not the lead)

Up to the minute #Babwatch from Friedman has us and Buffalo as the front runners, Toronto is "unlikely" because of the complete rebuild situation, San Jose is "unlikely" as well as Babcock initiated the conversation (SJ has interviewed Carlyle, DeBoer, Bylsma, and Lowry for the position) He also suggests two Wild-Cards: 1. He takes a year off (because he doesn't like ANY of his options AKA he wants to coach Pittsburgh 2. St. Louis.

Edited May 19, 2015 by e_prime

[kipwinger 8,524]

I think if he's only willing to sign a one year deal here, it says that he really doesn't think we can do any better than we have been doing unless there are some serious moves made by Holland... so if Holland is able to land the defenseman we covet and/or make a trade for a huge scoring presence, he'll be happy and stick around... if not he's probably on to whatever new opportunity is available next year... and if that's his mindset then the Wings need to move on.

Not to say that I don't think Holland needs to or shouldn't make some moves before we're able to gain any further traction in the playoffs either. No matter who the coach is.

I was mostly being a smartass. I don't think he, or the Wings, are interested in a 1 year deal.

I think he'll go where the money is. And if the money's close in all cases, he'll stay.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

Would be awesome if Babcock didn't sign a contract with anyone and retired instead.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Not at all. It's insane. There is literally up to the minute articles, tweets, interviews, etc. with every commentator under the sun, all speculating on where he'll end up. #Babswatch is trending on Twitter as we speak.

Sadly, this is the only noise Babcock makes anymore this far into the season.

[HockeytownRules19 902]

Haven't seen this posted yet... about an hour ago, Kypreos chimed in

Nick Kypreos @RealKyper · 1h 1 hour ago

As of 24hrs ago growing spec' Babcock and #Redwings would have a S.J type "mutual decision" to part ways. Will be interesting next 24hrs

Edited May 19, 2015 by HockeytownRules19

[ShanahanMan 473]

Haven't seen this posted it... about an hour ago, Kypreos chimed in

Nick Kypreos @RealKyper · 1h 1 hour ago

As of 24hrs ago growing spec' Babcock and #Redwings would have a S.J type "mutual decision" to part ways. Will be interesting next 24hrs

Buh-bye!

[RedWingsRox 614]

Haven't seen this posted yet... about an hour ago, Kypreos chimed in

Nick Kypreos @RealKyper · 1h 1 hour ago

As of 24hrs ago growing spec' Babcock and #Redwings would have a S.J type "mutual decision" to part ways. Will be interesting next 24hrs

If true, fine by me ... in the end, he wasn't as sought after as he or most people thought. Toronto, Buffalo, Det were the only true options. Nothing from Pittsburgh, SJ, Edmonton, St. Louis ...

Guess he's not even close to the 'best coach in the NHL period'.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

This is like an episode of The Bachelor". Everybody is waiting to see if Mike will give Ken Holland the rose.

Puke.

Not at all. It's insane. There is literally up to the minute articles, tweets, interviews, etc. with every commentator under the sun, all speculating on where he'll end up. #Babswatch is trending on Twitter as we speak.

If the whole process disgusts you so much, why follow it so closely? It's like repeatedly drinking spoiled milk.

[kipwinger 8,524]

If true, fine by me ... in the end, he wasn't as sought after as he or most people thought. Toronto, Buffalo, Det were the only true options. Nothing from Pittsburgh, SJ, Edmonton, St. Louis ...

Guess he's not even close to the 'best coach in the NHL period'.

It pains me to defend Mike Babcock. Everybody knows that I think he's an overrated, blowhard, whose folksy Canadian "awww shucks, we need to work harder, and listen to our wives more" crap is just a veneer.

That said, he's definitely one of the top coaches in the league. He's just not soooo much better that teams who already have good coaches (or coaching options) are willing to drop everything and throw the bank at him. There are a couple of coaches who are probably better, and a hand full that are as good. Any team without a coach, or with a consistently underwhelming coach should be happy to have him. But any team that already has a quality guy would be dumb to can them for Babs. And for some reason that was what everybody expected. Also, the fact that there are at least 3 or 4 other really good coaches available really diminished the interest in Babs. Why throw 5 million at him when you can get McLellan or Bylsma for cheaper and they're not much (or any) worse than he is.

If the whole process disgusts you so much, why follow it so closely? It's like repeatedly drinking spoiled milk.

I follow hockey because I love the sport. I'd really love to follow the Stanley Cup playoffs, since those are still going on and all. Unfortunately every single outlet dedicated to covering the sport of hockey, is currently following #Babswatch. So I'm forced to either quit following the sport I love, or follow it and comment on how idiotic this whole decision making process has been. I've chosen the latter. What else am I going to do, watch the NBA? Lol.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Haven't seen this posted yet... about an hour ago, Kypreos chimed in

Nick Kypreos @RealKyper · 1h 1 hour ago

As of 24hrs ago growing spec' Babcock and #Redwings would have a S.J type "mutual decision" to part ways. Will be interesting next 24hrs

Why would Babs part ways with the Wings since we have Suter? Kypreos said that was a done deal.

He's just throwing more speculation on the fire in hopes of looking like he had a scoop.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Haven't seen this posted yet... about an hour ago, Kypreos chimed in

Nick Kypreos @RealKyper · 1h 1 hour ago

As of 24hrs ago growing spec' Babcock and #Redwings would have a S.J type "mutual decision" to part ways. Will be interesting next 24hrs

Eh, Ryan Suter would be on the Wings top pairing and the team would still be playing now if everything Kypreos says actually came true.

Edited May 19, 2015 by GoWings1905