Babcock granted permission to talk to other teams

[amato 3,210]

[Datsyukian-Deke 722]

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.

if you add these 3 tweets together he literally just said nothing

[xtrememachine1 795]

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'.

We've been pretty spoiled when it comes to coaches over the past couple decades. Look around the league, the coaching spot has been a revolving door, meanwhile we have a guy that led a mediocre Ducks team and led them to the Finals, took a Wings team that was in some serious transition after the Yzerman era and made it to the final four 3 times in a row with a Stanley Cup championship. He also won a couple Gold medals at the Olympics. Yes, he hasn't done much since recently, but he hasn't had much to work with since either. Lidstrom, Rafalski and Stuart all left within a couple years and really were never replaced. Franzen fell apart. We've been breaking in new goalies ever since Osgood retired. He's not blameless for the playoff failures of the past few years, but I don't think this lack of success is any indication of how good he is as a coach. He's done a heck of a lot more than any other active coach in the league.

[amato 3,210]

I have a feeling Babcock re-signs short term and blashill waits it out. Found an article from last off season when blash signed his extension and he sounds like he's ready to wait it out....

"Im a Michigan guy," said Blashill, who lives in East Grand Rapids with his wife and three children, ages 3 to 8. "My family lives in West Michigan between Big Rapids and Traverse City. My wife is from the Detroit area. I love Grand Rapids. I think it is one of the nicest cities in America."

"I am extremely cognizant that I live in a great place. I work in a great place and work for great people in a great organization. Im not in any rush to leave a great situation."

"Actually, Id say the opposite: I was excited at the opportunity to be able to further my time with the Grand Rapids Griffins."

http://www.mlive.com/griffins/index.ssf/2014/06/griffins_coach_jeff_blashill_e_1.html Edited May 19, 2015 by amato

[wings87 1,290]

How embarrassing for the NHL that this is the major story and not the Cup finals.

There should be a rule that teams aren't allowed to do anything during the playoffs, so as not to overshadow the games-just like MLB does.

[ami 273]

if you add these 3 tweets together he literally just said nothing

It also means reading tweeter is a waste of time.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

How embarrassing for the NHL that this is the major story and not the Cup finals.

There should be a rule that teams aren't allowed to do anything during the playoffs, so as not to overshadow the games-just like MLB does.

The Cup Finals haven't started yet. Besides, if the Ducks and Lightning play in the Finals, nobody in this country will watch it anyway. Come to think of it, there's maybe 3 or 4 people in the Midwest that even know who Babcock is.

Nobody here really cares about this story. It's just Wings fans who do.

[marcaractac 3,963]

I have a feeling Babcock re-signs short term and blashill waits it out. Found an article from last off season when blash signed his extension and he sounds like he's ready to wait it out....

http://www.mlive.com/griffins/index.ssf/2014/06/griffins_coach_jeff_blashill_e_1.html

This is basically why I think that even if Babs does sign long term and Blash gets an NHL gig elsewhere, he will absolutely come back when given the chance to coach the Wings down the road. Just like I think Stevie Y will end up back in the organization down the road.

[wings87 1,290]

The Cup Finals haven't started yet. Besides, if the Ducks and Lightning play in the Finals, nobody in this country will watch it anyway. Come to think of it, there's maybe 3 or 4 people in the Midwest that even know who Babcock is.

Nobody here really cares about this story. It's just Wings fans who do.

By finals I meant the entire postseason.

Hockey reporters seem to care a great deal.

[gcom007 1,465]

I can't wait for this to end so all of this ridiculous whining can stop.

What's more absurd: Babcock taking a few weeks to make a huge decision or fans on a message board pissing and moaning about it incessantly for literally days on end?

You don't like all the media coverage?!? Boo ******* hoo. Get over it. Babcock really hasn't done as much to encourage it as many seem so desperate to believe. Really, he hasn't. And he really isn't taking that much time to deal with it. It's not unreasonable that he wants to assess his options at the ten year mark, and it's more than reasonable to take a couple weeks to spend time actually talking to other teams in order to make an informed decision.

Nothing that is happening is outrageous except for how much some people around here want to whine about it. It's out of your control. The media is out of your control. And to what degree the media may be out of control, that is out of Babcock's control.

All things considered, this whole situation is being handled quickly and efficiently. Remember, Holland gave Babcock until the 25th to talk to teams, and Babcock came out and said he'd make a decision by tomorrow, the 20th. Babcock absolutely isn't dragging this out.

[HockeytownRules19 902]

Babcock in contract negotiations with Buffalo?

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/13727874ade248739d461295592c8b6a/ap-source-babcock-contract-talks-buffalo-sabres

[Firefighter4WingedWheel 12]

According to theScore:

Sabres' offer to head coach Mike Babcock in the $5 mil per season range.

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/755343

From Bleacher Report:

MB deciding between Det and Buf. According to Buf news Buf's offer "Far Better" than Det.

Can't find a link to the BR article. Just saw it pop up on my phone.

FWIW.

Edited May 19, 2015 by Firefighter4WingedWheel

[Rhah 195]

AP source: Mike Babcock in contract talks with Sabres

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2015/05/19/detroit-red-wings-mike-babcock-buffalo-sabres/27598551/

Edited May 19, 2015 by Rhah

[kipwinger 8,522]

I can't wait for this to end so all of this ridiculous whining can stop.

What's more absurd: Babcock taking a few weeks to make a huge decision or fans on a message board pissing and moaning about it incessantly for literally days on end?

You don't like all the media coverage?!? Boof****** hoo. Get over it. Babcock really hasn't done as much to encourage it as many seem so desperate to believe. Really, he hasn't. And he really isn't taking that much time to deal with it. It's not unreasonable that he wants to assess his options at the ten year mark, and it's more than reasonable to take a couple weeks to spend time actually talking to other teams in order to make an informed decision.

Nothing that is happening is outrageous except for how much some people around here want to whine about it. It's out of your control. The media is out of your control. And to what degree the media may be out of control, that is out of Babcock's control.

All things considered, this whole situation is being handled quickly and efficiently. Remember, Holland gave Babcock until the 25th to talk to teams, and Babcock came out and said he'd make a decision by tomorrow, the 20th. Babcock absolutely isn't dragging this out.

So anybody who doesn't agree with you is a whiny, desperate, pissy, moany, crybaby?

That's an awfully decent way for you to approach the subject. Thanks for the positive contribution.

[Rhah 195]

Wondering if this contract phone call with BUF is just receiving an official offer so he can take it back to Holland to see if they will truly match like they said?

[kipwinger 8,522]

Ted Kulfan ‏@tkulfan 6m6 minutes ago

"I'll know in the morning" Babcock texts as to where he'll coach next season...says there is nothing else to report. "Same old, same old"

7 retweets 7 favorites

[Vinny 0]

I think if Mantha would have finished off the AHL with a dominant season (30 goals) Babcock would be staying put.

[Wingnut in WA 86]

Or if we would stop being cheap and pay him 5mil/year like he wants.

[RedWingsRox 614]

Great news ... please accept Buffalo's offer. Let's move on already, next man up ... congratulations Blashill.

[Firefighter4WingedWheel 12]

I'll know in the morning? WTF does that mean? He isn't deciding if he should mow the lawn or if it's going to rain.

[marcaractac 3,963]

I'll know in the morning? WTF does that mean? He isn't deciding if he should mow the lawn or if it's going to rain.

It means it is a big decision and he is going to sleep on it. Hardly unreasonable.

[HockeytownRules19 902]

If this is true... Good Freaking Lord

Matthew Coller @MatthewWGR · 7m 7 minutes ago

A source close to the situation tells me the Sabres' offer is "in the range of $50 million dollars"

[HockeytownRules19 902]

Pierre LeBrun @Real_ESPNLeBrun · 6m 6 minutes ago

Just spoke with Mike Babcock: ``I hope to make a decision by morning, but I’m still very much undecided.''

[wings87 1,290]

If this is true... Good Freaking Lord

Matthew Coller @MatthewWGR · 7m 7 minutes ago

A source close to the situation tells me the Sabres' offer is "in the range of $50 million dollars"

Screw Babcock, I'll take it.

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

Great news ... please accept Buffalo's offer. Let's move on already, next man up ... congratulations Blashill.

Totally agree. Babcock is obviously a good coach. But sometimes the message can become stale after this many seasons not getting past the 2nd round. Blashill has certainly proved that he at least deserves a shot with the big boys. Plus, a lot of our young guys are very familiar with him, and have had success with him. Hopefully Kenny does the right thing and promotes from within, rather than hire outside help.