Babcock is as good as gone imo. He wants to be able to decide who makes the team and who doesn't no matter if they can be sent down or loss of assets and that isn't happening with Holland. I also think he wants a bigger more physical team that can play his grinding, ugly style of hockey that he loves so much and that isn't the Wings.


Bring on Blashill, I'm good with that.
- dcz28

Buck Fabcock

ya. loser franchise TO. just starting a rebuild. he wants to win. Is EDM planning on getting any better in goal and on defense?
- wingz4life

YES

ya. loser franchise TO. just starting a rebuild. he wants to win. Is EDM planning on getting any better in goal and on defense?
- wingz4life

Sounds like he wants to get paid.

I'll be surprised if he doesn't go to edmonton. If the money is in line, doesn't have to be top dollar, then thats a perfect setup for multiple championships and Babs will seal it.

I don't get why Babcock is the undisputed number one coach in the league. I could of coached the teams he has had to similar success. Team canada literally doesn't even need to be coached and having datsyuk and z plus others for 10+ years makes coaching a hell of a lot easier. I'm not saying he is a bum I just don't get what he has done that sets him so far above anyone else?

I'll be surprised if he doesn't go to edmonton. If the money is in line, doesn't have to be top dollar, then thats a perfect setup for multiple championships and Babs will seal it.
- brienstel

Multiple championships? How about make the playoffs for a change first.

I don't get why Babcock is the undisputed number one coach in the league. I could of coached the teams he has had to similar success. Team canada literally doesn't even need to be coached and having datsyuk and z plus others for 10+ years makes coaching a hell of a lot easier. I'm not saying he is a bum I just don't get what he has done that sets him so far above anyone else?
- blizzzard

I agree.

If the next organization he goes too doesn't set themselves up for long term success properly, and technically they should anyways with or without getting Babs, they may be in for a dissapointment

I don't get why Babcock is the undisputed number one coach in the league. I could of coached the teams he has had to similar success. Team canada literally doesn't even need to be coached and having datsyuk and z plus others for 10+ years makes coaching a hell of a lot easier. I'm not saying he is a bum I just don't get what he has done that sets him so far above anyone else?
- blizzzard

I don't find his Detroit teams the past few years that talented.

I don't find his Detroit teams the past few years that talented.
- RogerRoeper

It's ok to fire coaches in Pittsburgh that can't win with Crosby and Malkin but Babcock gets a free pass with Datsyuk and Zetterberg?

I don't find his Detroit teams the past few years that talented.
- RogerRoeper

He also coached a pretty underwhelming 7th seeded Anaheim team to the finals in 03

He also coached a pretty underwhelming 7th seeded Anaheim team to the finals in 03
- daredwingsman19

That had nothing to do with Babcock and everything to do with JS Giguere having the best playoff performance of the last 20+ years.

It's ok to fire coaches in Pittsburgh that can't win with Crosby and Malkin but Babcock gets a free pass with Datsyuk and Zetterberg?
- Mr_Underwood

Datsyuk and Zetterberg are not Crosby and Malkin.

In the end, Pittsburgh has very little depth. It's not a coaching issue anyways.

Datsyuk and Zetterberg are not Crosby and Malkin.

In the end, Pittsburgh has very little depth. It's not a coaching issue anyways.
- RogerRoeper

The point was you have 2 elite, world class, 2 way centers for 10 years and you win 1 cup and get crowned the best coach in the league while another coach has 2 elite, world class, point producing centers and wins 1 cup in 6 years and gets fired. Makes no sense to me. Also the coach that got fired out coached the other guy in the cup finals.

This Babcock poop is stupid.

The point was you have 2 elite, world class, 2 way centers for 10 years and you win 1 cup and get crowned the best coach in the league while another coach has 2 elite, world class, point producing centers and wins 1 cup in 6 years and gets fired. Makes no sense to me. Also the coach that got fired out coached the other guy in the cup finals.

This Babcock poop is stupid.
- Mr_Underwood

Outcoached? It also helped that Datsyuk didn't play until game 5....

Outcoached? It also helped that Datsyuk didn't play until game 5....
- Hockeytown4life

Yes he squandered a 3-2 series lead...

Hes probably going to the Oilers

I would say if TO was in a different division than us, he might actually go there, but i dont see him going to a direct division rival of the wings

Babcock said this today:

To be honest with you, my family wants to stay here, my wife and kids.”

He said earlier that he has two bosses: Holland and his Wife.

So, whats the hold up in re-signing?

Its about $, hes going to talk to these other teams and then come back to Kenny and tell him what these teams offered...
- wingz4life

Going by what Babcock has said, I still would put $$ on Babs signing a 1 yr deal with the Wings and the whole storyline is repeated a yr from now.

- he has stated in the past he has no issues doing a yr by yr deal
- he wants to set a new "standard" for coaches
- when he has moved in the past it's been for a better job, while he says there is no place better than Detroit


By talking to other teams, he gets to see what offers are out there, driving the price up. By signing a 1 yr deal, he can continue to help "raise the coaches standard" not only this yr, but next season as well, when this storyline is again getting the attention it is now.

-add in the Wings signed Blashill to a 3 yr contract last June, so it doesn't run the risk of the Wings losing him

That's my 2 cent bet....could be wrong, and if so, we'll see what Blashill can do at the NHL level

Going by what Babcock has said, I still would put $$ on Babs signing a 1 yr deal with the Wings and the whole storyline is repeated a yr from now.

- he has stated in the past he has no issues doing a yr by yr deal
- he wants to set a new "standard" for coaches
- when he has moved in the past it's been for a better job, while he says there is no place better than Detroit


By talking to other teams, he gets to see what offers are out there, driving the price up. By signing a 1 yr deal, he can continue to help "raise the coaches standard" not only this yr, but next season as well, when this storyline is again getting the attention it is now.

-add in the Wings signed Blashill to a 3 yr contract last June, so it doesn't run the risk of the Wings losing him

That's my 2 cent bet....could be wrong, and if so, we'll see what Blashill can do at the NHL level
- Bren4Wings

I get what your saying, i would have said this was possible prior to him talking to other teams, but to be honest now that hes talking to other teams i think its a wrap

The point was you have 2 elite, world class, 2 way centers for 10 years and you win 1 cup and get crowned the best coach in the league while another coach has 2 elite, world class, point producing centers and wins 1 cup in 6 years and gets fired. Makes no sense to me. Also the coach that got fired out coached the other guy in the cup finals.

This Babcock poop is stupid.
- Mr_Underwood

1 cup in 6 years with a team that had 5 top 5 picks from 2002-2006. Detroit had nothing like that, and Babs had a team that was luckily graced by Zata and Pavel who happened to break the mold and turn into superstars. To say Babcock is overrated? You're off your (frank)ing rocker. Detroit has been a limited team talent wise since 2010. Only reason they've stayed competitive is because of Babcock's ability to get the most out of his players. Give Bylsma this team, we miss the playoffs the past 2 years.

I get what your saying, i would have said this was possible prior to him talking to other teams, but to be honest now that hes talking to other teams i think its a wrap
- digitalbath

I understand and agree with your thought process. However,for Holland to change his tune in a weeks time-- from we won't allow him to speak to other teams, to now allowing him to do so-- makes me wonder what was said in the car ride to GR. Something changed. I have to wonder if there wasn't some sort of understanding made between the 2. Something like Holland understanding where Babs is coming from in regards to "new coach standard", and said go talk to these teams- do what you feel you need to, then come back with what's been offered and we'll talk and match. Add in what Babs has said in regards to his wife and her input...I still place my 2 cent bet on Babs signing a 1 yr deal with the Wings, accomplishing what he wanted to do-- raising coaches standards and drawing attention to it not just over 1 seasons time, but over 2 ---keeping it relevant.

I guess we'll find out in a few weeks time. Either way it goes, I think the Wings win -- whether it's Babs or Blashill behind the bench next season.

1 cup in 6 years with a team that had 5 top 5 picks from 2002-2006. Detroit had nothing like that, and Babs had a team that was luckily graced by Zata and Pavel who happened to break the mold and turn into superstars. To say Babcock is overrated? You're off your (frank)ing rocker. Detroit has been a limited team talent wise since 2010. Only reason they've stayed competitive is because of Babcock's ability to get the most out of his players. Give Bylsma this team, we miss the playoffs the past 2 years.
- snipesydangle

If you consider getting bounced in the first round competitive I guess Babcock has done a great job.

If you consider getting bounced in the first round competitive I guess Babcock has done a great job.
- Mr_Underwood

Yea I guess I forgot that he actually laces up the skates and plays. I don't know what else you wanted him to do this past series? His team put themselves in the position to win the series, yet couldn't finish. He can't make them score goals. He gave them a game plan that had them outplay Tampa the last game, but the players, those 2 world class players in Pavel and Zata that you boast about, couldn't find a way to find the twine. Not much he can do when the only real solidified goal scorer is out with a concussion.

Yea I guess I forgot that he actually laces up the skates and plays. I don't know what else you wanted him to do this past series? His team put themselves in the position to win the series, yet couldn't finish. He can't make them score goals. He gave them a game plan that had them outplay Tampa the last game, but the players, those 2 world class players in Pavel and Zata that you boast about, couldn't find a way to find the twine. Not much he can do when the only real solidified goal scorer is out with a concussion.
- snipesydangle

I just figured such a great coach could close out a 3-2 series lead.

As crazy as it sounds, Tampa Bay is on the top of his list. Babcock would be taking Andrew Brewer and possibly a few others with him. If he walks Detroit is going to be missing a lot of coaching talent.

You heard it hear first.

As crazy as it sounds, Tampa Bay is on the top of his list. Babcock would be taking Andrew Brewer and possibly a few others with him. If he walks Detroit is going to be missing a lot of coaching talent.

You heard it hear first.
- HoweHatrick