Whether the Detroit Red Wings will need a new coach should be known within the week, according to the man who should know, current Wings coach Mike Babcock.
“I've done enough thinking,… Babcock suggested Friday in an interview with TSN’s Darren Dreger. “It's time to make a decision here pretty quick.…
Babcock indicated that his decision could come as early as Wednesday.
Detroit general manager Ken Holland had placed a soft deadline of May 25 on Babcock, allowing him permission to speak with other NHL teams and admitting that if Babcock told him he needed more time, he wouldn’t rush his coach into a decision.
Regardless, Holland was happy to hear Babcock indicate that the timeline on his future would be determined sooner rather than later.
“From our perspective, the sooner the better,… Holland said. “If he stays, we can get on with other things. If we leaves, we can start the process to finding a replacement.…
It’s known that Babcock has spoken to at least two other teams – the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres – but Holland denied a report out of Buffalo that Babcock had already determined that he would stay in Detroit.
“He hasn’t told me that,… Holland said. “I’ve been with him every day. He hasn’t given me a decision.…
Both Babcock and Holland are currently in Prague scouting the world championship.
“Nothing has changed from my part,… Holland said. “I’m really waiting for Mike to talk to some teams and make a decision. He met with a couple of teams prior to Prague. I had teams sign the compensation letter (which would give the Wings a third-round draft pick should Babcock sign with one of those teams).
“I’m in a holding pattern.…
If you’re the betting type, bet on Babcock staying put. He certainly doesn’t sound like someone looking for an exit.
“The Red Wings are an Original Six franchise, a special, special thing,… Babcock said. “I think about the opportunity to win. I think about my family and my time in Detroit. Is change important to invigorate you?
“I think about lots of things.…
Wuest Honoured The Wings announced Friday that they would recognize CapGeek.com founder Matthew Wuest by renaming the trophy presented to the championship team of their annual NHL prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich. the Matthew Wuest Memorial Cup.
While Wuest, who died in March at the age of 35 following a two-year battle with colon cancer, was known best for creating the website CapGeek.com, which tracked salary-cap data for all 30 NHL teams, and was a site that was widely-employed by scouts, general managers, media and fans alike, Wuest also developed and maintained RedWingsCentral.com (RWC) which provided rankings, scouting profiles and features focused on Detroit Red Wings prospects, a site that existed from 2001-14. “He knew (former Detroit assistant GM) Jim (Nill) and (head scout) Joe McDonnell,… Detroit assistant GM Ryan Martin said. “He called them regularly for information on prospects.
“He did an incredibly thorough job of letting people know about Red Wings prospects.…
Martin admitted that Wuest’s work on CapGeek.com was impressive and incredibly detailed and that the Wings were among many NHL teams that frequently employed the site.
“He knew the ins and outs of the salary cap section of the CBA,… Martin said. “Our pro scouts used it a lot. Kenny and I used it. It was relied upon by a ton of people.
“It required an unbelievable amount of due diligence and legwork. He did an unbelievable job.
“You knew the information was going to be bang-on for the most part.…
This year’s tournament, the 17th annual to be hosted by Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, Mich., will run Sept. 11-15 and will feature the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues along with the Red Wings.
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