Wanted: Babcock http://t.co/Gh2Nv0yuYl pic.twitter.com/pwghKSUiyK
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) May 8, 2015
Somewhere between Detroit and Grand Rapids, Ken Holland and Mike Babcock had a heart to heart conversation. Holland got Babcock's take on his future as an NHL head coach.
Comes news today from TSN's Bob McKenzie that Holland is now giving Babcock permission to have discussions with other NHL teams about coaching opportunities in a window that is open for the next few weeks.
Babcock, 52, has been the head coach of the Red Wings for 10 seasons, leading them to a 458-223-105 regular season record and extending their NHL-leading streak of playoff appearances to 24 seasons.
Babcock is clearly in the driver's seat in these negotiations.
Holland is wise to allow Babcock to hear what the Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks have to offer. Babcock and his agent can listen to the best offers that the market will offer. Holland said last Friday that Wings owner Mike Ilitch is committed to paying whatever salary it with take to keep Babcock in Detroit. "Money is no object", said Holland on locker clean out day. Holland also said in the next breath that he was not going to allow Babcock to speak to other teams until June 30th or later.
So, what changed to make Holland do an about face in the past week?
Perhaps Holland is preparing for the inevitability of Babcock leaving for greener pastures and generational players Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel.
This is like Holland telling his steady girl that its's okay to test the dating market while still in a relationship.
Very unique situation.
Perhaps Babcock and his wife finally had their overdue heart to heart conversation about his coaching aspirations and goals. Maybe Babcock is ready to move on.
Listen, Holland replaced coaching legend Scotty Bowman. He may be prepared to skate away from Babcock. Grand Rapids Jeff Blashill is waiting in the zamboni tunnel to replace Babcock on the Detroit bench.
Babcock is seeking a yearly salary north of $5.5 million. He will get paid in Buffalo, Philly, and Edmonton. Toronto? Nah.
Babcock has a long, personal relationship with Buffalo GM Tim Murray. Murray hired Babcock to be head coach of the AHL Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. The two men worked well together for three seasons. Terry Pegula paid Rex Ryan $27 million over 5 seasons ($5.5M AAV) to head coach the NFL Buffalo Bills. Pegula will not be out bid for Babcock. Pegula and Murray are prepared to play high stakes poker to land Babcock. Babcock must salivate when he looks at teh Sabres and sees an unlimited budget, hockey ops input, Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, Evander Kane, Rasmus Ristolainen, Zach Bogosian, Nikita Zadorov, Mark Pysyk, Jake McCabe, Tyler Ennis, Marcus Foligno, Mikhail Grigorenko, Nick Baptsiste, Justin Bailey, JT Compher, and other young, hot players.
Babcock also has relationships with Peter Chiarelli and Bob Nicholson in Edmonton. Oilers owner Daryl Katz is a billionaire and may want to get into a bidding war with Pegula to land Babcock. Will Babcock coach Connor McDavid, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Jordan Eberle, Leon Draisaitl, Darnell Nurse?
Babs is a defensive systems wizard. The Oilers lack defensive depth on their NHL roster and are woefully lacking in D prospects in AHL Oklahoma City. Don't rule out Pittsburgh, Boston, St. Louis and Minnesota regarding Babcock. All three teams have head coaches at present, however, they might turf their current bench bosses in order to get their hands on Babcock. Will they be willing to go to $6 million per season to be head coach? Not likely.
Babcock will become an unrestricted free agent head coach at midnight on June 30.
Holland said Friday that the team that hires Babcock will have to sign a letter of agreement that will send a third round draft choice to the Red Wings.
Holland told the Detroit Free Press that Babcock has "earned" the right to speak with other teams after his ten loyal years of service to the Wings.
"I want Mike Babcock to stay if he wants to stay. The only way he knows if right, talk to teams who have interest in him."
"If Mike goes elsewhere, I'll shake his hand and thank him for 10 fabulous years."
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"I want Mike Babcock to stay if he wants to stay. The only way he knows if right, talk to teams who have interest in him."