The reality of the Mike Babcock situation appears to be pretty clear.
All indications point to a return to the Red Wings, with really only four teams seriously in the hunt as of now. Currently Toronto, Buffalo, St. Louis, and San Jose are the only teams wooing Babcock. Other teams who originally wanted to take a shot were put off a bit by the fact Babcock wasn't going to present what he would do for the team as is per usual in a coach interview (see yesterday's story for more details.)
Toronto and Buffalo are going to put forth gigantic contract offers, and Mike Babcock does feel a certain sense of responsibility to drive the prices for head coaches forward. Were he a player the NHLPA would be all over him about this. The Detroit offers could be far less than what Toronto or Buffalo put forth. Meanwhile St. Louis and San Jose offer the potential for more immediate success, the money could be slightly better than Detroit..but probably in the ballpark.
And yet again... all indications are Mike really wants to stay in Detroit. The team has a lot of young stars and some serious potential coming, while there are still a few obvious miles left in the tank of the veterans. Plus Mike loves it in Detroit.
Talking to a few sources I am starting to get an indication of how this might play out over the next week or so. Don't be surprised if Babcock comes out and says he is done talking with other teams and is now going to talk to the Red Wings. Everyone will assume that this means he is going back to Detroit, but remember we really don't know how far the Red Wings ownership is willing to go here and they may look at the situation and say they expect a big hometown discount. I am not sure Mike is going to accept that.
So then what happens?
The other teams may have filled their coaching spot thinking Babcock was going back to Detroit...the Draft is coming and I fully expect teams to start to get edgy.
Ken Hitchcock for example might not be sticking around in St. Louis now that he knows the Blues have talked to Mike Babcock. Dan Bylsma is out there and just this morning I heard his name tied to the Sabres. Boston still hasn't said what they are going to do with Claude Julien... And Julien, if he becomes available, he is not a bad consolation prize for a team who doesn't get Mike Babcock. I heard Claude Julien today tied to St. Louis when I talked to an NHL source...I have also heard he could remain in Boston...
Basically there is still a ton of wiggle room in the Babcock situation...
So if Babcock comes out and announces that he is returning to Detroit, or more likely says he is talking to Detroit about a contract, it doesn't mean the whole situation is over. Not at all.
I've been told the Maple Leafs will wait on this..as long as it takes...
We will of course discuss this and much more on today's HockeyBuzzcast at 1pm ET