Is Babcock just letting this rumor catch fire to speed up his contract negotiations with detroit? that would make sense.
- i'mjustafan

It would, but Babcock is a smart coach who knows what he has and what he doesn't. He isn't a young guy anymore. To walk into a team where he can make some changes and win, thats a big plus. Also, Detroit doesn't want their minor league coach to leave yet and they want him up at the NHL level when Babcock goes, but then you have a situation where you pay an AHL coach NHL money just to keep him around.
I find it to be speculation, but when it gets reported by so many, the whole smoke/fire thing starts to ring in my ears.

To be fair, Madden did just say that this is wishful thinking and he doesnt think Babcock is coming here---shocking, I know.

Basically he said that Babcock has 1 yr left on his deal and that Detroit has been grooming Blashill(sp?) to take over for him as they are not letting him talk to other teams. Madden posed the question, what does Detroit do if Babcock wont extened his contract this summer going into his final year. Would leave Holland with some decisions.
- Rawdog9755

He shouldn't say Babcock wants to coach Pittsburgh unless Babcock said that to him.

He's a hack.

@BeauBennett19: I love this city and the fans...unfortunate ending but can't wait to get after it next year

@BeauBennett19: For the record, I've never broken my wrist

@BeauBennett19: Or hand

@BeauBennett19: And I don't like milk

It would, but Babcock is a smart coach who knows what he has and what he doesn't. He isn't a young guy anymore. To walk into a team where he can make some changes and win, thats a big plus. Also, Detroit doesn't want their minor league coach to leave yet and they want him up at the NHL level when Babcock goes, but then you have a situation where you pay an AHL coach NHL money just to keep him around.
I find it to be speculation, but when it gets reported by so many, the whole smoke/fire thing starts to ring in my ears.
- usethe1-2-2

Plus the fact that it is getting talked about in an Olympic year when 87 spent a lot of time around Babcock a few months back. I dont think there is any truth to it, but you have to wonder if the NHL would conduct some bogus "we are going to look into this" if it came to fruition. Would have to think it was talked about in Sochi if it actually were to play out, no matter how unlikely.

He shouldn't say Babcock wants to coach Pittsburgh unless Babcock said that to him.

He's a hack.
- canadianpenfan

That was the one tweet I forgot to include. Bennett was trolling him.


This is one of those times all he's going to do speculate heavily and say "I told you so"

He shouldn't say Babcock wants to coach Pittsburgh unless Babcock said that to him.

He's a hack.
- canadianpenfan

I dont think he explicitly said that. Could be wrong, but when I have been listening he has said things like "If Babcock wants to coach Pitt".

Plus the fact that it is getting talked about in an Olympic year when 87 spent a lot of time around Babcock a few months back. I dont think there is any truth to it, but you have to wonder if the NHL would conduct some bogus "we are going to look into this" if it came to fruition. Would have to think it was talked about in Sochi if it actually were to play out, no matter how unlikely.
- Rawdog9755

Yes, I do think it is unreal to assume he wants to come here, that he wants to be here, but when you hear it from outside Pittsburgh sources??? There might be something there. I just find it strange that he would leave a team he is sooooo loyal to just to coach here.

If it is true or has any truth to it, I don't think you hold back anything to make it happen.

Then who coaches the road games?
- canadianpenfan

The assistant .....

The definition of irony.


http://www.thestar.com/sp...ed_antibullying_book.html

Anyone see that Despres had two goals last night for WBS, including the game winner in double overtime?

I dont think he explicitly said that. Could be wrong, but when I have been listening he has said things like "If Babcock wants to coach Pitt".
- Rawdog9755

On Madden's radio show, Mark said that he has heard that Babcock wants to coach the Penguins and he asked Rossi if he has heard the same thing and he said that yes he heard the same thing, that Babcock wants to coach the Penguins, and specifically wants to coach Sidney Crosby.

We have also heard about this riff between Crosby and Byslma after the Olympics, where Crosby was being coached by, Babcock. Definitely gets the little birdies', like Rossi, creative juices flowing.

On Madden's radio show, Mark said that he has heard that Babcock wants to coach the Penguins and he asked Rossi if he has heard the same thing and he said that yes he heard the same thing, that Babcock wants to coach the Penguins, and specifically wants to coach Sidney Crosby.

We have also heard about this riff between Crosby and Byslma after the Olympics, where Crosby was being coached by, Babcock. Definitely gets the little birdies', like Rossi, creative juices flowing.
- PensFan1103

If anything, it is fun to discuss and play along with. It takes away from a pitiful loss and gets people focusing on what is wrong. The thing that I like right now is that everyone is aware of this flawed roster and not just thinking that a small tweak turns us into a legit cup contender.

Mike Babcock would probably be the only coach capable of successfully graduating young players to the NHL level over the next few years while keeping the Penguins firmly in the position to comfortably make the playoffs. His systems allow the puck to do most of the work. His teams are disciplined. His teams play smart. His lines do complimentary things, like screen and cycle. In short, there is no way Detroit is going to allow Mike Babcock to vacate the pile of water bottles he leaves at the post-game press desk.

Trade Malkin to the highest bidder. You can't have two of the best and highest paid centers in the NHL on the same team and surround them with plugs. Other than the PP it's a pretty easy strategy for teams to figure out.

What a team would pay for Malkin alone could be an instant one-move-one minute-re-build not to mention the cap you'd clear. As soon as they signed Letang to that ridiculous contract they forced themselves to choose between Crosby or Malkin if they ever want to afford a team that can win a cup.

so i was able to have lunch with my friend from the penguins today. he told me some interesting stuff but nothing ground breaking.

1. Penguins are indeed interested in Babcock. However, he has never once said that he would be interested in coaching the penguins. Sports guys saying that are incorrect

2. He saw Maatta the other day before Game 7 and he has never seen an athlete look that physically and mentally exhausted.

3. Shero made one last effort to save Bylsma and actually might have put himself more at risk. He is convinced that Bylsma is still the better choice.

4. Although upper management isnt happy with Shero, they are uneasy about letting him go because they dont see a clear upgrade at GM. Lemieux doesnt want to make a move for the sake of making a move.

These were the main four. really the only one that contradicts the media is #1 about babcock wanting to coach us.

so i was able to have lunch with my friend from the penguins today. he told me some interesting stuff but nothing ground breaking.

1. Penguins are indeed interested in Babcock. However, he has never once said that he would be interested in coaching the penguins. Sports guys saying that are incorrect

2. He saw Maatta the other day before Game 7 and he has never seen an athlete look that physically and mentally exhausted.

3. Shero made one last effort to save Bylsma and actually might have put himself more at risk. He is convinced that Bylsma is still the better choice.

4. Although upper management isnt happy with Shero, they are uneasy about letting him go because they dont see a clear upgrade at GM. Lemieux doesnt want to make a move for the sake of making a move.

These were the main four. really the only one that contradicts the media is #1 about babcock wanting to coach us.
- SuperHenderson13

I was wondering if with a few days since the season ended and the Bruins getting eliminated last night if that would buy Bylsma one more year with more cap space to work with. I was thinking Ray may try and bring up points about man games lost, low cap, Olympics, etc.

Sharks will not be bringing back Dan Boyle, moving Burns back to defense, have an opening for a true shooting winger with Jumbo Joe. Enter Neal

Crosby needs a winger like Lucic. Someone who can make a little room, score a few and act as bodyguard when required. Crosby, Kunitz, Lucic. That's a good line right there.

I voted keep shero fire Byylsma. Dont feel firing Bylsma is deserved, but you can't fire crsoby or malkin. As far as Babcock? If Crosby and Malkin were upset about being called out by HCDB than Babcock will get eaten alive.

Trade Malkin to the highest bidder. You can't have two of the best and highest paid centers in the NHL on the same team and surround them with plugs. Other than the PP it's a pretty easy strategy for teams to figure out.

What a team would pay for Malkin alone could be an instant one-move-one minute-re-build not to mention the cap you'd clear. As soon as they signed Letang to that ridiculous contract they forced themselves to choose between Crosby or Malkin if they ever want to afford a team that can win a cup.
- sudburyboy

Plugs like Neal, Kunitz, Dupuis, Bennett, Jokinen, and Stempiak?

You keep Malkin and Sid. What you can't do is spend 4 million on Scuderi or 7 million on Letang when every prospect you have is at the blueline. This story gets old. Let me guess we should trade him o Anaheim? It works if you keep draft picks and have guys to plug in when a Talbot, Kennedy, Cooke leave. We choose to dump our picks on aging veterans at the deadlines.

Oh yeah a reliable goaltender helps!!! Fleury wasn't bad this year but he is the biggest box of choclates in the league!!!

Babcock isn't coming to Pittsburgh. If Shero is still around expect Barry Trotz as he will be looking for someone he trusts as his job is on the line.

you are so sensitive
- BulliesPhan87

far from it

opinionated? Absolutely. Sensitive? Never have been called that in my life.

so i was able to have lunch with my friend from the penguins today. he told me some interesting stuff but nothing ground breaking.

1. Penguins are indeed interested in Babcock. However, he has never once said that he would be interested in coaching the penguins. Sports guys saying that are incorrect

2. He saw Maatta the other day before Game 7 and he has never seen an athlete look that physically and mentally exhausted.

3. Shero made one last effort to save Bylsma and actually might have put himself more at risk. He is convinced that Bylsma is still the better choice.

4. Although upper management isnt happy with Shero, they are uneasy about letting him go because they dont see a clear upgrade at GM. Lemieux doesnt want to make a move for the sake of making a move.

These were the main four. really the only one that contradicts the media is #1 about babcock wanting to coach us.
- SuperHenderson13

1. No shocker really. It's commonplace with those two clowns.

2. You could see in mid March, after the Olympics, he needed a few games off. His play started to look tired. But, instead of doing the best thing for him and let Despres get a few games, they continued to play a tired 19 year old. Kid was never going to admit it or say something, but it was obvious to me.

3. When a coach loses the room, its time for him to go. It's not a hard concept to understand. I understand DB had challenges this year; not only with the roster Shero put together, but the injury situation. I do believe he made a concerted effort to make adjustments in the play-offs to some extent. As someone said earlier, he might have done his best coaching job and will get canned for it.

4. Canning a coach and a GM in the same year isn't a great situation, especially when you look at who is on the waiver wire. I can't thin of a GM that would be an upgrade. Feaster? Gillis? LOL.

Trade Malkin to the highest bidder. You can't have two of the best and highest paid centers in the NHL on the same team and surround them with plugs. Other than the PP it's a pretty easy strategy for teams to figure out.

What a team would pay for Malkin alone could be an instant one-move-one minute-re-build not to mention the cap you'd clear. As soon as they signed Letang to that ridiculous contract they forced themselves to choose between Crosby or Malkin if they ever want to afford a team that can win a cup.
- sudburyboy

So, you calling our two other 30-40 goal scoring types plugs?

Crosby needs a winger like Lucic. Someone who can make a little room, score a few and act as bodyguard when required. Crosby, Kunitz, Lucic. That's a good line right there.
- Grinder6

Plus who knows how the Bruins brass took what 17 did in the handshake line, they jettisoned Seguin out of town for immaturity. In the end, as classless as it was for Looch to do that, if your the Bs you gotta keep him. He would be fun to watch with Sid though, maybe Marchand up there? Sidenote, it only goes downhill from here for the Bs until they get a gun to replace Chara, what is he? 37 i think. They will continue to up there, any team with Bergeron will do just fine plus they have some great young kids, butRask will be exposed for what he is until they get a big shutdown Dman under 30, a goalie benefitting from a 7 footer on skates

I voted keep shero fire Byylsma. Dont feel firing Bylsma is deserved, but you can't fire crsoby or malkin. As far as Babcock? If Crosby and Malkin were upset about being called out by HCDB than Babcock will get eaten alive.
- ChrisMS

When a coach loses the room, and it appears that is what happens, the coach needs to go. There is no keeping him. It's deserved.

Crosby and Malkin need to get thick skin when it comes to criticism from their coach. Are they beyond being criticized in their own minds, while other players get called out.

Babcock would be on their asses; Keenan would too. Quenville would; Sutter would; Boudreau would; Patty Roy would; Carlyle too.