Eklund: Coach/Team President? More Details Coming in.... Buzzcast at 1pm ET

Goodbye Babs, Hello Blashill.

Why Do I see him in Edmonton?

Connection with Mikkelson, Chirelli and a chance to coach Mcdavid?

If he's in Edmonton its as coach and coach only.

now he can come back to Kenny and say. so and so is offering me this...

Eklund: Coach/Team President? More Details Coming in.... Buzzcast at 1pm ET
- Eklund

Why would a team not wait to sign him? A 3rd round pick for a guy who will not be under contract shortly seems pretty steep. I look forward to the first lawsuit by a coach or GM blocked from taking a job because the team that hired him wouldn't give up compensation.

Not sure what legal ground the NHL made this rule based on, but you can't prevent an ex-employee who is dismissed the ability to work in their chosen profession. Contract term left? Benefit should be not having to pay the remainder...if a team fires a guy, he should be able to go wherever freely.

Why would a team not wait to sign him? A 3rd round pick for a guy who will not be under contract shortly seems pretty steep. I look forward to the first lawsuit by a coach or GM blocked from taking a job because the team that hired him wouldn't give up compensation.

Not sure what legal ground the NHL made this rule based on, but you can't prevent an ex-employee who is dismissed the ability to work in their chosen profession. Contract term left? Benefit should be not having to pay the remainder...if a team fires a guy, he should be able to go wherever freely.
- Deeps27

its the same reason teams trade for player's rights prior to July 1. If someone comes in and blows Babcock away you won't be abel to wait. He will be with a new team in the next week...two tops.

now he can come back to Kenny and say. so and so is offering me this...
- wingz4life

yes indeed. He has already turned down two offers per St. james.

I said a month ago he will be in Boston as the GM and associate coach with Julien. Sweeney gets expanded assistant GM role.

its the same reason teams trade for player's rights prior to July 1. If someone comes in and blows Babcock away you won't be abel to wait. He will be with a new team in the next week...two tops.
- Eklund

Just to add to Ek, Babs is not fired.... He is currently under contract with the Wings.

He's NOT getting more power from the Flyers if thats what he wants... Move it along kids

yes indeed. He has already turned down two offers per St. james.
- Eklund

Babcock is giving the Wings every opportunity to keep him offer wise. Also the Wings have positioned themselves well.... Part of me wants him back just to dissapoint the Hype machine, but I would like to see Blashill have his chance with these players he developed in the A.

I said a month ago he will be in Boston as the GM and associate coach with Julien. Sweeney gets expanded assistant GM role.
- Muskwa

Doubt it

Delusions of grandeur!! There are other coaches in the NHL.....heck there are 8 with teams that are still playing right now!!

its the same reason teams trade for player's rights prior to July 1. If someone comes in and blows Babcock away you won't be abel to wait. He will be with a new team in the next week...two tops.
- Eklund

I don't doubt it - if it's a 3rd, has to be a contending team that snags him...not a smart re-build move to part with assets for a coach.

Would he take a 2 year deal with Detroit with a 3rd year option to then see how buffalo or the oilers or whoever look in 2/3 years before committing?

Just to add to Ek, Babs is not fired.... He is currently under contract with the Wings.
- BooBoo997

I get that - July 1 he will not require compensation though. My point was more to a hiring like Chiarelli in EDM. Word was the B's asked for compensation after (smart move) he was hired in Edmonton.

If they had of done this beforehand and EDM decided not to move forward with a contract offer because the compensation demand was too high, what happens then?

Why would a team not wait to sign him? A 3rd round pick for a guy who will not be under contract shortly seems pretty steep. I look forward to the first lawsuit by a coach or GM blocked from taking a job because the team that hired him wouldn't give up compensation.

Not sure what legal ground the NHL made this rule based on, but you can't prevent an ex-employee who is dismissed the ability to work in their chosen profession. Contract term left? Benefit should be not having to pay the remainder...if a team fires a guy, he should be able to go wherever freely.
- Deeps27

Well they don't really fire the coach.......after all they are still paying him. They essentially just send them home, and they are still paid by the firing team till the end of their contract. So essentially they are still working for the team and I'm sure teams feel free to consult them on occasion while still paying them.

If for example one coach was fired and then hired by a rival team he would bring much valuable info on the rivals teams player needs, wants, targets, draft desires, injuries, contract issues, etc.

Mabye thats why the Flyers and Hexy dont have an Asst GM. Hire babcok and give him the Asst Gm as well so he has say in some of the players.

I don't doubt it - if it's a 3rd, has to be a contending team that snags him...not a smart re-build move to part with assets for a coach.
-Deeps27

A good coach would probably be much more valuable to a rebuilding team than a 3rd round pick... wouldn't he?

As I reported in the first paragraph of yesterday's story Mike Babcock is now allowed to talk to other teams
- Eklund

You DIDN'T report this yesterday. You suggested that he MAY be able to start talking to teams before the end of May. Don't make it sound like you reported it first.

Well they don't really fire the coach.......after all they are still paying him. They essentially just send them home, and they are still paid by the firing team till the end of their contract. So essentially they are still working for the team and I'm sure teams feel free to consult them on occasion while still paying them.

If for example one coach was fired and then hired by a rival team he would bring much valuable info on the rivals teams player needs, wants, targets, draft desires, injuries, contract issues, etc.
- Bullot

All I'm saying is that on a legal challenge the NHL has left themselves open to the possibility of a winnable lawsuit by a fired coach/GM (apologies for not being clearer on this point in my original post) being denied work in their chosen profession. The "compensation" a firing organization receives is not being required to pay the remainder of the contract when hired, which could be in the 100's of thousands, if not millions. Organizations world-wide take the risk of IP leaving their company every day.

Babs, if you're reading this, don't come to Toronto. I respect you too much to see that.

A good coach would probably be much more valuable to a rebuilding team than a 3rd round pick... wouldn't he?
- mixturebill

Maybe, but not in my opinion. You make a good point though.

You could also put a beer vendor behind the bench for a couple years while the team is bad and then hire someone else on the market when ready to compete.

it iOS hard to imagine the Penguins won't covertly talk to Mike...

iOS is actually software and not very hard at all.