[News] Detroit grants permission to Babcock to talk to other teams

[JohnnySkittles]

Babcock has said numerous times he has zero interest in GM/management roles.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

ok, I'm not sitting here saying that Babcock isn't a good coach, he is, but where's the threat if he does go to Edmonton.

Has Babcock ever coached a bad team? No, but he's coached Detroit teams that are very deep and built very well. He's coached international teams that are all stars.

Beyond his one Cup win and one trip to the finals, he's taken very deep talented Detroit teams to the second round.

What's going to happen if he's coaching a team with a nice top 6 and not much else?

Let him go to Edmonton, the town where coaches go to die.

Babcock took a pretty sub par Anaheim team(especially compared to some of the powerhouses at the time) to the finals in 2002-2003.

He's the only coach to have the triple crown.

So he's got a pretty good reputation.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by JohnnySkittles

Babcock has said numerous times he has zero interest in GM/management roles.

Well, I've heard he wants a say, like Patrick Roy.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

This is insanity... but wonder if Katz would pay him $15M per?

I realize that's about 6 times higher than the highest paid coach ever. But Katz is a bazillionaire, Edmonton is under immense pressure, and are moving into a new building. Katz is desperate for Babcock.

Katz was as big of an Alberta PC booster as there was. I suspect his appetite to spend stupidly in Edmonton has been tempered big time. His buddy Mandel who basically gave him his new arena got taken to the woodshed in this last election.

He's probably closer to being Bill Wirtz spiteful right now than Steinbrenner win at all costs spending.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Babcock took a pretty sub par Anaheim team(especially compared to some of the powerhouses at the time) to the finals in 2002-2003.

He's the only coach to have the triple crown.

So he's got a pretty good reputation.

Yeah, he was considered a great coach before Detroit got him. If the Oilers get him, it's major. IMO, the Oilers biggest problem over the past few seasons was having a coach that could help develop NHL talent and have the balls to discipline the kids properly.

I wouldn't expect an instant turnaround because of him, but after 3 season I would bet on measurable impact.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by burnitdown

If you can believe Dreger, McKenzie and LeBrun then Edmonton certainly isn't a dark horse...he's the favourite. So it's not an out of this world thought. The main reasons they give are Connor McDavid, his close ties with Chiarelli/Nicholson, and money.

I'm hoping he stays in Detroit. No need to help the Leafs or Oilers out!

I don't believe them because they haven't spoken to Babcock and since any talk with other teams would be tampering it's nothing but media speculation which has flipped flopped with the wind from the Leafs, back to the staying with the Wings, and now hey why not the Oilers because they are getting McDavid. Maybe he does go there but if he does he won't win a cup again.

[Walter Reed]

My druthers would have Todd McLellan coach Edmonton.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Yeah, he was considered a great coach before Detroit got him. If the Oilers get him, it's major. IMO, the Oilers biggest problem over the past few seasons was having a coach that could help develop NHL talent and have the balls to discipline the kids properly.

I wouldn't expect an instant turnaround because of him, but after 3 season I would bet on measurable impact.

Ducks weren't so hot in his 2nd season as head coach so he's not infallible. Funny stat is that Dave Lewis actually has a better regular season winning percentage than Babcock which goes to show that a great organization is likely just as important as the coach.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Walter Reed

My druthers would have Todd McLellan coach Edmonton.

He seems to be the guy they have zeroed in on. He's a good coach but he would be put to the test in Edmonton.

[Walter Reed]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

He seems to be the guy they have zeroed in on. He's a good coach but he would be put to the test in Edmonton.

Scotty Bowman would have been tested by this team.
I would hope whoever is selected that Todd Nelson be a part of the coaching staff.

[Hockey Fan #751]

St. Louis and San Jose make the most sense in terms of purely hockey decisions but neither team could afford Babcock.

I was also under the impression that he absolutely does not want any power beyond that of head coach, because his main goal in achieving a much higher salary is to try and boost salaries of coaches in the NHL. If he also took a management position, it wouldn't do that for other coaches.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Hockey Fan #751

St. Louis and San Jose make the most sense in terms of purely hockey decisions but neither team could afford Babcock.

I was also under the impression that he absolutely does not want any power beyond that of head coach, because his main goal in achieving a much higher salary is to try and boost salaries of coaches in the NHL. If he also took a management position, it wouldn't do that for other coaches.

It's not so much that he wants a "position". Freidman said he wanted influence in personnel decisions.

[Kolbe31]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Well, I've heard he wants a say, like Patrick Roy.

Which apparently he has plenty of in Detroit, so he says. If he's looking for a challenge, might as well stay in Detroit. Money won't be an issue, it's a blank cheque wherever he goes.

Can't remember where I read it, but apparently Babcock and Holland's wives are very close as well. Could influence the decision, Babcock did say his wife is the boss!

[JohnnySkittles]

If Babcocks wife really is the boss then Edmonton is a long shot.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Babcock took a pretty sub par Anaheim team(especially compared to some of the powerhouses at the time) to the finals in 2002-2003.

He's the only coach to have the triple crown.

So he's got a pretty good reputation.

You mean Giguere took a pretty sub par Anaheim team to the finals right? The fact that the goalie from the losing team won the Conn Smythe kind of tells you all you need to know.

[sureLoss]

Nick Kypreos @RealKyper
Before granting permission to talk to other teams Babcock turned down #RedWings multi yr deal that would made him highest paid in the #NHL

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Nick Kypreos @RealKyper
Before granting permission to talk to other teams Babcock turned down #RedWings multi yr deal that would made him highest paid in the #NHL

Wow, that's telling. I mean, anyone who's ever been to Detroit wouldn't blame him, it's a dump. But still...

[sureLoss]

Nick Kypreos @RealKyper
Told offer was substantially higher then Quenneville's who is highest paid. As of now #RedWings not willing to pay 5m per yr as others might

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Nick Kypreos @RealKyper
Told offer was substantially higher then Quenneville's who is highest paid. As of now #RedWings not willing to pay 5m per yr as others might

Really? I figured he'd get $5M without anyone batting an eye. Thats about the range I was expecting.

[JohnnySkittles]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Wow, that's telling. I mean, anyone who's ever been to Detroit wouldn't blame him, it's a dump. But still...

Is it though? If I was Babcock I'd do the same, would at least want to see what's out there first before signing anything.