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

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Nyquist, Tatar and Pulkkinen have the best shot at becoming the next stars for the Red Wings. Calgary has a larger amount of good prospects on forward, but the top tiers of both systems are comparable. Nyquist, Tatar, Gaudreau, Monahan and Bennett have all shown 1st/2nd line abilities already, while Pulkkinen has a spectacular shot and I think he will become a 35+ goal scorer in the NHL, there are only a few guys in the NHL with a better shot.

On Defense, they don't have a sure fire prospect, just a few above average prospects. Dekeyser, Sproul and Oullet have top 4 upside but how far up that goes is still questionable, just like Wotherspoon and Morrison here, although I would take each of the Detroit 3 above either Spoon or Morrison.

Between the pipes, Mrazek is about on par with Ortio, but the Flames have Gillies and McDonald where the Wings have........... a whole lot of nothing.

Tatar at 24 and Nyquist at 25 have not put up the points than Monahan at 20 and a 21 year old rookie in Gaudreau were able to do.

Pulkkinen at 23 put up 8 points in 31 games. He is a good prospect, but if you're trying to compare him to Bennett, you're just arguing garbage.

Tatar, Nyquist and Pulkkinen are solid young players. They are not in the same class as Monahan, Gaudreau and Bennett. Not really close.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Tatar at 24 and Nyquist at 25 have not put up the points than Monahan at 20 and a 21 year old rookie in Gaudreau were able to do.

Pulkkinen at 23 put up 8 points in 31 games. He is a good prospect, but if you're trying to compare him to Bennett, you're just arguing garbage.

Tatar, Nyquist and Pulkkinen are solid young players. They are not in the same class as Monahan, Gaudreau and Bennett. Not really close.

I never said they were. In my prior post I said beyond Gaudreau, Monahan and Bennett they were comparable and that's what I was referring to. The next class of players in our system (Poirier/Granlund/Klimchuk/Jankowski etc are comparable to their system once you get past their top 3 guys Nyquist, Tatar, and Pulkkinen). I would easily take our three over their three although I really wish we could get our hands on Pulkkinen, he's a legit sniper.

Also, Pulkkinen was getting played in 3rd and 4th line minutes with no PP time. He scored 34 goals in 47 AHL games this year. Once he gets proper playing time in the NHL, he'll be very good.

[sureLoss]

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
Sounds like we have a Mike Babcock sighting in BUF today.

[mhsyyc]

If rumors are true and Babcock is looking at an organization from the owner on down then he shouldn't end up in Edmonton. Katz is an idiot. Pegula, MLSE and Ed Snyder are all better owners

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
Sounds like we have a Mike Babcock sighting in BUF today.

In Buffalo today...was in Toronto yesterday and is heading to Prague tomorrow where there are GM's from all teams interested beyond those 2 apparently.

Chiarelli has made an offer to McClellan and it sounds like a done deal according to another team interested in him

....all according to Friedman.

[Walter Reed]

Originally Posted by transplant99

In Buffalo today...was in Toronto yesterday and is heading to Prague tomorrow where there are GM's from all teams interested beyond those 2 apparently.

Chiarelli has made an offer to McClellan and it sounds like a done deal according to another team interested in him

....all according to Friedman.

Hmmmm, ..... interesting

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Walter Reed

Hmmmm, ..... interesting

he was on FAN960 earlier today (5ish?) with Ryan Pinder ....960 has been live for about 4 hours already....man those guys work some crazy hours this time of year.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by transplant99

In Buffalo today...was in Toronto yesterday and is heading to Prague tomorrow where there are GM's from all teams interested beyond those 2 apparently.

Chiarelli has made an offer to McClellan and it sounds like a done deal according to another team interested in him

....all according to Friedman.

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I can't begin to imagine how great it would be to arrive there after being in Detroit, Toronto and Buffalo.

[Walter Reed]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I can't begin to imagine how great it would be to arrive there after being in Detroit, Toronto and Buffalo.

Agreed. Had my 1st opportunity to visit Prague last June. I absolutely loved the city, hope I can revisit it again soon.

[sureLoss]

According to Friedman only 2 teams are believed to have asked for permission to talk to Babcock so far, Toronto and Buffalo.

If that is the case, gotta think return to Detroit has a good chance

Babcock expected to make a decision by May 20th.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

According to Friedman only 2 teams are believed to have asked for permission to talk to Babcock so far, Toronto and Buffalo.

If that is the case, gotta think return to Detroit has a good chance

Babcock expected to make a decision by May 20th.

I'm really surprised that the interest was so tepid. Possibly teams were a little put off by the rumoured asking price and amount of power he may be expecting? Really surprised the Oilers never even asked. McLellan is a good coach but he's a tier or two below Babcock.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I'm really surprised that the interest was so tepid. Possibly teams were a little put off by the rumoured asking price and amount of power he may be expecting? Really surprised the Oilers never even asked. McLellan is a good coach but he's a tier or two below Babcock.

One of the guys on the Fan (Friedman I think but don't remember for sure) was saying that there were some folks in the NHL that weren't happy with how it was being handled - too much of a side show. So maybe some teams just decided to bow out rather than take part.

[sureLoss]

It is also quite possible that a lot of teams don't really think he is moving on or that there is a low chance that he actually comes to them. Don't see a reason to extend an offer because they figure he will just use it get more money out of whatever team he ends up with setting a new bar for coaching salaries.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

According to Friedman only 2 teams are believed to have asked for permission to talk to Babcock so far, Toronto and Buffalo.

If that is the case, gotta think return to Detroit has a good chance

Babcock expected to make a decision by May 20th.

You have to think more teams will throw their hats in the ring once his contract officially expires and it will not cost them a 3rd round pick.

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

You have to think more teams will throw their hats in the ring once his contract officially expires and it will not cost them a 3rd round pick.

I think any team in need of a coach wouldn't think twice to get Babcock for a 3rd round pick. They won't have that option though as Babcock will be making a decision in the next couple days. I think SureLoss is right - teams are likely aware he's staying and had "informal" talk with either Holland or Babcock and they were realized it wasn't even worth it to bother.

[BigTuna]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

You have to think more teams will throw their hats in the ring once his contract officially expires and it will not cost them a 3rd round pick.

He's making his decision by next week. He'll be signed by then.

[Northendzone]

Steve Simmons suggested in a recent column that bans is returning back to Detroit........start slagging on Simmons in 3.....2......

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Steve Simmons suggested in a recent column that bans is returning back to Detroit........start slagging on Simmons in 3.....2......

He's probably right but I hope he goes to Buffalo just because that'll mean he chose Buffalo over Toronto. Toronto media would be up in arms.

[sureLoss]

Pierre LeBrun @Real_ESPNLeBrun
San Jose Sharks scheduled to speak with Mike Babcock this week. Expectation is Babcock still wants to decide his future by Wednesday

[Canada 02]

The Blues are reported to have talked to him as well