OT - Babwatch 2015

Submitted by FormAFarkingWall on

Looks like a bidding war has ensued between Buffalo and Toronto, who appeared out of the running as late as yesterday.  Wings final offer is firm at 5 years, 20 million.  Buffalo and Toronto said to be in the 65 million total range, with 6.5/year thrown around. 

Safe to say that Babcock is likely gone at this point unless he REALLY loves Detroit. 

Moe

May 20th, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^

I was hoping that you misspelled your title and we were here to talk about babes.  Looks like Babs to Buffalo though.

sgtstrykergoblue

May 20th, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^

Good luck to him and thanks for all your work.Now bring in ol'boy from Grand Rapids 

LiveFromAA

May 20th, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^

Gotta imagine that he would have already announced if he was staying in Detroit, right? 

Blashill looks like the next in line as soon as the Griffins are done with the playoffs.

iPhone

May 20th, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^

It sucks to see him (likely) leave, but that is the way of sports. I wish more people would realize that we have not been losing early in the post season because of him; it has been because of inconsistent defense and goaltending.

mlax27

May 20th, 2015 at 12:09 PM ^

One thing I've heard is that with taxes so much higher in Canada, there is not much difference between the Detroit/Toronto offer.  I hope he sticks around though.   

Sac Fly

May 20th, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^

Toronto is a mess. Everything up to this point for them has been leading to a massive fire sale and they don't really have good prospect depth outside of Nylander.

It would be a huge mistake to leave Detroit and an even bigger mistake to pass on Buffalo to go to Toronto.

Doc Brown

May 20th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^

It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for Babcock to leave. Sometimes a fresh voice is needed to rally the troops. Babs is one of the best coaches in the world. However, his presence is affecting the ability to attract and retain top free agents. Blashil is a good coach. I hope we keep Babs, but I won't be devestated if he leaves.



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Hotel Putingrad

May 20th, 2015 at 12:17 PM ^

it's nice to be the best paid at your job. But you're just asking to be fired taking $60M from Toronto. But if Pegula is offering 50% more term and money than Illitch, I don't see how he can say no.

Don

May 20th, 2015 at 12:51 PM ^

I think going to Toronto has some upside for Babcock. Unfairly or not, he'll never be the coaching hero in Detroit that Bowman is. Toronto has gone the longest of all the Original Six without a Cup appearance, and If Babcock even made the Leafs competitive on a yearly basis he'd be coronated as a savior in Toronto.

Sac Fly

May 20th, 2015 at 1:02 PM ^

The problem with Toronto is that their media is rabid. They pick a scapegoat and eat him alive.

The best players on this team were essentially ran out of town before last season ended and now it's too late to take it back, leaving whoever takes the job starting from square 1. It's a complete from scratch rebuild.

Wolverine Devotee

May 20th, 2015 at 12:22 PM ^

Both First Team All-B1G selections, Glines and Benedetti are on with singles. One out.

Powderd Toast

May 20th, 2015 at 12:26 PM ^

If he truly is gone thaen that sucks, but isn't a game breaker for the wings. Blashill can step up and reunite with a lot of hius guys from Grand Rapids.

 

From an objective standpoint it's a great thing for the sport. This should help to close the gap between what NHL coaches and their other pro sport counterparts are paid.

AlCzerviksRide

May 20th, 2015 at 12:29 PM ^

and we have been spoiled here with a couple of our recent coaches.  But the "staleness" has been evident this year.  I mean, how many times can you get a bench minor for too many men on the ice? It was an every game issue, and it never got better.  

I will not be mad if he stays, nor will I cry if he goes.  Best of luck to him wherever he ends up.

youn2948

May 20th, 2015 at 12:47 PM ^

Having the wrong number of men on the field is a common issue in SE michigan lately.  It is a disease that needs a federal research grant to discover more about it before it spreads further.

I blame neither Hoke Nor Babcock for these occurances, clearly it's science.

/s

mgobaran

May 20th, 2015 at 12:47 PM ^

10 years is a long time to be a head coach of 1 team in the NHL. I don't even want Babs to sign back with the Wings for 5 seasons. I hope he takes another job. 

That being said, he is a great coach, and will be missed around these parts. I think Blashill will make us forget about Babs sooner than he deserves to be though.

flashOverride

May 20th, 2015 at 1:05 PM ^

I think he's a great strategist/game planner, but I sometimes wonder about him during the game. I realize no game is over until it's over, and opponents won't just roll over and die simply because they're losing, but man, there are few things harder on my heart than watching his teams with a lead, whether in a game or in a series. Lots of blown advantages over the years. Those, and the seemingly frequent "late starts" in regular season and even some playoff games have always been traits that have bothered me. That said, parting with someone that good is definitely a risk. Like many on this thread, I'll be neither crushed nor overjoyed if he goes.