FauxMichBro

May 8th, 2015 at 12:38 PM ^

he's a great coach, but sometimes the players need to hear a different voice.  this franchise has been a little stagnant of late, so might not be the worst thing in the world if he goes elsewhere.  

Gucci Mane

May 8th, 2015 at 2:36 PM ^

A re build is not at all needed. All we need is some top end talent to replace what zetterberg and datsyuk used to be. It amazed me in the Lightning series how slow zetterberg has become and pavel is still very good but not the elite player he once was.

Hannibal.

May 8th, 2015 at 12:43 PM ^

My fear with him leaving is not that it will make Detroit worse as much as that it will make an opponent better.  In that event, I hope that he ends up in the West.  If he ends up in Toronto that will suck. 

Naked Bootlegger

May 8th, 2015 at 12:54 PM ^

Babcock has done a helluva job.  This may be premature lauding, but the way Tampa has chewed up Montreal illustrates the Babcock effect on a very young - and depleted - Wings roster.  He hasn't won as many Cups as Bowman, but he's done a remarkable job in the salary cap era.   Maybe Blashill is ready to step up to the big dance and lead this young Wings corps, but I will certainly miss the square-jawed Babcock behind the bench if the market is overly kind to him.

That's Just Kramer

May 8th, 2015 at 1:24 PM ^

I see nothing wrong with this. Detroit needs to give him a fair chance at deciding if he truly wants to stay in Detroit, this is the only way to do it. Either way, they’re in fully capable hands with Blashill if Babcock decides to leave.

Hotel Putingrad

May 8th, 2015 at 1:25 PM ^

but this sounds like he will give the Wings the opportunity to match his best offer elsewhere. our only competition at the moment would be Edmonton and Buffalo . He would not coach the Leafs for any amount of money. The Pens have not made a move with Johnston. He likes studs and winning. Oilers and Sabres will have the studs. but we will have the winning. It's more probable than not he comes back, as does McClellan.

Soulfire21

May 8th, 2015 at 1:51 PM ^

Not sure how I feel about it.  The franchise has stagnated over the past few years, but a new coach by no means guarantees success, in fact I think there may even be more risk there.

seksdesk

May 8th, 2015 at 4:14 PM ^

Most of the players on the team were not born when this playoff streak began, yet we have become so used to playing for the Stanley Cup for a quarter century that now when we lose to a great team in seven games in the first round we are "stagnating." 

It's not that I don't agree, but when I step back with perspective and look at how fortunate we Wings' fans have been, the exit is much easier to swallow.

Plus, the Griffs are effing loaded with young talent! Heading there tonight. 

SF Wolverine

May 8th, 2015 at 2:04 PM ^

This is the right way to do business, and at the end of this process, that will be a mark on the "stay here" side of the ledger.  Hard for me to see him going to the three-decade long tire fire in Toronto. If he really wants to win, I am not sure that Philly/Boston/Edmonton are really places that is more likely to happen than Detroit.

sdogg1m

May 8th, 2015 at 3:09 PM ^

You can't make a man stay that does not want to but Mike Babcock is not at all the reason why Detroit has had playoff woes as of late. The talent just hasn't been there particularly with the defense.

I have not been able to name one consistent offense player on the Wings during the playoffs except for Datsyuk.

DCGrad

May 8th, 2015 at 3:21 PM ^

McClellan, Blashill, Bylsma, Torts pretty much everyone who doesn't have a secured job right now. I'd give the nod to Blash as well but with no NHL experience that doesn't seem likely to happen

That's Just Kramer

May 8th, 2015 at 4:02 PM ^

"People can read it into it what they want," Babcock said. "There is no decision made at all. We really like it here. My family loves Detroit. It's way easier for my family to stay here, 100% easier. My kids are all going away, but they still want to come back to Detroit on Thanksgiving. They want to come back to Detroit in the summer to work out. So it's way easier for them."

Babcock said he requested the right to talk to other teams because "I just felt, after 10 years, the opportunity was out there. I'm going to ride this process out. I'm thrilled they want me back."
 

mtlcarcajou

May 8th, 2015 at 4:09 PM ^

in Montreal - many are disappointed we blew out TB last night, as there might have been an outside chance they'd fire Therrien and start talks with Babcock.

The rumours are still around but fading. Too bad, I'd love to see him take over the Habs (along with many others). With his McGill connection not absolutely outlandish. Grand old team stuck in neutral with a zero coach.

Unfortunately you know the Leafs are going to go all-in on him...Resist, Mike, resist the dark side...

Lou MacAdoo

May 8th, 2015 at 4:54 PM ^

It was just a couple weeks ago that some posters on here were adamant that he was going nowhere and anybody that thought he was is a fool. Are any of you backing off that opinion? The draft picks might keep him in Detroit at the end of it all, but Toronto might be crazy enough to go all in for him.

UofM Die Hard …

May 8th, 2015 at 6:50 PM ^

One side of me say, why the heck would he want to look elsewhere, arguably the best hockey franchise in history

 

Other side says, well maybe this is for the best?  

 

 

Not sure what to think. 

SWPro

May 8th, 2015 at 8:22 PM ^

First and foremost I want him to stay in Detroit, but if that can't happen I would love for him to end up in Edmonton.

 

He would be in the Western conference which is better for the Wings and I think he could transform Conner McDavid (who is already really special) into something totally incredible.

GoBlueBill

May 9th, 2015 at 2:32 AM ^

I dont think he will end up leaving. He will see that the grass isnt any greener anywhere else .

I would be ok if he did move on though . Blashill knows most of the players on the roster and he will have a good handle on the kids still in GR .

It seems to me Babcock likes to take a player try and fit his mold. That changes a player and takes away from their natural abilities (I.E. offensive skills).

A few players have improved and thrived- Abdelkader and Glendening . But some havent ( Jurco - Pulkinen.

I think the take away from the Lightning kicking Montreals ass is that the Red Wings were alot better than even Babcock thought they were talent wise . Makes me even madder that the Wings lost that series .