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Post by seventeen on Apr 30, 2015 11:56:12 GMT -5
I thought I'd start this thread as there will likely be a number of changes this year in the coaching ranks, with more than a few very good coaches, (often victimized by a low level of goaltending) changing teams. McLellan is already available, Babcock will be, Hitchcock might (how do last names with male roosters come about? Let me rephrase that. How did they originate? Chicken farmers at one time? I digress). Tippett may also be available and there are a number of up and comers being considered as well.
In a press conference today, Babcock said he wouldn't talk about his own future, but did comment on the Wings' future. Lots of good players coming up, but no one to replace Datsyuk (yes, he said that, well verbatim it was "who's going to replace Pav?", but that's the same thing). He sees the writing on the wall for SC opportunities in Detroit. I think I got this right (Detroit's future), but I predicted it about 5 years ago....way too early. Lesson learned. As in other things in life, inertia carries the best and the worst for longer than you'd think. Kronwall is 34, Zetterberg 35 and Datsyuk 37. Datsyuk is still amazing, but wow, 37. Babcock obviously feels you need an elite player to win the Cup, and that will likely play a large role in his decision as to where to coach. Any predictions? One tweet suggested LA.
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Post by blny on Apr 30, 2015 12:08:05 GMT -5
Good idea. this is where the hottest 'free agent' moves will be.
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Post by BadCompany on Apr 30, 2015 12:43:31 GMT -5
I don't know if he would want to go there, but it's all set up for Babcock to be a hero in Edmonton, just like it is for Chiarelli. Lots of talent there, obviously, with more to come. If Chiarelli can flip one of those kids for say a goalie and a veteran defenseman or two, then Babcock will look like a genius, what with how quickly they'll become good again.
Eberle for Cam Talbot and Marc Staal? Then sign Paul Martin and/or Johnny Oduya? Have Babcock FINALLY throw a little structure into their game? They'd be relevant really quick, and everybody would be singing Babcock's praises...
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 30, 2015 12:54:34 GMT -5
I don't know if he would want to go there, but it's all set up for Babcock to be a hero in Edmonton, just like it is for Chiarelli. Lots of talent there, obviously, with more to come. If Chiarelli can flip one of those kids for say a goalie and a veteran defenseman or two, then Babcock will look like a genius, what with how quickly they'll become good again. Eberle for Cam Talbot and Marc Staal? Then sign Paul Martin and/or Johnny Oduya? Have Babcock FINALLY throw a little structure into their game? They'd be relevant really quick, and everybody would be singing Babcock's praises... It'd be like Pollock landing Bowman….although they'd gone back years in the Habs' organization before joining up again in 1971-72. I also thought Hitchcock might get a shot in Edmonton, if he's let go in St. Louis. But, yep…Babcock would be a no-brainer for the Oilers. And he'd be silly to turn them down. Perfect timing. He could finish his career there with all that star-power still in its development. McDavid and Babcock. Lafleur and Bowman. |
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Post by Polarice on Apr 30, 2015 12:59:21 GMT -5
I don't know if he would want to go there, but it's all set up for Babcock to be a hero in Edmonton, just like it is for Chiarelli. Lots of talent there, obviously, with more to come. If Chiarelli can flip one of those kids for say a goalie and a veteran defenseman or two, then Babcock will look like a genius, what with how quickly they'll become good again. Eberle for Cam Talbot and Marc Staal? Then sign Paul Martin and/or Johnny Oduya? Have Babcock FINALLY throw a little structure into their game? They'd be relevant really quick, and everybody would be singing Babcock's praises... It'd be like Pollock landing Bowman….although they'd gone back years in the Habs' organization before joining up again in 1971-72. I also thought Hitchcock might get a shot in Edmonton, if he's let go in St. Louis. But, yep…Babcock would be a no-brainer for the Oilers. And he'd be silly to turn them down. Perfect timing. He could finish his career there with all that star-power still in its development. McDavid and Babcock. Lafleur and Bowman. Babcock would be a great fit here in Edmonton.....I think if he leaves Detroit it will be to Edmonton. |
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Post by seventeen on Apr 30, 2015 14:18:49 GMT -5
Todd McLellan is a pretty good coach too. Once again, he's never had the kind of goaltending you need to be successful in the playoffs. It's been great at times and not up to snuff at others. But he's a good coach, so it really poses a dilemma for those teams who absolutely need an excellent coach, but might miss out on Babcock. Do you go for McLellan right now or aim for Babcock, and then compete with all the teams that miss out on him, for McLellan? Or do you race to the front and hope to sign McLellan first?
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Post by Polarice on Apr 30, 2015 14:28:37 GMT -5
I think Edmonton waits for Babcock....they have the team canada connection going and probably the inside track if he is planning on leaving.
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Post by franko on Apr 30, 2015 14:58:25 GMT -5
the UFA market is a lot more interesting for coaches than players this year . . . Babcock is signed until July first so that will be an interesting day if he isn't extended.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Apr 30, 2015 15:21:55 GMT -5
I don't know why Babcock would want to leave Detroit ... then I read Dave Hodge's comments earlier today ... might be Hodge is looking too deep into it, but it plants seeds of doubt ... Thumbs down to Babcock's words, up to Conn men
By Dave HodgeThumbs down to Mike Babcock for his "Detroit wasn't good enough and isn't getting any younger" comments that followed the Red Wings' elimination at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Quite simply, they were out of place, and could easily be called self-serving. Was it Babcock's way of explaining his imminent departure from Detroit? It's hard to imagine any other reason he would pass judgment on the Wings' future immediately after a tough loss. Never mind that he analyzed the situation correctly, it is for others to do that, just as Babcock preferred while the matter of his own future lingered all season. Indeed, he will leave the Detroit assessment to the media if he goes elsewhere, because he'll be too busy explaining how excited he is to join his new team. If he winds up signing another contract to coach the Red Wings, won't he have to disown the pessimism that he served up for Detroit fans and players last night? Or was it all a big smokescreen? See thumbs down ...Cheers. |
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Post by Polarice on Apr 30, 2015 15:33:30 GMT -5
I think Babcock is a little pissed that Detroit hadn't offered up an extension last summer. I believe that his agent has been testing the waters all season long with some of the teams seeing what kind of $ they would be offering up. Where there is smoke there is fire when its been coming to all the rumors all season long.
I think in order for Detroit to keep him, if they want him, they will have to overpay.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Apr 30, 2015 16:07:27 GMT -5
I haven't seen the Sharks a lot this year but there were a couple of seasons where I thought they'd be in the final, but they always found a way to implode ... as an outsider looking in, I don't think it was McLellan as much as it was a lack of commitment by some of his leaders ... Marleau generated a lot of interest from Habs bloggers (I might have been one of them; don't remember) but I'm okay with none of that talk coming to fruition ... Joe Thornton might have been that big centre we were looking for, but both him and Marleau had the reps of not being effective in the playoffs ... Babcock to Edmonton would work ... it would piss me off, but it would work ... the Oilers play well against us as it is now ... it's too bad the Red Wings are out so soon ... I guess the TO media can start devoting time to the Babcock-to-Toronto angle ... hope it's not a bigger story than the playoffs ... I can see the 2nd-period panel going over all kinds of scenarios with this ... Toronto might have an easier time going after Dallas Eakins ... he already knows the prospects in the system (the ones still left with the team) ... wonder if Paul MacLean will end up in Detroit should Babcock leave ... or if Bab's goes to Edmonton will he try to bring in MacLean the way he did in Anaheim and Detroit ... Babcock, MacLean, McLellan, Eakins ... anyone else looking for work ...
Cheers.
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Post by Polarice on Apr 30, 2015 17:17:33 GMT -5
I haven't seen the Sharks a lot this year but there were a couple of seasons where I thought they'd be in the final, but they always found a way to implode ... as an outsider looking in, I don't think it was McLellan as much as it was a lack of commitment by some of his leaders ... Marleau generated a lot of interest from Habs bloggers (I might have been one of them; don't remember) but I'm okay with none of that talk coming to fruition ... Joe Thornton might have been that big centre we were looking for, but both him and Marleau had the reps of not being effective in the playoffs ... Babcock to Edmonton would work ... it would piss me off, but it would work ... the Oilers play well against us as it is now ... it's too bad the Red Wings are out so soon ... I guess the TO media can start devoting time to the Babcock-to-Toronto angle ... hope it's not a bigger story than the playoffs ... I can see the 2nd-period panel going over all kinds of scenarios with this ... Toronto might have an easier time going after Dallas Eakins ... he already knows the prospects in the system (the ones still left with the team) ... wonder if Paul MacLean will end up in Detroit should Babcock leave ... or if Bab's goes to Edmonton will he try to bring in MacLean the way he did in Anaheim and Detroit ... Babcock, MacLean, McLellan, Eakins ... anyone else looking for work ... Cheers. Depends on who gets axed after this next round....I think once Boston gets settled that we'll see Jullin get let go, he maybe a good fit for the Sharks. |
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 30, 2015 17:51:38 GMT -5
... Babcock, MacLean, McLellan, Eakins ... anyone else looking for work ... Cheers. Ted Nolan. Now there's a question. Let's say Babcock goes to Edmonton. Could it be reasoned that he'd have gone to Buffalo had the Sabres won the lottery? Less of a set-up than in Edmonton....but still....would've been interesting. Cue another depressed PC from Buffalo's GM. "WE should've had McDavid AND Babcock..."Cherry will likely be gunning for the Leafs to hire Nolan. I don't know if McLellan would want the Leafs' 5-year headache plan. He had a tough enough time succeeding with the Sharks. But I bet Nolan would take it on. |
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Post by Skilly on Apr 30, 2015 19:01:19 GMT -5
I don't get the Babcock hoopla ... He's a coach, granted probably a good coach, but since expansion only one coach (Scotty Bowman) has won a Stanley Cup with more than one organization. There have been gaggles of great coaches who were thought to be saviours. None have repeated the magic. None.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 8, 2015 12:07:29 GMT -5
Didn't want to open another thread for this one ... looks as if Mike Babcock is clear to talk to other teams ... TSN refers ... doesn't mean he's leaving Detroit but he's in that window now ... Cheers. |
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Post by jkr on May 9, 2015 7:03:50 GMT -5
Was listening to Bob McCown on the FAN590 last night. He believes Babcock is after a 5x5 deal & Detroit has decided to let him test the market.
That brought up some interesting discussion although this was the call-in show. One fan called in and started discussing Chicago as a destination. The source of the rumor, the caller said, was Doug McLean I think. Apparently the Bowmans are unhappy with Quenneville & the way he runs the team & the discontent is mutual. Hard to believe with all the success they have had. It doesn't fit in to Babcock's timeline though (the end of May) as the Hawks are likely to still be playing.
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Post by blny on May 9, 2015 13:31:29 GMT -5
I can't believe Joe Q would be out in Chicago.
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Post by jkr on May 10, 2015 17:37:26 GMT -5
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Post by jkr on May 11, 2015 7:17:31 GMT -5
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 11, 2015 9:13:25 GMT -5
I was mentioning this very thing to my neighbour (Detroit fan) yesterday ... I'm really hoping the "Babcock-schmoozing-tour" doesn't take away from the playoffs ... the only similar thing I can think of was when Gretzky played the "I'm-not-sure-if-I'll-retire" card only minutes after he and the Kings lost the Cup to Montreal in '93 ... I've got the VHS tapes from '93 (of all things) and I thought he really tried to steal the show ... he didn't seem all that disappointed in losing Cup, oddly enough ... on the other hand, Babcock going somewhere else is newsworthy ... just the timing sucks ... Cheers. |
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Post by franko on May 18, 2015 12:32:37 GMT -5
now . . . if they could only figure out that they need a goalie . . .
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Post by jkr on May 18, 2015 12:45:04 GMT -5
now . . . if they could only figure out that they need a goalie . . . At 1st glance I thought it was Babcock. Maybe that's what the Flyers thought.  |
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Post by blny on May 18, 2015 12:50:29 GMT -5
Hakstol, Hextall ...
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Post by Lord Bebop on May 18, 2015 16:23:26 GMT -5
Looks like it's official and Todd McLellan is the new coach of Edmonton.... Love these moves by the Oilers
I wonder where Babcock will land....the Flyers where the experts pick and I was hoping he would give Edmonton a chance.... Detroit is the likeliest I guess.. Or was it always Detroit??just a negotiating tactic??
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Post by franko on May 18, 2015 17:16:21 GMT -5
Babcock's window for extortion is closing
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Post by seventeen on May 19, 2015 0:43:40 GMT -5
Maybe we can trade Mark McMillan to the Flyers for Giroux? Hakstol coached Mark for 4 years and knows him well.
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Post by CentreHice on May 20, 2015 9:03:51 GMT -5
Just heard Dreger say that the Sabres pulling out all the stops for Babcock.
Likely offering a 6-year term at $5 million per.
Considering he was making $2 million in Detroit…and has already won a Stanley Cup…..he'd be silly to turn that down
Wonder if Detroit would match that. Babcock will make his decision today.
And, if this deal comes to fruition, will the Sabres have raised the salary bar for all NHL coaches?
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Post by CentreHice on May 20, 2015 11:50:14 GMT -5
Bob McKenzie tweeted that Buffalo is OUT on Babcock.
Aaron Ward tweets that Babcock will not return to Detroit.
He might just end up with the Leafs….
San Jose or St. Louis maybe?
Interesting times.
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Post by franko on May 20, 2015 11:54:50 GMT -5
Bob McKenzie tweeted that Buffalo is OUT on Babcock. Aaron Ward tweets that Babcock will not return to Detroit. He might just end up with the Leafs…. San Jose or St. Louis maybe? Interesting times. St. Lo would be the team with a "near future", no? SJ getting long in the tooth, and Toronto . . . well other than the fact that EVERYONE wants to go there is a huge challenge/long term end game. interesting times indeed. |
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Post by CentreHice on May 20, 2015 11:57:22 GMT -5
He's already won his Stanley Cup. Sure he says he wants to win….but why not drive up the bidding war and cash in?
If Babcock ends up with the Blues….I could see Hitchcock signing with the Leafs. That's IF he wants to win.
The Leafs have all kinds of money….and they like throwing it around and giving away the keys to the city.
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