yave1964 Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 How many coaches are capable of telling their GM that they are going to wait it out and not sign an extension, that they want to see how well the team performs and conversely how much the GM does to improve the team before he considers a new deal? Bowman was in a constant state of flux, though he is reviled in some quarters Keenan once had people lined up around the block for his services. Babcock and his messy divorce from the Ducks when he signed with the Wings comes to mind as well. And now it is looking more and more like Babcock is playing out his string in Detroit. Long rumored to have a certain amount of tension between Babs and Holland, Babs with a Cup and another final and last years nomination for coach of the year for squeezing a playoff appearance out of essentially an AHL squad and a few leftover pieces, and then throw in the two gold medals, well he may not have his likeness on the money in Canada if he picks a team up north but it wont be that far off. I think that barring a strange scenario he is gone after this year, Jeff Blashill of the Griffins has been groomed to take over the team,the whispers that he is coming to Toronto started as that and now they are becoming louder. As to his eventual landing spot? TORONTO would love to have him, my feelings are that the team is going to be better this year however, not incredibly so neccesarilly but better and Carlyle has a new deal in place, there is a good shot that he saves his job. In the states teams like Florida would love him as would the Yotes possibly, same with the Isles. I somehow feel he would hurt his brand by signing with a team like this however. My belief of where he will land is in the land of snow, far to the west, out in Edmonton. Yeah I know he is a Ontario boy and all, and the Leafs would be a homecoming but Edmonton makes so much sense, a young upcoming team with talent but no identity, I can see him looking at the choice between Kessel ( the biggest 100 foot player in the game today) JVR and Kadri, and then looking the Oilers over and seeing Hall, Eberle and RNH. If I were Babs I would be licking my chops and getting Mactavish on speed dial. I think he is one whale of a coach, easily the best the Wings had post Scotty, with apologies to the brilliant but unfortunate Dave Lewis. I wont be one of these guys who when he leaves starts ripping him and calling him overrated, whoever gets Babs is destined to get a hell of a coach. Dave Lewis. Talk about a guy born under a dark cloud. He is the Marcus Reno of the NHL. Sometime I need to write up a thing about him, including several of our notes back and forth. Just a great guy and a brilliant hockey mind. Way off topic, sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 @yave1964 I think Babs becomes a Leaf. The allure of being the guy to lead the Leafs to the promised land after decades and decades of futility....it's the ultimate challenge and Babcock craves that kind of action. The one big advantage that ultra rich teams like the Flyers and Leafs have is they can pay somebody 2 or 3 years at 5 mill a year to walk away. I have the feeling if Babcock became available, the Leafs would basically give him a blank cheque and send Caryle packing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WingNut722 Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 @yave1964 In a more bizarre imagination, I wonder if Mike Illitch is getting involved in this little tiff of Babcock versus Holland. I wonder if the gauntlet has yet been thrown down -- "If he stays, I go!" For the benefit if the Detroit Red Wings organization...who would you pick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted August 5, 2014 Author Share Posted August 5, 2014 @yave1964 In a more bizarre imagination, I wonder if Mike Illitch is getting involved in this little tiff of Babcock versus Holland. I wonder if the gauntlet has yet been thrown down -- "If he stays, I go!" For the benefit if the Detroit Red Wings organization...who would you pick?Gotta go with Babs on this one. He has been getting the most of the players Holland is handing him for years. Nothing against Blashill, i think he is a fine coach and will coach in the NHL soon, but i would rather lock up Babs and bring in new blood at GM. Like Yzerman or Nill. Oh wait......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 Don't sell the Pens short on this option... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadDevil Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 Don't sell the Pens short on this option...That was my first thought as well. Wouldn't surprise me at all if they're in on Babcock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 That was my first thought as well. Wouldn't surprise me at all if they're in on Babcock.There's a lot of talk that they hired Mike Johnston as a temporary fill in for Babcock's last contract year... But I dunno. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadDevil Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 There's a lot of talk that they hired Mike Johnston as a temporary fill in for Babcock's last contract year... But I dunno.I would imagine it depends on how the Pens do this year as well. If Johnston does a good job and has a good run, they can keep him. If not they can dump him and go hard after Babcock. I'm sure there will be plenty of teams interested in him. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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