Detroit Red Wings give Babcock Permission to Talk to Other Teams
Nov 22, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock on the bench against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Detroit 4-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Red Wings have given coach Mike Babcock the permission to talk to other teams.
Does this mean good or bad news for the Detroit Red Wings in terms of them keeping Babcock as their head coach next season. He is under contract with the team until June 30th, so while no other team could sign him, this now allows other teams to talk to him.
Babcock told the Detroit Free Press that his choice hasn’t been made and seemed to be hinting that if he doesn’t find some place that sweeps him off his feet, he could be resigning with Detroit. Babcock saying, “There is no decision made at all. We really like it here.
“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.”
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.”
He also noted that he just wanted to test the market out. Saying “I just felt, after 10 years, the opportunity was out there. I’m going to ride this process out.” He also said he was “thrilled” that Detroit wanted him back at the helm of the Red Wings.
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So should we worry? Honestly, I’m not fully sure. It depends on if you want Babcock back for the next season. If you do, this should worry you a little because there could be a team that does sweep him off his feet and he goes and signs there. If you don’t want him to resign with the team or don’t care, I guess you would care that much if someone impresses him.
Yet, let’s say you are in the first group, you want Babcock to resign with the team. Which teams should worry you when it comes to who wants Babcock? Toronto has been one if not the biggest known teams that want Babcock on their bench. After last season for them, you can’t really blame him.
Detroit Red Wings
Toronto gives Babcock the chance to coach in his home country, it gives him the chance to have basically a whole different team to work with, most importantly it gives him something new to do. He has the chance to take the Maple Leafs and make them good again. A team that from the outside looking in, looks highly dysfunctional, Babcock could help them shape up into a good team.
However, if you were a coach looking into a new place to go coach, would Toronto be the place you want to go? The media there is crazier than most. The team is basically a wreck that seems like needs a lot of off-season work. At least with the Red Wings you have people in the front office you can trust and know you aren’t totally at a lost.
So should fans worry? No probably not. Are you worried? Or do you want the team and Babcock to part ways? Let us know below and don’t forget to stay connected to Detroit Jock City for all your Detroit Red Wings news as the off-season continues on.