Edmonton Oilers apparently not pursuing Detroit Red Wings’ Mike Babcock
By Joe Chapp
Apr 29, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock reacts against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Reports from CBC’s Hockey Night In Canada, Elliotte Friedman the Edmonton Oilers are pursuing Todd McLellan, a former assistant under Mike Babcock.
McLellan coached San Jose for seven years. McLellan is also a native of Saskatchewan just like Mike Babcock.
According to the Edmonton Star, the Oilers’ Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall think very highly of McLellan.
"“I’ve had him as my head coach for a long time and he has a really uncanny ability to demand respect but at the same time be very approachable.“He’s one of the smartest tacticians of all the guys out there in the game. I think he’s just a great coach. Whoever gets him is going to be lucky.”“I’ve been impressed,” said Eberle, who, like Hall, has played for Tom Renney, Ralph Krueger, Dallas Eakins, Craig MacTavish/Todd Nelson and Nelson in his five years as an Oiler."
The Edmonton Oilers have not commented, but Friedman reports “There was apparently a lengthy meeting today with Todd Nelson/Peter Chiarelli.”
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Many thought the Edmonton Oilers would be one of the favorites to land Mike Babcock, but Babcock has strict guidelines, again according to Friedman.
1) A Owner and GM he can work with
2) Team must have a plan to win
3) His family also has a say
Babcock was quick to say he has not made the decision whether he’d leave the Detroit Red Wings or not, but by judging by his guidelines especially #3 one would think, Babcock comes back to Detroit.
Now we have learned, according to Damien Cox of Sports Net, that Toronto is planning to meet with Mike Babcock and Todd McLellan.
There’s no surprise that Babcock will meet with Toronto, but the Maple Leafs can possibly offer more than Detroit would want to offer.
Maple Leafs management is pushing hard for a big name coach,but one would think that Babcock won’t be that excited about the Leafs.
For one, It’s a rebuilding team at this point Babcock going to Toronto is committed to the future and things could get rocky if things go South.
Brendan Shanahan is facing a difficult task with the leafts; he knows that Toronto is facing a major rebuild. How can he, along with the owners of the Maple Leafs, convince Babcock that Toronto is his best offer?
The Detroit Red Wings are waiting in limbo while their head coach gets wined and dined by other teams.
Detroit is facing a circumstance not common in the NHL. They have a coach who is one of the biggest story lines in the NHL — Babcock and the Red Wings (specifically Ken Holland) want this resolved soon.
The Detroit Red Wings reportedly extended Babcock two contract offers, according to Nick Kypreos of Sports Net, but Babcock still wanted to explore his opportunities, and who could blame him? Mike Babcock should relish this opportunity.
What the future will hold this week will be interesting for both parties.