Earlier this week the Buffalo Sabers met with Detroit Red Wings Head Coach Mike Babcock. Detroit has given Babcock permission to interview for other NHL jobs even though he is under contract with Detroit. Buffalo has an opening since they fired Tom Nolan last month. Is this a team Babcock should consider coaching?
The reason the Sabers have an interest in Babcock is that the General Manager of the Sabers, Tim Murray worked with him in Anaheim. Babcock was the Head Coach for the Ducks from 2002 to 2004. They both can work with each other.
This isn’t a job he should be thinking of taking. The Sabers haven’t made the playoffs since 2011 when they lost in the Conference Quarterfinals in seven games to the Flyers. Since 2011, the best year they had was in 2012 when they were 39-32-11. They missed the playoffs by three points. The last two years they have been last in the Eastern Conference. If Babcock takes the job, it’s going to be a big rebuilding job to coach them to the playoffs.
There is a much better opening in the NHL. Babcock should take the San Jose Sharks job if it’s offered to him. They are a talented team that could go far in the playoffs. These players include Logan Couture, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton, Scott Hannan, and goaltender Antti Niemi . He wouldn’t need to rebuild the team because they are in position to win now.
The place he should stay is Detroit. He has coached Detroit to the playoffs the last ten seasons, including a Stanley Cup win in 2009. His 458 regular season wins with the Red Wings are the most among NHL coaches since the start of the 2005-2006 season. His contract is up on June 30th. Detroit is interested in signing him to a long-term contract.
Other teams who may interview Babcock include the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, and the New Jersey Devils. If any of these teams agree to a contract with Mike Babcock, they will have to give Detroit, one third-round pick within the next three years as compensation.
Where should Mike Babcock coach next season?
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