If Babcock was looking to stay in Detroit, he'd have taken $15-20 million for 5 years from Ilitch 9 months ago and this wouldn't have been a story throughout the season (or at this time).

Now, that's not to say he won't return to Detroit; but it's pretty clear to me he's become the Jaromir Jagr of NHL coaching. Whomever makes him the best offer.....whether it's from Detroit, Toronto, Pittsburgh, or Vladivostok.....will have themselves a new coach.
- wvuguy

I think he wants to see what his options are but I assume if Detroit matches the money he'll probably stay.

Unless he wants a new challenge, but I cant see him taking on a project/rebuild team.
- Number04

I think Babcock will go for the money, if a team throws out 5.5 or more a year. I am in no way calling him a sellout, but if someone is gonna go way overboard to buy you, he'll take it.

anyone whose name has the word cock in it was born to coach the d*ckless pens
- Flyfreaky

Guess they are getting ken hitchcock

There is no Babcock sweeps. Get a clue. He's going to resign in Detroit!
- Iloveeveryone

get a clue?? did you talk to him and he told you that was the plan?

I'd want to say nearly everyone lazy's out on that when doing PIM per game stats. This would be the only thing that all their majors and such benefit them, in having them not on the PK as much as it might seem. plus a ton of offsetting minors compared to other teams imo... but yeah, still bleh.
- Guile

Pitt is 4th worst for number of times shorthanded
Jets 300
CBJ 290
Det 281
Pit 273
....Flames have been shorthanded the least..182 times

get a clue?? did you talk to him and he told you that was the plan?
- SpoiledByOil

Guess they are getting ken hitchcock
- dothedougie

Babcock and Holland have butted heads on a handful of roster decisions so there's a good chance he leafs.
- Feds91Stammer

I just don't get the Babcock obsession.
He is an OK coach, nothing more and nothing less.
If you follow the Wings closely,
the decisions he makes 50% of the time are real head scratchers.
Latest one is letting Weiss and Zidlicky go 3rd and 4th in the shootout,
following Nyquist and Tatar in 1 game.
And similarly puzzling shootout personnel decisions in the following one.
The rumor even had it that he asked Mrazek about who should be shooting next.

- eichiefs9

Pitt is 4th worst for number of times shorthanded
Jets 300
CBJ 290
Det 281
Pit 273
....Flames have been shorthanded the least..182 times
- willi

The Penguins are at the top of the league in terms of PIM/gp

They average over 14 minutes of penalties every game.

PIT also:

-has 3rd most majors
-Leads the league in misconduct penalties, by a lot. 7 misconducts to be exact
-Leads the league in game misconducts, also
-2nd in the league in minor penalties
-2nd in the league in total penalties taken
-Leads the league in overall penalty minutes. 69 minutes more than the 2nd place team

If Babcock leaves I hope he takes Cleary, Ericsson and even Glendening with him to his new team.

I just don't get the Babcock obsession.
He is an OK coach, nothing more and nothing less.
If you follow the Wings closely,
the decisions he makes 50% of the time are real head scratchers.
Latest one is letting Weiss and Zidlicky go 3rd and 4th in the shootout,
following Nyquist and Tatar in 1 game.
And similarly puzzling shootout personnel decisions in the following one.
The rumor even had it that he asked Mrazek about who should be shooting next.
- StargateSG1

What about putting your 2 right handed cannons in Zids and Pulkkinen on the same PP unit.

Following the Penguins it's more noticeable that fleury wears down late in the season hence his horrendous post season performances, playing him on back to back days seems like an easy way to wear him out. Not playing him was the right call not being able to score is the real problem. If a goal isn't being set up directly by Malkin or Crosby the team will not score plain and simple nobody else is capable of generating any offense.

What about putting your 2 right handed cannons in Zids and Pulkkinen on the same PP unit.
- Feds91Stammer

Time to mix it up a bit.

I'm surprised that no one has yet to take Eklund to task for seemingly laying a portion of the blame on the Penguins "collapse" at MAF's feet in this article. To say that is beyond ludicrous doesn't do the statement justice. MAF has been their MVP all year. What he can't do for them is:
1. Score goals
2. Prevent injuries to the top 4 defensemen
3. Manage the cap to avoid having to play multiple games with only 5 defensemen.

The Penguins issue has not been allowing goals this year, it has been scoring them since Christmas onward. This is because since that time they have usually had some number of important players hurt. They just aren't a deep enough team anymore to sustain quality offensive attack when any of 87/71/58 or hurt on top of the fact that Dupuis and Maatta are out for the year to begin with. The same goes on defense. When you are missing 3 of your top 4 guys (3/10/58), you ask the remaining guys to play more minutes, and THEN force them to play with only 5 guys because your cap management is a disgrace, it IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

I do get where the article is coming from though, because the Flyers beat the Penguins twice in the past week, and the backhanded shadenfreud panders directly to Ek's core readership. So well done on that score.

Time to mix it up a bit.
- dothedougie

- Feds91Stammer

What about putting your 2 right handed cannons in Zids and Pulkkinen on the same PP unit.
- Feds91Stammer

And..
Having Kronner on the 1st PP unit, when the Power Play specialist was acquired.
Not giving Pulkinnen any 5 on 3 Power Play time
Not giving Smith any Power Play time at all
Not splitting Kronner and Ericsson all season long, no matter how much they screw up
Scratching Kindl after 2 goals game and 1G 1 A game.

The list is long.

And..
Having Kronner on the 1st PP unit, when the Power Play specialist was acquired.
Not giving Pulkinnen any 5 on 3 Power Play time
Not giving Smith any Power Play time at all
Not splitting Kronner and Ericsson all season long, no matter how much they screw up
Scratching Kindl after 2 goals game and 1G 1 A game.

The list is long.
- StargateSG1

Time to resign him for 10 years.

Time to resign him for 10 years.
- dothedougie

They just might.. :-)

They just might.. :-)
- StargateSG1

I think it would be kind of funny if the NHL could trade coaching staff like they do players.

I think it would be kind of funny if the NHL could trade coaching staff like they do players.
- dothedougie

I think you can do that in the NBA?

I think you can do that in the NBA?
- eichiefs9

Baseball and Football as well, you get compensation for coaches jumping ship if they are under contract still.

NHL has that, sort of in management. When Rick Dudley moved from the Leafs to the Canadiens, I think there was some sort of compensation.

Baseball and Football as well, you get compensation for coaches jumping ship if they are under contract still.

NHL has that, sort of in management. When Rick Dudley moved from the Leafs to the Canadiens, I think there was some sort of compensation.
- DDM-Coga

- Flyfreaky

Is that Adam FatMarsh