Ok I don't get this whole check on strong relationship with owner? They just met yesterday so let's dial it down a notch.

"Murray hired Babcock to be the head coach of the then Cincinnati Mighty Ducks."

is that true? lol

Translation: A man went on a job interview.

Translation: A man went on a job interview.
- jmatchett383

If this were Philly, then?

That's what I thought.

"Murray hired Babcock to be the head coach of the then Cincinnati Mighty Ducks."

is that true? lol
- rinaldo

Its not true, in 2002 Murray was director or player personnel. Babcock was hired in 2000 to coach Cincinnati. 2 years before Murray was with the Ducks. Fact checking helps sometimes lol.

If this were Philly, then?

That's what I thought.
- grand-magus

Were this Philly, the translation would change to "Man goes on another job interview."

Glad to know you already knew the answer before I even answered the question. You're the next John Edward.

Were this Philly, the translation would change to "Man goes on another job interview."

Glad to know you already knew the answer before I even answered the question. You're the next John Edward.
- jmatchett383

No.

Your Philly thread would turn into one drooling mess.

I doubt Babcock will base his decision on his chances of winning in Year 1.

The Sabres have as deep a prospect pool as any team in the league. Having Babcock on board would also improve the Sabres chances at competing for UFAs in July and convincing players to waive their NTCs to come to Buffalo.

I don't think it's all that far-fetched that Babcock will take the Buffalo job.

Having said that, at the end of the day I think he'll pass on the Queen City and Murray will get the green light to hire his pal Luke Richardson.
- Losman

Yeah having Babcock really helped the Wings with that with most taking less money to go somewhere else or not wanting to go to the Wings at all. Might have something to do with how Babcock treats the UFAs Holland has signed (not that they were great signings to begin with). Most of the UFAs and guys Holland traded for end up in Babcocks dog house pretty quick and get played out of position until they don't even get to play at all.

If Babcock leaves, it will be fun to watch how fans react when he takes a promising scoring prospect or offensive defenseman prospects and tries to turn them into a 3rd or 4th line grinder/stay at home defenseman and completely screws up the kids game. All this while taking a 4th line grinder or two and trying to turn them into top line scorers.

No.

Your Philly thread would turn into one drooling mess.
- grand-magus

the philadelphia, toronto and buffalo fan bases are delusional, no way Mrs Babcock allows her family to be uprooted from Detroit.

the philadelphia, toronto and buffalo fan bases are delusional, no way Mrs Babcock allows her family to be uprooted from Detroit.
- penguininnevada

Are you and Mrs. Babcock close?

Yeah having Babcock really helped the Wings with that with most taking less money to go somewhere else or not wanting to go to the Wings at all. Might have something to do with how Babcock treats the UFAs Holland has signed (not that they were great signings to begin with). Most of the UFAs and guys Holland traded for end up in Babcocks dog house pretty quick and get played out of position until they don't even get to play at all.

If Babcock leaves, it will be fun to watch how fans react when he takes a promising scoring prospect or offensive defenseman prospects and tries to turn them into a 3rd or 4th line grinder/stay at home defenseman and completely screws up the kids game. All this while taking a 4th line grinder or two and trying to turn them into top line scorers.
- dcz28

So, you're good with Babcock leaving, obviously.

So, you're good with Babcock leaving, obviously.
- grand-magus

yes, I think it's best for him and the Wings.

the philadelphia, toronto and buffalo fan bases are delusional, no way Mrs Babcock allows her family to be uprooted from Detroit.
- penguininnevada

Oh crap I had no idea you were BFFs with Mrs Babcock! Great job bro, keep wasting talent.

Its not true, in 2002 Murray was director or player personnel. Babcock was hired in 2000 to coach Cincinnati. 2 years before Murray was with the Ducks. Fact checking helps sometimes lol.
- Rmcfalls89

Yeah, it's been mentioned many times. Garth either doesn't read the comments or doesn't care. More likely both...

I didn't realize Myers was; seems crazy wpg made that trade then.
I guess it's not as blatant of a tank job then.
Trading one of your best dman with term plus more for a player that is injured? That clearly is a tank job. Good thing Myers was a ufa...
- edmhatescal

Wow! Just Wow! I can't believe any Oilers fan has the audacity of calling anybody else out on tanking. That's some set of balls you have.

Wow! Just Wow! I can't believe any Oilers fan has the audacity of calling anybody else out on tanking. That's some set of balls you have.

- sskkoo1

In his defense the oilers never openly cheered for the away team

In his defense the oilers never openly cheered for the away team
- Girouxsalem90

no team ever cheers for the opposing team

Everyone wants to be King of the Castle.

So, if I am Bobcock or a top ranked UFA, I am putting Edmonton on top of my possible destinations list.

Everyone wants to be King of the Castle.

So, if I am Bobcock or a top ranked UFA, I am putting Edmonton on top of my possible destinations list.
- spatso

Do you think that the success the young Oiler players are having under Mclellen in the worlds affect who they pursue??

Murray intentionally traded away any vets with value and then had the audacity of pinning the blame on Nolan's coaching style. You can drink the Tim Murray kool aid all you want but those are the facts.
- GreenBastard

The piece I would like to add to this discourse is Murray Brought in some vets on D especially who basically were unable to play at an nhl level. He gave them decent money perhaps all for show. I saw on a site where the Captain was specific in his point about the team bringing in non NHL caliber dmen while better player(s) were in the AHL. Yes the coach can take some heat for what transpired but we know you can not teach talent. While on their hot streak early in the season the Major League references were prevalent. Thank goodness that injuries to the suddenly frequent scoring second line of Gionta, Mitchell, and Flynn ended all that buzz. Have a great day everyone So if GMTM felt these guys were going to help us succeed in winning then he may not be as good a talent evaluator as we hoped.

The piece I would like to add to this discourse is Murray Brought in some vets on D especially who basically were unable to play at an nhl level. He gave them decent money perhaps all for show. I saw on a site where the Captain was specific in his point about the team bringing in non NHL caliber dmen while better player(s) were in the AHL. Yes the coach can take some heat for what transpired but we know you can not teach talent. While on their hot streak early in the season the Major League references were prevalent. Thank goodness that injuries to the suddenly frequent scoring second line of Gionta, Mitchell, and Flynn ended all that buzz. Have a great day everyone So if GMTM felt these guys were going to help us succeed in winning then he may not be as good a talent evaluator as we hoped.
- Dewey NH

If Gionta, Foligno, Mezaros, etc. had played all season like they did down the stretch the Sabres would have finished in the 25-27 range. Glad they didn't.

Again, where is the link showing where Murray "pinned" it on Nolan?

Murray traded away most of our pending UFA's with any value. Any GM of a team going nowhere and in their right mind would have done that. Let's not just skew it the way you see it.
- grand-magus

The org also gave Nolan a three-year parachute deal. It's not like he has to go work at McDonald's for being the sacrificial lamb.