This is all a charade to squeeze a few more bucks out of Illitch and convince Holland to stay the course for a couple more runs with the current core group of players.

Babcock will remain in Detroit for 3 years and then revisit the Toronto option at that time.

Buffalo was never a serious contender mainly because of his wife's refusal to uproot the family to come to Western New York.

Time to move on to more realistic candidates for the job.

I hope we get Bylsma but am expecting Luke Richardson, who has been Murray's guy from day one.
- Losman

Do you have any proof of this? Or are you just talking out of your ass? Seriously provide proof before you start throwing that kind of stuff around.

Talent level StL? Don't see a Toews or Kopitar equivalent to get them over the top. Easy for us to be back seat drivers. Its even easier to pick a mediocre coach than one with a championship pedigree. Look at Paul Mclean, 8 year alumni of the Babcock system, excellent the first year, Jack Adams Coach of the Year second year, then fired after 3 1/2 years.
- freeman49

Ummm Tarasenko has blossomed into one of the best players in the league. He did better than both Toews and Kopitar in terms of points. So yes the Blues do have a Toews or Kopitar equivalent. Also add 3 of the best defensemen in the league in Bouwmeester, Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk, Statsny, Steen, Schwartz, Oshie and Backes. So ya there's HUGE talent level in St. Louis.