thank u and i accept ur apology.
- wingz4life

Mike nice work!

I've got nothing but respect for how the Red Wings have been ran over the last several decades. It's insane to think that they're as consistently good as they are. And several Cups... man... only in my dreams. They're a shining example of how to run a pro sports team in any league, not just the NHL. Nothing but respect.

But Mike is right -- they seem to be on the downswing. The dearth of upcoming talent is surprisingly noticeable and I wouldn't blame Babcock for scooting out while he can. He's had a great amount of success, and he probably doesn't want to add "Wings coach that missed the playoffs for the first time in 25 years" to his resume.

That said, if he comes to Buffalo the team will improve. But he isn't guaranteed a playoff spot next season. If the Sabres want to punch their ticket to the dance as soon as the next season, he's their guy, but they'll have their work cut out for them. Everything I've seen on him points toward a tireless work ethic and the instillation of a strict system. Is this roster ready to buy into that? Are they mentally prepared for what that would require of them? Is the front office willing to ship out problem players? Make big moves to bring in missing pieces? It would be a huge shift in every way. It's possible, but I'd bet there would be some growing pains. You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs, though.

Wherever Babcock ends up, I'm sure it will be in the place he feels he has the best shot to win it all. Just got my fingers crossed for Buffalo, that's all.

I see Hodgeson as the least likely on the team today to be there next season and Grigorenko as the next least likely.
- JVince11

Hodgson would be a great player for Toronto to acquire. He will definitely help them get to 30th place...

I've got nothing but respect for how the Red Wings have been ran over the last several decades. It's insane to think that they're as consistently good as they are. And several Cups... man... only in my dreams. They're a shining example of how to run a pro sports team in any league, not just the NHL. Nothing but respect.

But Mike is right -- they seem to be on the downswing. The dearth of upcoming talent is surprisingly noticeable and I wouldn't blame Babcock for scooting out while he can. He's had a great amount of success, and he probably doesn't want to add "Wings coach that missed the playoffs for the first time in 25 years" to his resume.

That said, if he comes to Buffalo the team will improve. But he isn't guaranteed a playoff spot next season. If the Sabres want to punch their ticket to the dance as soon as the next season, he's their guy, but they'll have their work cut out for them. Everything I've seen on him points toward a tireless work ethic and the instillation of a strict system. Is this roster ready to buy into that? Are they mentally prepared for what that would require of them? Is the front office willing to ship out problem players? Make big moves to bring in missing pieces? It would be a huge shift in every way. It's possible, but I'd bet there would be some growing pains. You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs, though.

Wherever Babcock ends up, I'm sure it will be in the place he feels he has the best shot to win it all. Just got my fingers crossed for Buffalo, that's all.
- OnPoint

Think of what Detroit was when Babcock took over... I think that next year the playoffs are a long shot but not out of the question. I think that the following year, they should be very easily attainable as a goal.

As far as players here who are problematic... I don't know who besides maybe Hodgson or Grigorenko. Possibly Kane if you want to count rumors.

Gionta, Gorges, Moulson, Ennis, Girgensons, etc seem like pretty good leaders to me.

http://sabres.buffalonews.com/2015/05/19/sabres-money-should-trump-babcocks-love-of-detroit-coaching-source-says/

Done Deal?
- Punch70

Noooooo...

Methinks there have been a bunch of posts deleted. I apparently took a walk at the wrong time.

I was enjoying reading this blog until I got to the part about Datsyuk and Zetterberg replacing Yzerman, FRANSON, and Lidstrom. Come on now :|

Good luck to Buffalo fans if you get Babs, he can sometimes be stifling for younger players, but he's a great coach. Wings are pretty much in a win/win, we either get Babs, or we get to promote Jeff Blashill, probably the best coach in the AHL and soon to be one of the best new coaches in the NHL. Should be a fun 24 hours.

Hodgson would be a great player for Toronto to acquire. He will definitely help them get to 30th place...
- mattsox

I don't know if I see us as trade partners with them.

I can more so see him going to a Nashville, Anaheim, Dallas, Florida, NJD, or SJ type setup.

I've got nothing but respect for how the Red Wings have been ran over the last several decades. It's insane to think that they're as consistently good as they are. And several Cups... man... only in my dreams. They're a shining example of how to run a pro sports team in any league, not just the NHL. Nothing but respect.

But Mike is right -- they seem to be on the downswing. The dearth of upcoming talent is surprisingly noticeable and I wouldn't blame Babcock for scooting out while he can. He's had a great amount of success, and he probably doesn't want to add "Wings coach that missed the playoffs for the first time in 25 years" to his resume.

That said, if he comes to Buffalo the team will improve. But he isn't guaranteed a playoff spot next season. If the Sabres want to punch their ticket to the dance as soon as the next season, he's their guy, but they'll have their work cut out for them. Everything I've seen on him points toward a tireless work ethic and the instillation of a strict system. Is this roster ready to buy into that? Are they mentally prepared for what that would require of them? Is the front office willing to ship out problem players? Make big moves to bring in missing pieces? It would be a huge shift in every way. It's possible, but I'd bet there would be some growing pains. You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs, though.

Wherever Babcock ends up, I'm sure it will be in the place he feels he has the best shot to win it all. Just got my fingers crossed for Buffalo, that's all.
- OnPoint

Wings are not on the downswing. They've got a lot coming, prospect wise. Pretty sure hockey futures has them listed as the 4th best group. We don't get the high picks like Buffalo, but we draft and develop young talent better than anyone else in the league.

I was enjoying reading this blog until I got to the part about Datsyuk and Zetterberg replacing Yzerman, FRANSON, and Lidstrom. Come on now :|

Good luck to Buffalo fans if you get Babs, he can sometimes be stifling for younger players, but he's a great coach. Wings are pretty much in a win/win, we either get Babs, or we get to promote Jeff Blashill, probably the best coach in the AHL and soon to be one of the best new coaches in the NHL. Should be a fun 24 hours.
- nova2112

Why does everyone kick a guy when he might be heading out??? I don't get it.

He has done amazing things for the Detroit organization and brought them to levels they have never been to before. He has been an amazing talent developer of players taken especially in the later rounds over the years. He has high expectations of his players and they always seem to gravitate towards him and not becoming issues in the locker room.

Think of what Detroit was when Babcock took over... I think that next year the playoffs are a long shot but not out of the question. I think that the following year, they should be very easily attainable as a goal.

As far as players here who are problematic... I don't know who besides maybe Hodgson or Grigorenko. Possibly Kane if you want to count rumors.

Gionta, Gorges, Moulson, Ennis, Girgensons, etc seem like pretty good leaders to me.
- JVince11

I mean, Hodgson has to go. He's a Regier guy thick and through in terms of his makeup. I don't think he fits this mold at all.

However, my point wasn't to say that there are problematic players. It's more along the lines of system acceptance. They're coming off a terrible season, where it seemed players phoned in their performance more than a few nights. I know they're professionals, but it could be hard for some of them to snap right back into a higher level grind. Babcock isn't going to take kindly to people who take a night off, much less a shift or two. The whole lifestyle mindset, from game time all the way down to practice, and likely their diets and day-to-day routines -- it's all going to change for them. It could be a tough transition, is all I'm saying.

I have a lot of hope for this roster. I feel like in the right hands they're in a spot to make a run at the 7th or 8th seed.

AP Source: Mike Babcock in contract talks with Buffalo Sabres

AP Sports ‏@AP_Sports 4m4 minutes ago
AP Source: Mike Babcock in contract talks with Buffalo Sabres http://apne.ws/1edUUvE (@john_wawrow)

Apparently TM was on phone with Babs and agent today for contract talks around noon. Solid!

AP Source: Mike Babcock in contract talks with Buffalo Sabres
- metzeric

From John Wawrow.....Hope this is accurate!!! Would make me feel better about my 6% season ticket price hike....and Eichel too!!!!

Why does everyone kick a guy when he might be heading out??? I don't get it.

He has done amazing things for the Detroit organization and brought them to levels they have never been to before. He has been an amazing talent developer of players taken especially in the later rounds over the years. He has high expectations of his players and they always seem to gravitate towards him and not becoming issues in the locker room.
- JVince11

What?

1. I'm not kicking him, I said it's a win/win.
2. Babs does not develop talent, he coaches in the NHL.
3. Brought them to levels they'd never been to before? Lol, get real.

Why does everyone kick a guy when he might be heading out??? I don't get it.

He has done amazing things for the Detroit organization and brought them to levels they have never been to before. He has been an amazing talent developer of players taken especially in the later rounds over the years. He has high expectations of his players and they always seem to gravitate towards him and not becoming issues in the locker room.
- JVince11

What?

1. I'm not kicking him, I said it's a win/win.
2. Babs does not develop talent, he coaches in the NHL.
3. Brought them to levels they'd never been to before? Lol, get real.

Apparently TM was on phone with Babs and agent today for contract talks around noon. Solid!
- Beezer33

Why would TM be on the phone? Its not his money, it's TPegs money. I'd say this is above TM and up to TP and the contract guys.

Noooooo...
- Homer

Very soon then?

Methinks there have been a bunch of posts deleted. I apparently took a walk at the wrong time.
- HonkFortheGoose

Red Wings fan a known troll came in and started ripping Mike and his blog a few people told him to take a hike in a not so nice way...

Wings are not on the downswing. They've got a lot coming, prospect wise. Pretty sure hockey futures has them listed as the 4th best group. We don't get the high picks like Buffalo, but we draft and develop young talent better than anyone else in the league.
- nova2112

I don't mean to imply that the organization is heading for a crash-and-burn rebuild. It would be a strange world where Detroit isn't in the mix -- that's why I was sad to hear they were joining the same division as the Sabres despite always liking them. I just wonder if the whole "winning too much" idea will bring them more toward the middle of the pack in the coming years.

I mean, Hodgson has to go. He's a Regier guy thick and through in terms of his makeup. I don't think he fits this mold at all.

However, my point wasn't to say that there are problematic players. It's more along the lines of system acceptance. They're coming off a terrible season, where it seemed players phoned in their performance more than a few nights. I know they're professionals, but it could be hard for some of them to snap right back into a higher level grind. Babcock isn't going to take kindly to people who take a night off, much less a shift or two. The whole lifestyle mindset, from game time all the way down to practice, and likely their diets and day-to-day routines -- it's all going to change for them. It could be a tough transition, is all I'm saying.

I have a lot of hope for this roster. I feel like in the right hands they're in a spot to make a run at the 7th or 8th seed.
- OnPoint

I honestly think that adding Kane, Eichel, and Reinhart to our line-up makes it very potent. Look at what Ennis is doing with top level talent and then add in Girgensons and Moulson. I mean. It is a very solid group up there.

our D will very solid as well with Bogo and Gorges being minute eaters. Add in the young bucks of Risto, Zadarov, Pysyk, and McCabe/Ruhwedel. A solid bottom line guy in Weber who blocks a ton of shots.

Goalie is the biggest thing... there is NO WAY in hell we come close to the playoffs with the guys we have signed right now. Not even if we sign back Enroth or Lindback would I consider us a playoff contender. Talk of us trading for Howard wouldn't be good either IMO.

I don't mean to imply that the organization is heading for a crash-and-burn rebuild. It would be a strange world where Detroit isn't in the mix -- that's why I was sad to hear they were joining the same division as the Sabres despite always liking them. I just wonder if the whole "winning too much" idea will bring them more toward the middle of the pack in the coming years.
- OnPoint

I don't think the Wings will be out of the mix anytime soon. They have some really promising prospects on forward and defense, and Mrazek is 21-22, so they look pretty good for the next several years IMO.

Why would TM be on the phone? Its not his money, it's TPegs money. I'd say this is above TM and up to TP and the contract guys.
- Homer

The GM negotiates a coach's contract just like the players. The owner signs off.