Red Wings

[WingsFan]

10 years and 1 Stanley Cup - knocked out of the first round 3 of the last 4 years and I believe 4 of the last 6. Haven't got past the second round since 2008. Canada has a hard on for Babcock because of the gold medals (which anybody breathing could have coached those team to win). I sincerely would have been shocked if he didn't go to Toronto, foregone conclusion if you ask me I don't care what anybody says. Good riddance!


Holland doubled Blashill salary this year, only if he agreed not to talk to any NHL teams. It's only a formality now after the Griffins season is over he will be hired as Red Wings HC. Only question now is can Ken Holland grow back a pair or still be neutered? (and offering stupid long term contracts)

[Craven]

Good Riddance? That's dumb.

[dpatnod]

Now let's see if Ken Holland's balls grow three sizes this day.

We can ask Deuce's mom.

[Tom]

I don't get the good riddance part. He performed well here. There was a 3-4 year stretch where they were the best team in hockey.

Now, I don't blame Toronto for going after him. I'm surprised they offered as much as they did. But unless they make some drastic roster moves, they are not going to see the same results Babcock had here or with Team Canada.

I did hear that some Buffalo writers were at Babcock's Toronto press conference and seemed bent out of shape that he didn't sign with Buffalo.

[chemiclord]

Babcock had a good run, but I think his tenure had run his course here in Detroit.

[Malto Marko]

Man, Babs is getting torched for taking the Toronto job from losers on the radio.

He does not deserved to get bashed and in fact, it is he who should be applauded, recognizing that it was time for a change in scenery. It makes an even easier decision when you get paid 2 1/2 times what he would have made to stay.

[froot loops]

The free agent tour for a coach was a little much.

[Malto Marko]

Maybe, but it paid off for him.

[AMP]

He deserved it. Great coach. Best wishes.

[chemiclord]

Man, Babs is getting torched for taking the Toronto job from losers on the radio.

Funny how you had no problem joining that angry mob when the guy was named Suh...

Detroit fans can be worse than the most bitter ex-girlfriend when it comes to a sports figure leaving town.

[fontes91]

Babcock had a good run, but I think his tenure had run his course here in Detroit.

Well said. Tip your cap, thank him, wish him well and now time to move on.

A side note, I found out something cool this week - one of the on-call staff that I supervise is the sister of Matt Hendricks, left wing on the Edmonton Oilers. He is also the current team captain on the US national team and will likely be in the next Olympics. She showed me a bunch of pics on her phone.

[Malto Marko]

Funny how you had no problem joining that angry mob when the guy was named Suh...

Detroit fans can be worse than the most bitter ex-girlfriend when it comes to a sports figure leaving town.

You really do have your blinders on when it comes to reality, don't you.

There is a big difference between someone who is in sports and comes in on their first contract, signs a second contract, then decides to see what his worth is on the open market and successfully gets 2 1/2 times what is being offered him.

There is also a big difference from someone who was torn making the difficult decision to leave but the money offered made it a no brainer vs someone who appeared to have nothing in mind except squeezing every last nickle out of the opportunity.

If you go by percentages, there is a big difference between what Babcock would have to have settled for to stay vs what Suh would have had to settle for to stay.

..........and in the 10 years of service, Babcock never once displayed any stupidity nor appeared to have selfish intentions motivate him.

I see huge differences between Babcocks and Suhs contract negotiations.

I am willing to bet that if the difference in money offered to Babcock was similar to the percentage of difference between Lions and Miamis offers to Suh, Babcock would have stayed.

........but, that is irrelevant.

[The King]

People in their professional life take different jobs all the time. New location, new challenge, more money. Babcock did the same thing millions of people do every year.

His press conference with the Wings media was awesome. The guy was brought to tears. He loved it here, but he's going home to a new challenge, and the $50 million doesn't hurt either.

Good luck to him and when we play Toronto, let's kick his ass.

[The King]

Suh was similar. You can be angry and cry about it like a fucking baby, but these guys are human. They make their decisions for many reasons. The same reasons we do when we take a new job.

If people can't understand that in this free agency era of sports, then maybe they need more help than bitching on a message board.

[fontes91]

The only FA departure from Motown that ever pissed me off was when Grant Hill left for Orlando. And that was only because up until the signing he allegedly lead Joe D to believe he was staying. Of course that sign-n-trade started the Pistons on a path to a ring, so even that worked out.

Going back further, I guess I was a bit miffed when the Tigers traded Ben Oglivie for Jim Slaton, only to see Slaton go back to the Brewers after one season via FA. But in that case I was more miffed at Det for trading Benjie.