Wojo: Babcock could be the first Red Wing to leave.

[everyoneneedsasmil]

I think Blashill is the ideal replacement. Obviously he's knows the team, knows the system, and is a really good coach. The thing I like the most is how much he's worked with our young guys before they got to the NHL. He has immediate respect from a growing portion of the team. He knows how to use young players, when to pull them and when to let them learn through their mistakes.

Babcock leaving isn't the start of this, but the team has to get younger across the board. Blashill seems a perfect coach to complete that transition.

 

[kingofdetroit57]

Latest rumor is Buffalo is out and it's now Toronto in the lead w/ an $8mil/yr offer. If true, that's insanity.

 

[dubbsco]

8 years, 50 M.

 

[everyoneneedsasmil]

Much as I don't want to see him go, just wow, way to go Babs. Toronto must have outbid by over a million a year. Babs could absolutely be worth it, too. He did a great service to coaches all over.

Selfishly, I'm also kind of glad he's in Toronto. Toronto has made the playoffs exactly once since the lockout (11 years). That third rounder compensation looks a lot better from them than someone like the Penguins.

 

[sggatecl]

Toronto is a shit hole of an organization over the last decade. Babcock followed the money and a challenge. Good for him.

 

[JScottWriter]

That is a lot of money. He should have taken that. I would like to see them interview Blysma(sp?).

 

[kingofdetroit57]

Good for Babcock and for Toronto... and maybe Detroit too. Coaches run their course after a while, even the great ones. Blashill is a very good coach by all accounts, and he's well liked and very familiar with the young guys. This could be a good move for everybody.

 

[UMRules06]

I wish him well. He won a cup here for us. Nothing wrong with parting ways on good terms. Best of luck to him. Although not too much because I hate the Leafs lol.

 

[tigersofjustice]

50 mil 8 years. Good luck to him. No coach in the NHL is worth that and if Toronto wanted to overpay to that extent that's fine. I have a lot of confidence in Blashill.

 

[biggunsbob]

Wanted him to stay but thought Toronto was the logical choice for Mike..If he wins there he will go down as a hockey god in Toronto.. Hope the Wings hire Jeff and go out and win the cup with him next season..

 

[jdeb]

I wish him the best, he was a good coach.