“I’m not goin’ anywhere.”—Mike Babcock discussing his contract negotiations

I guess the second round really was what Gordon meant by “deep into postseason play”.  Good call, Chief.

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 04/21/08 at 05:48 PM ET

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Could someone kindly inform Ottawa?  There are already rumours that he would be the perfect coach to whip the team into shape.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/21/08 at 05:50 PM ET

Babcock to Ottawa?

wake up and smell the desperation.

he ‘aint going no where

Posted by Pharazon from England on 04/21/08 at 05:54 PM ET

unrelated ... just read this gem:
“I switched Huds and Drake every game at the start of the periods because Dally likes to run defensemen and I like to watch him run defensemen,’’ Babcock said.

Posted by ColdWar on 04/21/08 at 05:58 PM ET

unrelated ... just read this gem:
“I switched Huds and Drake every game at the start of the periods because Dally likes to run defensemen and I like to watch him run defensemen,’’ Babcock said

Dammit! I saw that today and meant to mention it then get confused by all the windows I had open.  Rats.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 04/21/08 at 07:46 PM ET

Babcock’s going nowhere.  Good moves by him to calm the team down after game four.  I’ve been in Boston for Red Sox and Bruins mania this weekend, and haven’t checked A2Y regularly.  Did anyone catch how much Kulfan basically blew the Predators in his pre-game column on game six?  Good lord.

I was firmly on the stress train after game four, but this team right now looks calm and confident.  People on this blog commenting on how the last two games have been played with 1998-like stifling defense are right on.

Posted by TDeters from Washington, DC on 04/21/08 at 08:32 PM ET

I know he’s not going anywhere, and you know he’s not going anywhere, and he knows he’s not going anywhere...I just noticed that an article mentioned him as a potentially good coach for the Senators...which no doubt he would be, if he was actually not employed currently.

Teams do seem to covet employed coaches and GMs, which makes more sense than coveting those who are unemployed for very good reasons - namely they stink at it. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/21/08 at 09:02 PM ET

I say send Mike Milbury to be the Ottawa head coach and Douche Canoe to be their goaltending/hand job expert.

Oh wait, they’re already employed by a prestigious organization and are surely beating off (pun intended) offers by other NHL franchises.

Ass-es.

I loved the “run d-men” comment from Babs too; this team truly has his stamp on it, and we’re all the better because of his influence.

On that topic, I need to offer readers this humble reminder; TOLD YOU ALL ITCHY @$TCHES THAT BABBLES WOULD RUN S&#T;LIKE A CORNER PIMP!!!!!

!

Posted by Osrt on 04/21/08 at 10:06 PM ET

Oh, btw: do you play Maltby instead of Helm?  I like the rookie’s speed and offensive touch. However, Malts is a playoff performer with the ability to agitate like Drake. That’s a tough call in my mind and, obviously, dependent on our next opponent.

Go Flames

Posted by Osrt on 04/21/08 at 10:09 PM ET

Great find Chief;

BABS: 

“I didn’t like the longhsots beating him(CMOI) 2 games in a row.”

Umm, heres a news flash:  the loyal Red Wing enthusiasts at “A 2 Y” didn’t either.

Nice of Uncle Mike to give props the 4th line, they were very good in games 5 and 6, very good.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 04/22/08 at 07:52 AM ET

On the Helm or Maltby issue; here is further comment from Uncle Mike to consider, Bruce “The Highlander” MacLeod at the Macomb Daily:

“I thought Helm was fantastic,” said Babcock. “They were our best line in the first period. Helm’s got so much speed and is such a good hockey player that it lets a guy like (Darren) McCarty, who knows how to play the game with good hockey sense, and obviously a guy like Huds do what they do.”

Are you in the camp that says:  “If it isn’t broke don’t fix it” or do you prefer Maltby’s experience?

Put me in the former.  Let Malts work in if needed.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 04/22/08 at 08:27 AM ET

Put me in the former.  Let Malts work in if needed.

Agreed

Posted by Osrt on 04/22/08 at 08:30 AM ET

Yeah, personally I think Helm is a better choice than Maltby.  We’ve got plenty of “grit” without Maltby.  Considering the Wings’ PP hasn’t been great, an agitator who will draw penalties isn’t all that valuable - and what is Maltby’s upside?  Not as much as Helm’s, IMO.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 04/22/08 at 09:02 AM ET

Maltby’s upside? Experience. Three Stanley Cups.  The PK, or as I refer to it the “power kill.” Up and above that, he and Drapes were just beginning to jell once again at the end of the season. Maltby has been to the big dance before. I say Maltby all the way!  “BRING IT ON!” Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 04/22/08 at 09:57 AM ET

Off the subject, if your interested you can sign the Al Sobotka Petition.

http://www.petitiononline.com/octopus8/petition.html

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 04/22/08 at 10:12 AM ET

Stick with Helm.  We’ve got D-Mac and Drake in there as agitators and both are performing well.

If we’re looking for more size...beyond what we’ve got...I think we bring in Home Keys.  I get that he doesn’t have the playoff experience, but frankly I think that’s overrated.  We have plenty of guys on this team that can help him get acclimated to the postseason and his game seems tailor made for the playoff style.

Posted by disch from austin on 04/22/08 at 10:34 AM ET

“Kate from Pa.”

RE: Al Sobotka Petition

I signed it with this note:

“Please also make note that the NHL itself is making use of Detroit’s octopus tradition in one of it’s own ‘I am the Stanley Cup Playoffs’ promo ads, (with an octopus landing on the ice in slow-mo).”

Thanks for the heads-up.

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 04/22/08 at 12:42 PM ET

Great petition!! 1989 signatures.  emailto:Gary.Ass@NHL.com

Posted by rwbill on 04/22/08 at 01:13 PM ET

I am so angry that someone that isn’t a part of the “cult following” or any tradition, has the nerve to use it as a marketing ploy. Then to throw our tradition in our faces? The NHL needs to pull it off the air or change the new rule.
Thanks, Gary.Ass
You can mail him at,

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 04/22/08 at 02:02 PM ET

When I first heard about this ridiculous rule, I suggested in another post that Detroit area fish markets should donate an octopus to each fan as they enter the Joe. The fans could swing the octopi in unison and fling them on the ice, screaming “Thanks, Gary. Ass!” at the top of the lungs. While I still like the “up yours” nature of this gesture, it would almost certainly lead to fines and/or other retribution from the NHL’s idiocracy.

More recently, however, I had a better idea. If and when an octopus hits the ice—and after every Red Wings goal—they should show video of “Al’s Greatest Twirls” on the scoreboard screen.

GO WINGS!!!!!

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 04/22/08 at 02:32 PM ET

the rule says he can’t twirl the octopus he picked up, right?  what if he already had one on him and twirled that one.

just thinking outside the box, here.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 04/22/08 at 02:53 PM ET

Signed with

“Howabout banning other traditions, like the Tootoo whistle in Nashville during game play? That’s far more disruptive”

Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 04/22/08 at 04:58 PM ET