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You Have To Do It Right
by Paul on 03/11/10 at 07:53 AM ET
Comments (8)
from Tim Wharnsby of CBC,
Mike Babcock was dripping in sweat. He had just returned from his daily run along the riverfront outside Joe Louis Arena. The sparkle from coaching the Canadian men’s Olympic team to gold in Vancouver only 11 days previous was not evident because of Babcock’s current predicament with the Detroit Red Wings.
He was less than 24 hours removed from a devastating 4-2 home loss to the Calgary Flames. Local reporters were waiting for him to explain what buttons he was going to push to get the Red Wings into the playoffs.
There is concern around Motown. The Red Wings are in ninth spot with 16 regular-season games remaining. Detroit hasn’t missed the post-season since 1989-90.
“You have to do it right,” Babcock said after he finished his briefing session with reporters. “There will time in the summer to reflect on the Olympics when I’m in my boat at the lake.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Mike+Babcock,
Comments
There’s no way this guy’s job is in jeopardy.
Is there?
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 03/11/10 at 09:03 AM ET
about being a boss yet remaining a friend to his workers
well now we know what the problem is. I’m guessing the players have tuned him out. that’s what happens with the coaches who try to be friends with the players. it happened to Dave Lewis. well, technically they never tuned him out because they never tuned him in.
it never happened to Bowman. why not? because he was never their friends.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 03/11/10 at 09:05 AM ET
That is a great story - - be sure to read the blue-sidebar story on the right of the link.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 03/11/10 at 09:08 AM ET
There’s no way this guy’s job is in jeopardy.
Is there?
the injuries this year give him a built-in excuse for the team’s performance.
if they don’t make the playoffs (or are out early) and their level of play doesn’t improve by the middle of next season, I bet he’s gone - like what happened in Pittsburgh.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 03/11/10 at 09:10 AM ET
@ Paul
If he is fired in the middle of next season or whenever, I don’t think he’ll be unemployed for very long. 6 previous seasons as a coach in the NHL and 3 Stanley Cup Final appearances, that’s pretty impressive.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 03/11/10 at 09:33 AM ET
If anyone thinks there is the remotest possibility that Ken Holland would let this coach go, you have another thing coming. Tick-Tock is a much better judge of talent, leadership and work ethic than anyone on this board.
Just because the Wings have an “off” year does not mean the world is coming to an end.
Maybe, just maybe, the Wings’ performance is due to the players, not the coach.
Besides, the Wings WILL be in the playoffs, and will win 2 rounds at least.
Posted by w2j2 on 03/11/10 at 09:47 AM ET
I am no Red Wing fan and not a particular fan of what sometimes comes off as Babcock’s condescending attitude, but come on.
Thanks to the salary cap working as intended, Detroit lost a bunch of scoring from last year’s team. Of the top players that did return, many were hurt for long stretches of the year. If you don’t know that these factors—much more than anything Babcock did or didn’t do—are key factor’s in Detroit’s troubles this year . . well maybe you need to pay closer attention.
In fact, if you want to blame Babcock, don’t exclude Holland. He’s the one who signs and drafts the players, including the younger players and small-time free agents who couldn’t come close to replacing those the Wings lost.
But the reality is, the salary cap hamstrings him. You can only do so much. It’s cyclical, people. You’re going to have some down times. Given the smart people who run the Wings, I’m guessing this down time doesn’t last long. Like maybe one season and next year you’re back where you think it’s your birthright to be.
Posted by Lex Talionis on 03/11/10 at 10:34 AM ET
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maybe he and the Red Wings assistant coaches need to spend some time hanging out with fans at the games and feed off of THAT energy.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 03/11/10 at 08:59 AM ET