As the Detroit Red Wings enter a disappointingly early summer, they will have quite a while to consider what moves they should make to avoid a similar fate next year.
Deciding on which players to re-sign, identifying free-agent targets and, very likely, determining which players to throw out as possible trade bait are all items on Detroit general manager Ken Holland's to-do list.
However, the No. 1 item on that list should be signing head coach Mike Babcock to a contract extension.
Ansar Khan at MLive.com recently identified this priority as well, noting both Babcock and Holland himself will be entering the final years of their respective contracts.
Taking for granted that Holland will be extended—he’s expressed no interest in leaving the team, and the current market yields no better GM options than Holland—he should immediately table any player-related decisions and turn his full attention to wooing Mike Babcock to stay in Detroit long term.
The reasons for retaining Babcock are obvious.
Babcock is now the winningest coach in Detroit Red Wings ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Matt Hutter
Mike Babcock Contract Extension Should Be Detroit Red Wings’ Top Priority
April 29th, 2014 by Matt Hutter Leave a reply »
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