As a fan, if Jeff Blashill was fired, would you want to see Mike Babcock as his replacement?
According to the Toronto Star’s Kevin McGran, (you have to scroll down a bit) it should be a consideration. So I’ll just kick it off here:
Hell no.
But for amusement, here’s a blurb after he hangs blame on Yzerman for the Red Wings’ struggles:
"So if Blashill goes, who’d replace him? Maybe the guy he replaced? What a return that could be for Mike Babcock."
Blaming Yzerman for any of this is hysterical, being that he inherited a toxic dump in terms of roster, cap situation, and prospects. Second, after how Babcock answered for things in both the mentioned Athletic article as well as here on NBC, it’s a hard pass.
Babcock makes a specific point about how coaches have to grow and change. He specifically cites how what worked in the 2010 Olympics won’t work in the 2014 Olympics. And he’s absolutely right.
Aside from the story with Johan Franzen, and what read like an end around apology in that Athletic article, there are more than enough reasons to bury any suggestion for Babcock as the next coach.
Time has marched on. What worked from 2005-2015 doesn’t anymore. Look around the league. Though you still have some gruff exteriors, it’s guys who are loved by their players or coaches considering the whole human instead of just the guy lacing them up that are winning now. This is a culture shift and it’s one that’s been shifting in all walks of life. Babcock’s singular failure in Toronto was his inability to read the room and recognize a changing culture. Of all people, he should know that with his background in sports psychology.
The Red Wings are moving forward, and if we’re going to make a hockey argument, those who are exasperated with Jeff Blashill’s lineup management would be setting their Wings sweaters on fire if Babcock was in charge again. Remember Dan Cleary’s hand shake deal? Or Stephen Weiss? You talk about the tie going to the veteran, my God, it felt like even the “loss” went to the veteran when Babs was in charge. Beyond that, there’s a new culture being built in Detroit and it cannot be disrupted. Remember the relief felt from many of the players when he left?
After reflection and time off, I hope that Babs truly has changed. I believe in second chances for everyone because human experience is learning and improving from mistakes and failures.
I wish him well. I just don’t wish for him to be back in Detroit.