Report: Mike Babcock could be on verge of new contract with Red Wings

Diposkan oleh silent aja 10:15 PM Post a Comment

Mike Babcock will reportedly be staying with the Detroit Red Wings. (USATSI)

Mike Babcock is currently the longest tenured coach in the NHL, and it seems that he could be staying with the Detroit Red Wings for quite some time.

According to a report from Bob Duff of the Windsor Star on Wednesday night, Babcock could be on the verge of signing a new contract extension with the Red Wings that will make him the highest paid coach in the NHL. The deal could be imminent, according to the report.

Babcock's current contract with the Red Wings expires after this season which led to a steady stream of rumors and speculation that he could be move on to a new team next season. Currently in his 10th season with the Red Wings, Babcock has never missed the playoffs with the team and has won nearly 60 percent of his regular season games with the team. Over the past two years, as the Red Wings have started to transition to a younger roster and have dealt with some significant losses on their defense with the retirements of Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski, Babcock has arguably done his best coaching jobs with the Red Wings.

As of Thursday, two months into a season that some expected the team to take a significant step backwards and perhaps even miss the playoffs for the first time in more than 20 years, the Red Wings have the highest point total in the Eastern Conference.

Prior to his time with the Red Wings, Babcock coached the Anaheim Ducks for two seasons including the 2002-03 season when they reached the Stanley Cup Final.

In his coaching career Babcock coached teams have played in three Stanley Cup Finals (one with Anaheim, two with Detroit) and won one. Along with his NHL success, Babcock has also coached team Canada to Gold Medals in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.