Mike-Babcock-4-26-14

Mike Babcock is sure to be back for his 10th season behind the Red Wings bench. But after that, the future is murky.

(The Associated Press)

When players cleared out their lockers on April 29, Mike Babcock made it clear he intended to be back behind the Detroit Red Wings bench next season.

"My daughter's going into her Grade 12 year; I'm either going to be the coach of the Red Wings ... or I'll be Red (Berenson's) assistant coach for a year (at Michigan)," Babcock said. "For sure I'm staying in Detroit. I haven't thought about going anywhere else."

The part about Michigan was a joke. He also said getting a contract extension in the off-season isn't a priority for him as he heads into the final year of his deal.

That's led to much league-wide speculation on what the future holds for Babcock. First, a Toronto writer suggested the Maple Leafs should do whatever it takes to hire Babcock (they gave coach Randy Carlyle a two-year extension instead). Then some Pittsburgh media floated the possibility of Babcock taking over the underachieving Penguins as early as next season.

The Penguins fired general manager Ray Shero on Friday and announced the new GM would decide coach Dan Bylsma's fate.

This has some Red Wings fans and M-Live readers wondering about Babcock's future.

Q. The recent speculation of Mike Babcock leaving next year has me thinking a bit. What is the vibe you are getting? The Toronto talk seems like a long shot but if Pittsburgh ends up willing to fire Bylsma then the worry becomes a reality. I don't see (Bylsma) being fired unless there is mutual interest between Babs and the Pens. I hope this has just been wishful thinking by those writers.

--Kurt

A. Babcock isn't going anywhere; he'll be here at least one more season.

The Red Wings likely will sign general manager Ken Holland to an extension in the off-season or next season (he has one year and a club option remaining). After that's taken care of, Holland will talk to Babcock about his future.

Will Babcock be offered an extension? Will he want to stay beyond 2014-15? That remains to be seen.

Q. What is your opinion on Babcock's future with Detroit? I wouldn't complain, I don't think many would, if (Grand Rapids Griffins coach Jeff) Blashill became head coach. Do you think (Tom) Renney is returning as assistant coach? The power play was pretty weak this year.

-- Joe

A. Blashill, who led the Griffins to the AHL championship last season (they were eliminated by Texas in the second round on Sunday), said a few weeks ago he intends to remain with Grand Rapids next season. But he is destined to become an NHL head coach.

Will it be in Detroit as Babcock's eventual successor? Probably not, if Babcock signs an extension. But if Babcock leaves after next season, I imagine Blashill would be his replacement.

It's hard to speculate whether Babcock leaves after 2014-15. I think it depends on several factors: the development of young players, personnel moves, how the team fares, the direction of the organization, his other options, etc.

Renney, who has one year remaining on his contract, will be back, unless he gets a head-coaching job. Vancouver, Washington, Florida and Carolina are in the market for a head coach. Pittsburgh might join them.

Q. Has the coaching staff ever considered using Jonathan Ericsson or Brendan Smith as a net-front player on the power play? Both have plenty of experience at forward as well as the physical tools to really handle themselves in that position. I figure it's probably time we got a little more creative with our power play.

-- Sam

A. The 6-foot-4 Ericsson might be effective screening the goaltender, but does he have the hand-eye coordination to tip shots? Can he retrieve pucks?

As for Smith, I don't know about putting him at the net-front, but why not use him at the point on the second unit? He quarterbacked the power play at Wisconsin and Grand Rapids. Let's see if he's ready for that role in the NHL.

Q. What are the chances (Anthony) Mantha makes the Wings this upcoming year? Is it more likely he'll play in Grand Rapids? Who, if anyone, would the Wings most likely trade this off-season?

-- Connor

A. Mantha will have an opportunity to make the team in training camp and the preseason, but my guess is he will spend at least half the season in Grand Rapids, if not the whole year.

Only four current Red Wings went straight to the NHL without stopping in the minors: Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen and Danny DeKeyser.

Datsyuk (23), Zetterberg (22) and Franzen (25) were older when they entered the NHL and had experience playing in European men's leagues. Mantha, who turns 20 on Sept. 16, is a tremendous talent but might need some experience playing against professionals.

Potential trade candidates include Jakub Kindl, due to the organization's bevy of young defensemen, and Joakim Andersson, who's fallen behind Riley Sheahan and Luke Glendening on the depth chart.

Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard had consistency issues this season.

Q. It is totally accepted that a team is not going to win the Stanley Cup without a championship-type goaltender. It is my view that Jimmy Howard is not now and never will be in that league. What is your view of the Red Wings' goaltending situation in (regards to) Howard as their No. 1 goaltender?

-- Tom

A. I still think the team can win with Howard. He struggled with consistency in 2013-14, but he posted a 2.13 goals-against average in each of the two previous seasons.

At 30, he's still in his prime. He's still capable of playing like he did in 2009-10 (finished second in Calder Trophy balloting for top rookie honors) and in 2011-12 (played in the All-Star game).

Q. Watching every game every year, I just don't know if (Howard) can get the job done. When is the breaking point for Jimmy Howard when everyone turns on him and (Petr) Mrazek or The Monster (Jonas Gustavsson) bump him out. I feel if he has a bad start and the back-up (whoever it will be) comes in and plays good, it's a scary situation for Jimmy. Any info on if Ryan Miller wants to be with (brother) Drew and live in Detroit?

-- Chad

A. The Red Wings have a lot invested in Howard; he has five years remaining on his contract at a $5.29 million salary cap hit. It would take a significant slide for him to lose that job.

The club will try to re-sign Gustavsson, who's an unrestricted free agent. If he leaves, I think they'll look for another veteran free agent to back-up Howard next season. I think they'll keep Mrazek in Grand Rapids for another season, where he'll continue his development by playing 60 games, rather than watching 60 games as Howard's backup.

No chance of Miller coming here. He'll be a starter somewhere else.

Q. If (Stephen) Weiss was injured prior to the season, did Wings management not know this? Was it missed in the physical? And Weiss did not disclose this?

-- Michael

A. Weiss needed to see a specialist in Philadelphia before his condition (sports hernia) could be accurately assessed. He revealed after the season that he was experiencing pain coming into the season but didn't tell the team, and he regrets that decision.

Q. Any rumors regarding a corporate sponsor for the new Red Wings arena?

-- Christopher

A. Joe Louis Arena is one of only three NHL buildings with no corporate name (the others are Madison Square Garden and the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum). The Red Wings' new arena is sure to have a corporate sponsor; your guess is as good as mine as to who that might be. I thought it might be Amway until it opted not to renew its deal as the team's presenting sponsor in 2013.

Thanks for participating. I have more questions I will answer later this week.

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