jeffblashillbench621.JPG

Jeff Blashill has compiled a record of 88-49-6-9 during two seasons behind the bench for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

(MLive file photo)

DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland is trying to keep the organization's head coaches in place for at least a few more seasons.

Holland expects to start contract talks with Mike Babcock soon, possibly as early as next week. Holland also appears on the verge of signing Grand Rapids Griffins coach Jeff Blashill to an extension.

Babcock and Blashill each has one year remaining on his contract.

Holland said he has denied permission to some NHL clubs who have asked to speak with Blashill. Instead, he has been negotiating an extension for the 40-year-old coach who's had tremendous success with the Griffins.

"I told him some (NHL) teams have called; he's very happy where he's at," Holland said. "I think he'd like to spend another year or two in the AHL getting more experience coaching pros.

"We're talking about a significant salary increase in return for him being patient for another year or two."

Blashill is destined to be an NHL head coach. Whether he gets that opportunity in Detroit depends on whether Babcock stays beyond next season.

"(Blashill) can continue to develop, evolve as a coach in hopes that there continues to be (NHL) interview opportunities in the next couple of years," Holland said.

Blashill is 88-48-2-12 (W-L-OTL-SOL) in two seasons at Grand Rapids. The Griffins won the Calder Cup championship in 2013 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs this past season, when Blashill was named AHL coach of the year for leading the team to a 99-point season despite having many of its best players called up to the Red Wings.

Before serving as an assistant coach for the Red Wings in 2011-12 Blashill had successful stints as head coach at Western Michigan (the Broncos reached the NCAA Tournament in his only season in 2010-11) and Indiana of the USHL (the Ice won the league championship during his first season in 2008).

"Mike Babcock identified Blash as a guy who'd be great on our staff," Holland said. "He did a tremendous job turning around Western Michigan. A year under Mike Babcock in Detroit was beneficial and positive for his career.

"We wanted somebody who had aspirations to move on and bring in some energy. He did a fabulous job in Grand Rapids."

Blashill has helped in the development of several players already with the Red Wings (Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Riley Sheahan, Tomas Jurco, Luke Glendening) or who will be over the next couple of years (like Xavier Ouellet, Ryan Sproul, Alexey Marchenko, Teemu Pulkkinen, Petr Mrazek).

"Our scouts identified good players and Jeff Blashill has done a fabulous job in the development of those players," Holland said. "We're trying to develop another group of players who'll be key contributors to us having playoff success. It's important that they learn to win at the American Hockey League level.

"This season and next summer is a critical time in Detroit as we transition young players into being Red Wings. Jeff Blashill is an important guy as we go through that transition. He's excited to continue to have an impact on the Red Wings."

The Red Wings ideally would like to sign Babcock to an extension before the season.

"We'll be together during our pro scouting meetings (Monday through Wednesday) and at the draft (June 27-28 in Philadelphia)," Holland said. "In the month of June we'll sit down and talk.

"Because of our relationship, I wouldn't categorize it as formal negotiations. I'd like to get him signed to an extension. It might take 10 minutes, it might take two months."

Or Babcock could keep his options open and not sign, in which case he likely would draw interest from every team seeking a head coach after 2014-15.

"If he wants to go into the last year of his contract, that's his prerogative," Holland said.

Babcock, who couldn't be reached for comment, indicated after the season that he is happy in Detroit.

Holland said he granted permission for teams to speak with assistant coaches Tom Renney and Bill Peters. Renney reportedly is a candidate for the Florida Panthers head coaching job.

Carolina and Vancouver also are seeking head coaches. Pittsburgh might be added to the list because Dan Bylsma remains in limbo.

-- Download the Detroit Red Wings on MLive app for iPhone and Android

-- Follow Ansar Khan and Brendan Savage on Twitter

-- Like MLive's Detroit Red Wings Facebook page