Mike-Babcock-4-26-14

The Red Wings are willing to give Mike Babcock a four- or five-year extension at around $3 million per season.

(AP file photo)

DETROIT -- Mike Babcock won his 500th game on Saturday, and the chances that he'll win many more behind the Detroit Red Wings bench, this season and beyond, are increasing.



Some in the Red Wings organization are growing more confident that Babcock will sign an extension with the club, either during the season or shortly after.



They weren't as certain before the season, when Babcock's refusal to sign indicated he might be on his way out after his current contract expires in the off-season, most likely headed to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who inquired about his availability last summer.



He still might keep his options open and decide after the season.



But the team's strong start, the performance of its young players and the promising prospects in the system might just prompt Babcock to stick around and not seek greener pastures.



He wants a long-term deal, and the Red Wings are willing to make him the highest-paid coach in the NHL with a four- or five-year extension worth around $3 million per season.



Babcock's future was the main topic among M-Live readers this week:



Q: I want to know if you can tell us more about Mike Babcock's chances of staying with the Wings for next year and beyond? A lot of sports commentators down here in Quebec are saying they are 100 percent sure Babs signs with the Leafs next summer. I wish I could prove them wrong but unfortunately I can't get the inside on this so can you maybe reassure me (as well as other Wings fans) or unfortunately confirm what they are saying is true. - Marco



A: Nothing is 100 percent. I thought it was 50-50 at the start of the season. Now, because of the way the team is playing and the positive long-term outlook, I think he'll stay.



I'm fairly certain it's not a money issue. I think he wants to be with the organization that has the best chance of winning and competing for a Stanley Cup in the next few years.



I like Detroit's outlook better than Toronto's. I'm guessing Babcock does, too.



There probably is concern that the Red Wings' best players are aging - Pavel Datsyuk is 36, Henrik Zetterberg is 34 and Niklas Kronwall is 33.



But they have a lot of young talent on the roster (Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Riley Sheahan, Tomas Jurco, Danny DeKeyser, Brendan Smith).



And they're well-stocked at each position in the system. Forwards Anthony Mantha and Dylan Larkin look like high-end prospects. They have five defensemen in Grand Rapids who might wind up in the NHL (Xavier Ouellet, Alexey Marchenko, Ryan Sproul, Nick Jensen and Mattias Backman). And goaltender Petr Mrazek, current in Detroit due to Jonas Gustavsson's shoulder injury, is a top talent.



Q: I know the coach and the team are not discussing Mike Babcock's potential new contract publicly, but they are discussing it, right? It seems like an easy call: Babcock is in the top three coaches in the league (I think he's the best), he gets great play from veterans, and he's great at teaching the kids, so pay him what he wants to stay. Are there other issues in play? Are there personnel control issues or personality conflicts in the organization? I know no coach is bigger than the franchise, but if Babcock wants to stay, it seems like the team can and should make that happen. - Paul



A: They're trying hard to keep him. They're willing to make him the highest-paid coach in the league. Not sure what else there is to offer.



Babcock and general manager Ken Holland don't agree on every personnel decision, but that is surely the case with every coach and GM. I don't think any team would give its coach complete personnel control.



The ball is in Babcock's court, so to speak.



Q: Do you see Babs re-signing? Or do you think he will wait and see how the team does? -- Joseph



A: He probably has a good idea of what kind of team he has. If not now, then surely by mid-season.



I don't think waiting until after the season will change the team's outlook.



It's just my opinion, but I think he'll sign during the season.



Thanks for participating. If you have a Red Wings-related question, email me at akhan1@mlive.com.

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