- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Mike Babcock to ESPN yesterday.
“I hope to make a decision by morning, but I’m still very much undecided,” Babcock told ESPN.com.
Babcock talked with both the Red Wings and Sabres yesterday. Source saying that Sabres made a second offer to Babcock over the weekend. Its believed that Babcock spoke with six teams in total.
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: There is a rumor that the Sabres offered Babcock a deal in the $5 million range, with WGR-AM 550 quoting a source who said the long-term deal could be worth upwards of $50 million. The Red Wings are not believed to be wanting to get into a bidding war for Babcock.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Jeff Blashill is the leading candidate for the Wings if Babcock leaves. Reports are that Babcock is looking for at least $4 million a year. Wings GM Ken Holland said that “money is not an issue,” but the Wings may not be interested in going much over $4 million.
- Jason Gregor: Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli confirmed that they owe the Sharks compensation for hiring Todd McLellan. They haven’t agreed what the compensation will be.
- Ryan Rishaug: Chiarelli did talk to Ken Holland about Mike Babcock, but he never asked permission to speak with him. McLellan was their guy right from the start.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Todd McLellan and Peter Chiarelli will take some time to fill out the rest of their coaching staff. Jay Woodcroft, McLellan’s assistant in San Jose, could join the Oilers.
“I’ve spent 3-1/2 weeks in Prague (at the world hockey championship) and about five days before that I was released in San Jose and I’d be lying to you if I sat here and said, ‘Listen, I’ve had a chance to sit down with Todd Nelson or anybody else on the existing coaching staff,’ ” said McLellan.
“With (general manager Peter Chiarelli’s) support, I’m going to take time to make sure we build the staff properly and get the pieces we need. Do we have to go outside? I don’t know the answers to that yet. Todd Nelson and I have a very good relationship built from many years in Saskatchewan (where both grew up and played junior hockey) and I’d be happy to sit down with him.
“Maybe Todd might have some different desires himself,” McLellan continued. “He might want to be a head coach in the National Hockey League and he’s very good at it. He can do that.
“We have to discuss with each of the (Oilers staff) individuals and see where everybody fits (or they don’t).”