Detroit — Mike Babcock didn't want to go anywhere else and the Wings didn't want him to leave. So it was easy for both sides to work out a four-year extension that will keep Babcock behind the bench through 2014-15. He’ll earn $2 million a year, which will make him the highest-paid NHL coach. “I’m thankful to the Ilitches (owners Mike and Marian Ilitch) and to (general manager) Ken Holland for the opportunity,” said Babcock, who didn’t want to move with one daughter heading to college and another starting high school. He also has a young son. “We’re lucky to be working with real good people. We’re happy here.” Since replacing Dave Lewis to begin the 2005-06 season, Babcock has coached the Wings to a 2008 Stanley Cup title, lost a seventh game in the Stanley Cup Finals the following year, and strung together five consecutive seasons over 100 points (259-101-52 record).
The best hair in the business will be staying put through the 2014-2015 season which means Detroit is guaranteed to remain one of the top teams in the NHL for the next four years. Babcock is as good as they come behind the bench and besides Scotty Bowman has been the best Wings coach in my lifetime. He has that same aura of accountability that had Wings fans saying, "Scotty won't let them lose 2 in a row" during playoff runs. Bab's isn't afraid to mix things up when the team needs a jolt but also doesn't do it so often that there is no continuity like Jim Leyland. This is a great move for the Wings and another reason Ken Holland will go down as one of the greatest GM's in sports history.
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