Could Lure of New Challenges Be Too Much for Red Wings' Mike Babcock to Pass Up?

Mike Babcock is arguably one of the best bench bosses in the NHL today. His dossier includes 484 victories, two Olympic gold medals and a Stanley Cup. It is a crime that he hasn't been awarded a Jack Adams Trophy for coaching excellence, especially after the adversity he had to overcome last season with the Detroit Red Wings.

Babcock enters this season, his 10th with the Red Wings, with an open-ended future. The 51-year-old is slated to become a free agent, but he recently described the situation as one that he isn't concerned with.

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com reported, "Babcock told Detroit media Wednesday that he’s either going to get something done with the Wings before the regular season starts, or he’s going to wait until after the season to figure things out."

Although Babcock has expressed his love for Detroit, could the lure of new challenges elsewhere be too much for him to pass up? Before it is brought up in the comments section, I realize what Babcock has said publicly. 

He just said on television, "I think they want me to be here. I want to be here. We'll find a way to work something out," said Babcock. "Right now, you might find this hard to believe, we have other things to worry about besides Mike Babcock."

He is saying all the right things, and although a deal could be made, throughout history there have been tons of surefire deals that broke down. With that in mind, it is fair to look and see if new challenges in other markets could be enough to lure him out of Detroit.

Ultimately, Babcock is a fierce competitor, and that is especially evident after watching the Wings bench boss at the last two Olympic Games.

Before making his decision, he needs to look at the Red Wings and ask himself, “What more can I do here?" If you think about it honestly and candidly, there aren't many more challenges for him. 

Last season was arguably one of Babcock's biggest accomplishments, as he guided a squad made up of youngsters and minor leaguers to the playoffs. The injury bug bit Detroit hard in 2014, but Babcock and the Wings surged on. 

Babcock has made the playoffs every year he's been with Detroit, and the team's consecutive playoff streak has extended from 14 to 23 under his watch.  He has also won a Stanley Cup, and while winning another one would be sweet, winning another one in a different market might be more meaningful to him.

CARLOS OSORIO/Associated Press

The popular fantasy that has been thrown about for the past few years has included Babcock coming to the Toronto Maple Leafs and having the native Ontarian lead the team to its first Stanley Cup since 1967. It appears to be just a fantasy, but the fact that Randy Carlyle still has a job leads me to believe that Toronto may be waiting to see what Babcock does first.

The fact that Brendan Shanahan is now a high-profile member of the Leafs front office ads some intrigue to the situation, and it was speculated that Carlyle only has a job because the future of two coaches with Detroit ties currently are in flux.

Via Elliotte Friedman of CBC:

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You're going to ask who Shanahan's guy(s) is/are. You have to think his Detroit history puts Mike Babcock and Todd McLellan on that list. There are no guarantees. Who knows what their futures are, although you get the impression San Jose ownership approved McLellan's return for next season. As for Babcock, it's smart to keep your options open in case he is interested.

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Todd McLellan's future with San Jose is safe for now, but another season without a Stanley Cup could be the final nail in the coffin. In theory, he could be Toronto's backup option if Babcock re-signs with Detroit. Either way, despite everything out there in the public, teams such as the Maple Leafs think there is a chance they could land Babcock.

But Toronto isn't the only club, as the Penguins could also make room if Babcock became available. Back in June, Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review said that the Penguins were very interested in landing Babcock.

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Pure conjecture on my part, but I think if anybody thinks that the Pittsburgh Penguins are out of the running next year for Mike Babcock, I don’t think there’s any question in my mind that they are going to try and negotiate some sort of way to get Babcock out of Detroit before next year because everything I’ve heard about the next coach they want screams Mike Babcock.

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Mike Johnston of the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) ultimately was hired, but if the Penguins have a bad year and Babcock hits the open market, it is pretty clear what will happen. Sidney Crosby is the greatest player in the world, and he would love to be coached by the man who led his nation to gold in consecutive Olympics.

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

At the end of the day, Babcock will have tons of options. There is no lack of interest in him, but right now he is focused on the Red Wings. Winning a Jack Adams Trophy is the last box he needs to check off with the Wings, and that will be his goal in 2014-15.

Babcock has shown time and time again how loyal he is, and there is no doubt about his commitment to the Red Wings, but bigger challenges elsewhere may ultimately lure him out of the Motor City.