Babcock, Holland Power Struggle an Unwanted Distraction for Red Wings' Season

Mike Babcock is in the final year of his contract, and he's done a great job as the man in charge behind the bench of the Detroit Red Wings. He's showed his ability to make the most out of nothing, last season primarily, and he is a good evaluator of talent.

Babcock has played a role in the construction of the past two Olympic gold-medal hockey teams, and it is fair to say he likes having a level of control.

For that reason, it has been speculated that Babcock could leave for the Toronto Maple Leafs after this season, because there is a chance he could take a role that effectively replaces general manager Dave Nonis and Randy Carlyle.

In the past it has been said that the relationship of general manager Ken Holland and Mike Babcock has been great, but early on in the season, there is a sign that not all is well. Babcock was very impressed with Xavier Ouellet, and he wanted him to make the team.

Ouellet was demoted to Grand Rapids, and at a press conference, Babcock got short and threw Holland under the bus for the decision. 

'What did I say yesterday?' Babcock snapped when asked about the decision to send defenceman Xavier Ouellet to AHL Grand Rapids, per Bob Duff of the Windsor Star. 'You’re talking to the wrong guy. What’s next?' 

Babcock thought highly of Ouellet and said, “I think he’s a real intelligent player, he’s better, he’s just a gamer, he knows how to play. He’s calm.” He then went on to talk about the decision of why he got sent down, and he simply explained that he was outvoted.

“I got my two cents in, so I get one vote. He (Holland) gets two, so he can win, 2-1. It’s almost exactly like at home: I get one vote and my wife gets two, and I lose 2-1 lots."

By this point, you may be thinking this is something minor that is being blown out of proportion.

Babcock even went on the radio to try to defuse things, but it sounds more like coach-speak than anything else.

"People on the outside can make what they want of it,” Babcock continued, per CBS Detroit. “This is what we go through each and every year. He’s got a business to run, and that’s what he’s doing, and I’ve got a team to coach, and I want the guys that are ready to go right away."

It may appear that way, but it is hard to block out the visible disdain Babcock had when he met with the media.

The Wings have enough issues as it is when it comes to injuries, so a power struggle could prove to be an unwanted distraction for the Red Wings. Things weren't peaches and cream for Detroit last season, and they were featured on HBO's now defunct 24/7 docudrama.

At times when tensions were high, Babcock didn't get frustrated on camera, but instead he kicked the cameras out. With that in mind, Babcock's latest outburst should be considered a legitimate cause for concern.

If there are tensions over a decision as minor as the Ouellet demotion, imagine what else could happen. The Red Wings might reach a point where the playoffs are not realistic. If Babcock is going to continue his career with Detroit, he may want the team to make some certain moves.

There is no guarantee that Holland would share the same philosophy, because the Wings have never missed the playoffs under his watch, and giving up and rebuilding could be perceived as a weak move from his position.

When thinking about the Ouellet decision more closely, it seems a bit weird that Holland went over Babcock. The Red Wings were counted out by virtually everyone last season when injuries piled up, but Babcock was able to make it work.

He made the calls, he set the lines, and he got the most out of his players. Therefore, if Mike Babcock says that player X will make the team better, you make sure that player X is in the lineup. I don't want to speculate, but could this be a power move from Holland?

Could he be upset that Babcock didn't sign an extension, and over the fact that Babcock could be a "lame-duck coach?" It is still very, very early in the season, but as the year goes on, this will be a very interesting situation to monitor.

Ultimately Babcock is more than just a good coach, he's also an evaluator of talent and builder. Situations like this can be frustrating when you have a certain vision, and it gives credence to Elliotte Friedman's report from weeks ago that Babcock may not be able to pass up an opportunity to enter a Joe Sakic-like role. 

Like it was mentioned earlier, this may be a whole lot of something about nothing, but it certainly does poke the coals on the fire of the rumor about Babcock leaving after the season is over.

While this situation is far from being over, I leave you with this clip featuring NHL Hall of Famer Phil Esposito and former Maple Leafs general manager Bill Watters talking about why Babcock will be the coach of the Leafs next season.

Whether you agree or disagree with anything said here, I'd love to hear your feedback, because this certainly is a fascinating situation to monitor this season.