Predicting the Next Head Coach for Each Loser of the Mike Babcock Sweepstakes

Mike Babcock made his decision, and despite a massive financial offer he isn’t taking his talents to South Beach. The Toronto Maple Leafs landed the highly coveted bench boss and will be paying him a sizable stipend per year to stand behind the bench at the Air Canada Centre.

Babcock may officially be off the market, but there are still a number of teams who are in need of a head coach. The San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings were also in talks with the Leafs’ newest head coach, and they all will need to go in a different direction.

There is still some uncertainty with a couple of active head coaches, but here are some predictions for the losers in the Mike Babcock sweepstakes.

Buffalo Sabres

Andre Ringuette/Getty Images

Potential Fits: Luke Richardson, Paul MacLean, Claude Julien (if fired) and Claude Noel

The Sabres thought they were going to land Mike Babcock, and it was a situation in which owner Terry Pegula’s money wasn’t enough to seal the deal. Not getting Babcock is a sizable blow, but the foundation for the franchise’s future success is set.

Jack Eichel is likely to be drafted No. 2 at the draft, Evander Kane is a talented goal scorer and Sam Reinhart is just one of the many prospects who will join the roster in the coming seasons.

It goes without saying that the franchise will look to add an amazing head coach after missing out on Babcock, but who should be the team’s next head coach?

Prediction: Luke Richardson

Richardson has a relationship with general manager Tim Murray that goes back to Murray’s days in the Ottawa Senators organization. The Sabres are going to be a young, talented team in transition over the next couple of years, and in many ways it makes sense to hire a coach who has a background in player development.

He spent over 1,000 games in the NHL as a player, and he has an eye for what it takes to have success at the NHL level. Richardson's name isn’t popular and he doesn’t have the reputation that someone like Babcock, but he has the makings of becoming a good NHL coach who helps the Sabres turn into a contender in the Eastern Conference.

Detroit Red Wings

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

Potential Fits: Jeff Blashill, Paul MacLean and Peter DeBoer

Replacing Mike Babcock will be tough, but the Red Wings had to assume that this was coming at some point. General manager Ken Holland says there will be a short list of candidates, and they are going to explore a number of options. The Wings are going to look to make the right move to replace Babcock, but what direction should they go in?

Prediction: Jeff Blashill of Grand Rapids Griffins 

Via MLive.com beat writer Ansar Khan, current AHL coach Jeff Blashill will be on a list of candidates that may include two or three more names. Blashill should be the man who takes over for Babcock, because he is a talented coach with a bright future. Winging It In Motown had a great breakdown of Blashill and his history, and I suggest you check it out for an expansive look.  

In short, Blashill coached the Grand Rapids Griffins to a Calder Cup in 2013, and the Red Wings current roster features a number of players who have come through the minors. His familiarity with the players and process is a plus, and it is something that gives him a leg up on other candidates.

While Blashill should be considered the odds on favorite, I wouldn’t put it past Holland to interview former Wings assistant Paul MacLean, especially when you consider what he did with the Ottawa Senators to win a Jack Adams Trophy. MacLean would be a nice fit, but it isn't worth losing Blashill over.

The Wings have prevented NHL teams from interviewing Blashill in the past, per The Score, so it would be a major surprise if he was passed over for the head coaching vacancy.

San Jose Sharks

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Potential Fits: Dan Bylsma, Peter DeBoer, Roy Summer and Adam Oates

The Sharks and Todd McLellan mutually ended their relationship after the franchise missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. McLellan landed on his feet with the Edmonton Oilers, and he will be tasked with turning around a team that will be headlined by Connor McDavid.

San Jose has a talented roster that is full of veterans and youth, so it will make sense to add a coach who has experience but isn’t afraid to give his young players a chance. There are a number of qualified candidates including names not listed above, but who should be the team’s next head coach?

Prediction: Dan Bylsma

Bylsma got his start with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate and moved up to take over a Pittsburgh Penguins team full of star power. The experience gained during his time in Pittsburgh would enable him to coach players such as Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski, and he should be a good person to have around as youngsters like Tomas Hertl and Nikolay Goldobin develop.

The Sharks are a good team, and picking the right coach is key. The team has to find a way to win a Stanley Cup, and Bylsma could be the voice that helps get everyone back on the same page and over the hump in the postseason.

St. Louis Blues

Bill Wippert/Getty Images

Potential Fits: Dan Bylsma, Randy Carlyle, Adam Oates and Claude Julien (if fired)

Ken Hitchcock is currently the head coach of the Blues, but there are no guarantees that he will return next season. According to beat writer Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, both general manager Doug Armstrong and Hitchcock met on Wednesday, but there were no new developments.

Rutherford feels that if Hitchcock were to return it would have been announced after the Blues failed to land Babcock. With the premise that Hitch is going to leave the Blues, who should be the next bench boss in St. Louis?

Prediction: Claude Julien

The Boston Bruins introduced Don Sweeney as the franchise’s new general manager on Wednesday. He was asked by the media about the status of head coach Claude Julien. According to numerous reporters, including Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald, his response was that Julien is the head coach today.

Sweeney's non answer could be interpreted as a sign that Julien won’t be coming back, and in that case the Blues should be all over him. Julien is a successful championship coach, and he would be able to join a Blues team that has some similarities to the Bruins.

The current Blues play a two-way game, have a solid defense and a sprinkling of high-end offensive talent. At this stage the Blues need to bring in another coach with experience, and Julien would be an amazing addition for Armstrong.