Babcock Gets Extension, Still NHL’s HighestPaid Coach

Babcock Gets Extension, Still NHL’s Highest-Paid Coach
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The Detroit Red Wings have given head coach Mike Babcock a contract extension through the 2014-2015 season, which keeps Babcock the NHL’s highest-paid coach with an annual salary around $2 million. Babcock is at the start of his sixth season leading the Red Wings. While the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in Babcock’s third year and lost in the Finals in his fourth, the team managed only 102 points last season, Detroit’s lowest total since 1998-1999.

Red Wings senior vice president Jim Devellano is a big fan of Babcock:

Mike has done a terrific job. [Red Wings general manager Ken Holland], who is also under contract through 2014-2015] did a good job in choosing Mike. It was Kenny’s choice, and it was outstanding. Mike’s record speaks for itself – a Cup and a very close miss. He’s consistently had over 100-point seasons. It’s well deserved.

In his first four years as Red Wings coach, Babcock also became the first NHL coach to lead his teams to four consecutive seasons with at least 50 victories. (Keep in mind, that’s easier to do now that there are shootout wins instead of ties.) Even though Detroit only won 44 games last season, his overall regular season record behind the Detroit bench is awfully impressive — 259-101-52. The Red Wings also won the President’s Trophy for having the NHL’s best record under Babcock in 2006 and 2008.

Babcock also coached Team Canada to Olympic gold last year in Vancouver, and was a finalist for the Jack Adams coach of the year award in 2007. He’ll turn 48 next April.