Report: Babcock, Red Wings trying to nail down contract extension prior to opening night
Less than 24 hours after Detroit Red Wings head coach reaffirmed his confidence that he would remain with the club beyond this season, Darren Dreger of TSN reports the two sides are set to meet later this week with a view towards hammering out a contract extension prior to opening night.
Expectation in Detroit is Holland and Babcock will meet later this week or early next...latest. Offer will be presented at that time. Both sides are prepared. Babcock has a good idea of open market worth and Holland has ownership support to make a deal that makes sense ... Both sides also want a deal done by opening night, hence the obvious time-line of pending offer.
Babcock contends he's comfortable entering the season without a new deal and with his contract set to expire next summer. Based on the fact he's unwilling to negotiate in-season, it behooves both sides to reach an agreement in order to avoid a constant stream of speculation over the next seven-to-eight months.