Stunned - Mike Babcock Relieved of Duties
Holy crap, what crazy news to start the month. In a move reminiscent of the New Jersey Devils, Mike Babcock has been fired by the Wings just a week before the playoffs with Jeff Blashill taking the reins. Here's Ken Holland explaining the move:
We certainly appreciate what Mike has done for our program over the past six years, but we weren't very comfortable with the direction of the team and decided a change was needed. We like our team this year and think that under Jeff's guidance, we have a great chance to go far into the playoffs.
Wow. Just wow. I'm not even sure where to start. There clearly has been some conflict in the past between Babcock and Holland, particularly over the handling of some players such as Lieno and Hudler, but I didn't think it would come to this.Hit the jump for more.
A bigger reason for the change has to be the team's lack of performance lately. Detroit's March was horrific and nothing Babcock did seemed to chance it.
I guess even more surprising is the timing of this. Only a week before the playoffs? Holland again on this point:
This move was not in our plans, but with the recent results, it had to be done. We held a meeting with our entire management and coaching staff and, after a lot of discussion and perusing of blog posts, we came to the conclusion that this was the right move.
Never to let a topic go untouched, Jim Devellano gave us a bit more:
Really, we weren't going to make any move until we read a fan's opinion on a blog roundtable regarding Mike's performance. This fan, who goes by the strange name of Twig, went through all sorts of issues that Mike has mishandled over the past few years. Needless to say, he as convincing. I bet you don't know this Helene, but we get almost all of our ideas from fan blogs. Modano? Blog. Quincey? Blog. Hell, even drafting Brenden Smith was done because a buddy of mine suggested it.
Interesting. Even after all these discussion, I don't know what I think about this. Your thoughts?
That's brutal! haha, it's April 2nd here. I just woke up and read that, my jaw might've dropped a bit.
April fools....hahaha.....This would never happen...what dowe look like the Caps.
My heart just broke, momentarily, until I remembered what day it was! So not funny guys!
My heart just broke, momentarily, until I remembered what day it was! So not funny guys!
Not cool man, not cool. I almost started crying. This wasn't funny, that's just plain cruel...but nice picture to add to the effect.
Not cool man, not cool. I almost started crying. This wasn't funny, that's just plain cruel...but nice picture to add to the effect.
Thanks for the laugh. Believe me, my heart stopped for a second. But only for a second. LMAO
"I bet you don't know this Helene, but we get almost all of our ideas from fan blogs." Best comment ever!!!!!!!
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I love this picture of Babbles. He's so pissed even his chin is frowning. I wonder who's the target of the death-stare... Pierre?
When I first saw the headline on Facebook, I was like, "Whaa..??...Ohhhh, wait.." Nice one. Speaking of April Fools pranks, did anyone do any good ones (other than this post), or were you on the receiving end of a prank? My husband and I Saran Wrapped the doorway to my 12 year old son's bedroom. I did put Saran Wrap over the toilet too, but then thought better of it. Not a mess I wanted to clean up...
Wow I can't believe I actually fell for this. Got me. But that said I was kind of happy that management was trying to do something to change the Wings. They need a big change but maybe not a coach change a week before playoffs.
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I'm done with the wings after this move... Now I'm off to register with Fear the Fin... Geez I hope they make the playoffs...
The weird part for me was that I knew this was a joke right away...
But I couldn't help but hope a little that it was true... But maybe Babs will prove himself again in the playoffs.
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I really fucking hate April Fool's Day. It took me a minute to remember the date. Jerks. *wink*
Once I clicked the link and it brought me to the regular MLive site without an actual article on this, I knew it was a prank. But I was legitimately confused.
i googled it and there was nothing about it....good joke guys you really had me freaked out for a second...
If this is not an April Fools thing, I'm calling the ambulance right now to haul my seizing body to the hospital.
