...

Dude, the popcorn issue is real.

Ha! I get you. Used to be, at the Aud. I can't remember whom, but I recall a player talking up how good the popcorn was at the Aud when I was a kid.

Babcock to discuss quality of popcorn at Joe Louis Arena with Holland, speculation is that it's the pivotal issue.

Man, you need to relax and put on your summer-chillin' hat, because it's not worth it to get all worked up over this kind of banality. I said "seem desirable", which is pretty far from endorsing the socio/political conditions here and in Michigan, although Michigan, as a state, is better off, IMHO, than either California or NY. And since you're going to, once again, slam the "you don't know what he likes or thinks" card down forcibly upon the table, is there anything to suggest Babs "gives a crap" about scenic, sunset drives along the ocean? I mean, as much as I insinuated he would care about the socio/political aspects of his chosen new digs, you keep insinuating the aesthetics of the teams locale matter. Or, are neither of us insinuating anything and just offering our personal opinions, as if we were choosing for Babcock?

That part of the state is pretty, but the political/social environment makes NYS seem desirable.

To add, if you read the article, SJ isn't really Babcock's ideal situation: if he has a problem with the Wing's aging core, he'll have a similar problem in SJ. The owner is not likely to pony up the bread like Pegula can and will, and his buddy, McLellan, says SJ is in a "prolonged rebuild". Frankly, I don't care for California as a destination, let alone a state to consider living in, so, I would disagree that it's "by far the nicest location for non-hockey factors".

NO ONE EXPECTS 14 MINUTES OF PISSED-OFF GOALIES IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS THREAD!

Here's another thought I had on that goofy interview: maybe Babcock is doing Holland a solid. Perhaps Babs has made up his mind to leave, and Holland wanted him to go public with him to make it look like Babs decision was a labored one. By so doing, they make it look like the Wings organization is strong, and that Babs leaving wouldn't be the end of the world.

Just filling in the gaps in the storyline until we know the final outcome. Isn't that what the interwebz are for?

GoDD has made a good presentation on Disco Dan. If Babs doesn't come our way, I think Disco Dan would be the crazy, Hunter S. Thompson-esque move. That would rock in its own way.

I saw a UFO the other day. Just saying.

Why do the interview, then? And, when you're uncomfortable in front of a camera, or in any public-speaking type situation, normally you're going to lock on to something comfortable and familiar. He had Babs there the whole time and only looked at him once, maybe twice.

It struck me while I was watching the interview that Holland is letting Babcock test the waters early not only because it will end Babwatch as early as possible, but also, and perhaps mainly, as a play against Babcock. By letting him look, he is, in effect, saying "go ahead Babs, take a look around and see how good you have it." Holland knows Babcock - and Babcock's family - well. I bet he knows, or thinks he knows, all of the right buttons to push. I think this interview is part of that play. And, I'm going to surmise, but I would say that maybe part of Holland's obvious discomfort, and Babcock's steady confidence, during this interview, indicates that Holland may have gambled incorrectly with his play against Babcock. Holland was trying to sell the situation to Babcock even during that interview. I think money is an issue here, I think part of the play may have been to get Babcock to stay and give Detroit a little home-town discount, although still expecting to pay more. I wonder if Babcock, with all of the "car time" they had, revealed to Holland what he likes about, oh, say Buffalo, and how much Pegula may have offered. Hence, uncomfortable Holland on camera. I could be way off, too.

Running commentary as I watch this. GO! I don't see two men relating completely on the level, at all. There is tension there, mitigated by familiarity. I agree, Babcock looks torn, but if I could read between the lines, it's because Holland is saying they need to do some re-building to their core, and since they don't have the assets it will take a while. I think Babcock is torn because of loyalty and personal history, but it looks to me like he knows Detroit isn't going to be any more competitive than they are for a long time. Holland is barely looking at Babcock...and, come on, you work 10 years with a guy, talk to him "every day" and you're going to say you don't know what he's thinking? I get why he said that, but, again, reading between the lines, he's not looking at Babcock during this. Hmmm...not sure I like it when someone references themselves in the third person. Babs has done this a few times now. "I do want to be paid..." - yup. Holland is clearly uncomfortable during this. I have experience with media interviews...this guy is not comfortable. 18 minutes into the interview and Holland finally looks at Babs. Well, I finally get to see the "special, special thing" quote in context and the people bringing it up are way, way over-blowing its significance. Babcock is just stating the obvious by saying that, he has no extra special emotional commitment to the content of that quote. "Is change important to invigorate ya..." that right there is insight into what he's really thinking. I would say he must feel flat and stuck in a routine there if he's thinking about what will invigorate him. I do not agree with anyone saying this interview is definitive. Frankly, Babcock looks to me like a guy who is up for a change, but realizes he has it good where he's at in terms of career stability. I think, using Buffalo as the comparative, the idea of Buffalo and our roster, the organization, the Pegulas, and the money, all of that excites him - but he's weighing that against the hassle of moving, his loyalties, and uncertainly of whether the decision to go will be right for him in, oh, five years say. Again, Detroit is clearly in their own version of a rebuild. I think only Babcock really knows what that means, especially for himself. Did Larkin light a fire for him? I think what he's going to do, is he's going to go home and lay it all out to his wife and any other member of his immediate family and let them tip his decision either to stay or leave. BTW, thanks, Hoss, for the link. Don't know why it wasn't working for me earlier.

Keeping this thread up high, because the CHL lesson of keeping your chin up apparently doesn't apply to coaches. FWIW, I would be happy with a coach we referred to as "Disco Dan". But since GoDD is opening this up to other coaches...while I'm still not convinced Disco Dan is a Murray "I'll meet you at the bar after the game, Tim" kind of guy, I am definitely certain Torts and Murray would get along as well as Nolan and Murray got along.

Wish I could see this, but haven't found a linky yet. Are they showing it on the NHL network, or something, how is everyone else getting to see this. Am I stupid and just not looking in the right place. Hello? Testing...1...2...3...

So, maybe we wind up with Disco Dan by attrition.

Chabot or Carlo with 21. Bank on it, unless, of course, it's traded away.

I'm not overly fond of Tampa, but, God, I did not like watching NY play. So, I think I'm with Hoss and will look forward to a Tampa/Chicago SCF.

Well, I think it's safe to say that so far, all of the "zero f#$ks given" moves by Murray have felt really good. I can dig the argument to continue down that path since, again ...so far... it feels right.

I'm willing to be sold on Blysma, but I haven't seen anything that has won me over. He's charming on video, but, mmmm....still not sold.

Goes for Torts, too, although I think his rep is strongest amongst armchair GMs, and only ranks in the media as a source for season-long drama.

So, wait, we're supposed to be swayed by his YouTube savvy? Really?

Wait, if they could fly McLellan in, they would, or will, when he's available to do so. I think some of you folks might have too much time on your hands reading into things that are not reading-into-worthy. What I want to know is where the "Murray won't want to share power" meme has come from. It's ridiculous and I can't believe people are calling WGR and bringing it up as if it's a serious, real point.

Your argument is well made, but the supposition is that Babcock can't handle the "dirt horses". He's a smart fellow, I would have to think he knows what he would be getting into. This isn't Ruff we're talking about, here, or Nolan, for that matter. Indeed, you could actually say that what Babcock may want is a team like this, after having to coach a certain style all of these years. Maybe he's tired of the culture and style of play he has had in Detroit; kind of like having to eat steak and salad all of time. Maybe he wants BBQ brisket, nachos, and bacon burgers now.