Hitchcock Gone?

[Axeman33]

There's going to be some big name coaches available this offseason. Going to be interesting to see where they all land.

I do think Hitch is gone in STL.

[blayze]

What's Babcock's motivation to go to Toronto? I don't see it, not with their current management hierarchy and power structure. I get Shanny is "The Guy" but ultimately there's a board of directors to answer to, and I just don't see Babcock liking that set-up. Just a gut call on my part.

...and no Mcdavid? I dunno.

Simple... guys like Babcock have achieved it all. They are driven by legacy and accomplishment... and what greater accomplishment is there than to say you ended a 48 year drought and won a championship for one of the most historic, iconic, franchises in the entire league?

[Bomm Bastic]

Simple... guys like Babcock have achieved it all. They are driven by legacy and accomplishment... and what greater accomplishment is there than to say you ended a 48 year drought and won a championship for one of the most historic, iconic, franchises in the entire league?

Well, the flip side to that is he doesn't need to prove anything. So why walk into a tumultuous situation onto a team being stripped for a rebuild, w/little top end talent in the cupboards, and have every move second guessed by Toronto media? I could be completely misjudging him, but I just don't see it being worth his while.

[Zorro]

I agree with Bomm here, not sure Babs wants to go to Toronto, not with how the team looks now anyway.. Maybe Eakins comes back to T.O.??

[STLblues]

Hitch would take the TML job....he took the CBJ and STL jobs when the teams were down and out.....Hitch is awesome at the turn around

[Bomm Bastic]

Hitch would take the TML job....he took the CBJ and STL jobs when the teams were down and out.....Hitch is awesome at the turn around

That I could see. Agreed.

[JagrBomb]

Hitch would take the TML job....he took the CBJ and STL jobs when the teams were down and out.....Hitch is awesome at the turn around

good for the first 3 years and then the players stop listening to him. he reminds me a bit of carlyle so im not sure if toronto would be a good fit, but cant argue against his resume.

[Bomm Bastic]

good for the first 3 years and then the players stop listening to him. he reminds me a bit of carlyle so im not sure if toronto would be a good fit, but cant argue against his resume.

Three years would be a good transition period for Hitch and the team. Then Shanny could decide to extend him or survey the open market. Trying to project any coach beyond beyond three or four years is difficult.

[Zorro]

Bring IRON MIKE back and have Torts be his assistant!! HaHa..

[STLblues]

Thoughts on Jeff Blashill as Hitch replacement? I know he has a lot of DET ties, but he has a budding young resume and maybe this core needs a 41 yr old coach. I feel very confident that Babcock stays in DET.

[4horsemen]

Well, the flip side to that is he doesn't need to prove anything. So why walk into a tumultuous situation onto a team being stripped for a rebuild, w/little top end talent in the cupboards, and have every move second guessed by Toronto media? I could be completely misjudging him, but I just don't see it being worth his while.

Same impetus that motivates the actions of most humans on the planet.....money! Toronto will offer him more than any other team in the NHL and there's nobody who doesn't like more money

[Bomm Bastic]

Same impetus that motivates the actions of most humans on the planet.....money! Toronto will offer him more than any other team in the NHL and there's nobody who doesn't like more money

Wanna bet...?

EDIT: and I disagree w/your general premise too.

[Mr. Guru]

Hitch is a great coach for the turnaround.

And Babcock to Toronto, in my opinion, is an underdog bet.

[STLblues]

does balysma land somewhere this summer?

[Jouko-Pouko]

Simple... guys like Babcock have achieved it all. They are driven by legacy and accomplishment... and what greater accomplishment is there than to say you ended a 48 year drought and won a championship for one of the most historic, iconic, franchises in the entire league?

Even if Babcock wanted to win the Stanley Cup in Toronto, he can still go somewhere else for the next 5 years and try winning it there first. Toronto is going nowhere fast; maybe in 2020 Babcock will consider Toronto if they get their team together by then.

Hitchcock to Toronto, that's much more realistic in my opinion.