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Babcock says coaching Detroit is ‘pretty hard to beat’

Mike Babcock

Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock, center, works behind the bench during the first period of the Winter Classic outdoor NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

AP

Via Kukla’s Korner, here’s Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock today on Sportsnet590 The FAN radio:

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(Fast forward to around the 5:10 mark for the discussion about his future.)

For those wondering why this is relevant, there’s been all sort of speculation the past few days about Babcock’s future in Detroit, much of it stemming from comments he made Tuesday.

From the Associated Press:

Mike Babcock insisted being a lame-duck coach next season for the Detroit Red Wings would not be a problem for him.

Babcock has one year left on his contract, and told reporters on Tuesday that getting a new deal this offseason is not a priority.

“When you’re at the stage of my career that I am, I’m real comfortable with whatever they want,” he said. “I want them to be happy. If they’re not happy, then I’m not happy.

“I can go year to year.”

But worried Wings fans, take heart -- Babcock today called his situation in Detroit “pretty hard to beat,” with a “great owner,” an “outstanding general manager,” “unbelievable depth of prospects” in Grand Rapids, and “real good relationships” with his veteran stars.

Plus, he said his wife likes it where they are.

Bottom line: Babcock knows how good he’s got it, and he’s not going to leave the Wings without a lot of thought.