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Zetterberg: Babcock leaving Detroit was best for both sides

Stanley Cup Finals - Detroit Red Wings v Pittsburgh Penguins - Game Six

Stanley Cup Finals - Detroit Red Wings v Pittsburgh Penguins - Game Six

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Henrik Zetterberg doesn’t exactly sound heartbroken about Mike Babcock’s departure from the Detroit Red Wings’ bench.

Perhaps that boils down to hearing the sound of Babcock’s voice for a decade.

“There’s a lot of guys in here who’ve been through the same stuff for many years,” Zetterberg told MLive.com on Thursday. “I think now with the additions of Green and Richards, and the new coach, it’s given us a little fresh start. Obviously, it’s going to be a different voice behind the bench and sometimes you need that.”

Jeff Blashill replacing Babcock as head coach isn’t the only thing that excites Detroit’s verstaile captain.

The 34-year-old also praised Mike Green as “the kind of defenseman we didn’t have” and seems happy about gaining another veteran voice in Brad Richards.

Considering the Red Wings’ recent - relative - struggles (especially two straight first-round exits and just one series win since 2011-12), one might also do the math about Zetterberg’s advancing age and what may appear to be diminishing returns.

Of course, with Pavel Datsyuk possibly out for a big chunk of the regular season and Babcock gone, many will shine the spotlight of blame on Zetterberg if the slightly-new-look Red Wings sputter early on.