s7ark
RIP
- Jul 3, 2003
- 27,579
- 174
First off, yes. Everyone knows the player situation need to be addressed. That is obvious regardless of who coaches.
But for coaching, as well as Nelson has done, Mike Babcock has to be the team's primary target for the offseason. Whatever it takes. It's rumoured he likes the role Roy has in Colorado where he gets some input on player decisions. If the Oilers offered him that, along with big bucks and long term, say 25-30M over 5y, would that be enough to lure him here?
As poorly as the Oilers have performed, to most that watch, it is less a problem with the core guys as the rest of the team. Adding a solid support structure around a core of Hall, RNH, Eberle, Yakupov, Draisaitl, the 2015 1st, Pouliot, Nurse, Klefbom and Schultz would dramatically improve the team in a hurry. Babcock would know that his reputation adds instant credibility to an organization and he'd have a say in choosing the players to fill around those young guys. He could rebound this Oilers quickly with some of the bigger names that might be willing to chase a coach like him to a young core like Edmonton's.
I expect TO is thinking something similar, and they do have deeper pocketbooks than the Oilers. But they are also further away from competing with their intention of selling off Kessel and Phaneuf, and entering a rebuild. Edmonton's, at least in theory, should be nearing its end. But the Oilers would still have to offer up beaucoup dollars to compete with a TO offer. Is 6M a year even enough? TO tossed 5M at Burke and they weren't half the mess they are now. I could see them offering a truly huge number. Maybe even 7 or 8. Hell would even 10 be that big a surprise?
How high do you thing Katz should go to get Babcock here?
Like I said near the top, my thoughts are whatever it takes.
But for coaching, as well as Nelson has done, Mike Babcock has to be the team's primary target for the offseason. Whatever it takes. It's rumoured he likes the role Roy has in Colorado where he gets some input on player decisions. If the Oilers offered him that, along with big bucks and long term, say 25-30M over 5y, would that be enough to lure him here?
As poorly as the Oilers have performed, to most that watch, it is less a problem with the core guys as the rest of the team. Adding a solid support structure around a core of Hall, RNH, Eberle, Yakupov, Draisaitl, the 2015 1st, Pouliot, Nurse, Klefbom and Schultz would dramatically improve the team in a hurry. Babcock would know that his reputation adds instant credibility to an organization and he'd have a say in choosing the players to fill around those young guys. He could rebound this Oilers quickly with some of the bigger names that might be willing to chase a coach like him to a young core like Edmonton's.
I expect TO is thinking something similar, and they do have deeper pocketbooks than the Oilers. But they are also further away from competing with their intention of selling off Kessel and Phaneuf, and entering a rebuild. Edmonton's, at least in theory, should be nearing its end. But the Oilers would still have to offer up beaucoup dollars to compete with a TO offer. Is 6M a year even enough? TO tossed 5M at Burke and they weren't half the mess they are now. I could see them offering a truly huge number. Maybe even 7 or 8. Hell would even 10 be that big a surprise?
How high do you thing Katz should go to get Babcock here?
Like I said near the top, my thoughts are whatever it takes.
