Report: Red Wings to announce Babcock extension

Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock (12/9/2014 in Detroit) (ClickOnDetroit.com)

DETROIT – Mike Babcock won't be leaving Detroit when his contract is up at the end of this season, according to the Windsor Star's Bob Duff. 

"According to multiple NHL sources familiar with the negotiations, the announcement could be imminent."

Recommended Videos



The Red Wings reportedly will announce a contract extension for the coach which would make him the highest-paid in the NHL. 

Babcock just earned his 500th and 501st victories this past weekend. The Red Wings are atop the Atlantic Division (and the entire Eastern Conference) with 40 points. In the West, only Anaheim has more points than Detroit with 43. 

After getting his NHL start as head coach in Anaheim, Detroit hired Babcock in 2005. He won a Stanley Cup in 2008 and returned to the finals in 2009. He's second only to Scotty Bowman with 64 playoff wins while behind Detroit's bench. Bowman has 86. 

The Red Wings dropped one in a shootout, 2-1, Wednesday night to the Toronto Maple Leafs.