Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock has been behind the bench for the team since the 2005-06 season and has led the franchise to the postseason in every campaign he's overtaken, but his contract is set to expire at the end of the 2014-15 season.
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Babcock remains hopeful that the two sides will work something out for him to remain head coach for the Red Wings beyond this season, but he will not have discussions with general manager Ken Holland once the Detroit's season opens up against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 9.
"I don't think it's going to be my final year here. If it is, it is," Babcock told NHL.com after the morning skate at Joe Louis Arena, where the Red Wings eventually shutout the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0 on Monday night. "I've tried to live my whole life in the present, so what happened yesterday doesn't matter. What we're doing today does matter and we'll get on with it tomorrow. I'll get up every day and try as hard as I can, as I always have."
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Babcock's current streak of postseason appearances is a part of the Red Wings' historic run of making the playoffs in 23 straight seasons. Babcock coached the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup in 2008 and another Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2009 while he was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's best coach last season.
On top of his success in the NHL, Babcock has led Team Canada to the Gold Medal in the 2010 Vancouver and 2014 Sochi Olympic Games.
There has been dialogue between Babcock and Holland during training camp, but nothing has materialized regarding a deal. Babcock understands it's just business.
"My relationship with my general manager is such that the grass isn't greener on the other side," Babcock said. "So I understand that totally, so I imagine that will get worked out."
Babcock told the Red Wings' website that he's not too worried about getting the extension done before the season and he doesn't feel like it will be a distraction.
The Red Wings are coming off of a 2013-14 campaign that saw them move to the Eastern Conference and finish in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 39-28-15 record and 93 points.
Detroit notched a wild-card berth before falling to the Bruins in five games in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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