EDMONTON — Now that Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock and general manager Ken Holland have decided on a trial separation, with Holland granting his under-contract bench boss permission to look around at other job opportunities, the Edmonton Oilers may see if there’s the potential for a relationship.
It better be speed dating, because Babcock, the two-time gold-winning Canadian Olympic team coach and Stanley Cup winner, is the best-looking free-agent on the open market.
The Oilers have a good coach in interim man Todd Nelson, of course. Nelson did a fine job when he replaced Dallas Eakins last December, with the players buying what he was selling.