Snider: Decision on Babcock up to Hextall

Mike Babcock is the only coach to lead teams to hockey's version of the triple crown - titles in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Olympics, and world championships. And, so, yes, with Babcock's Detroit Red Wings knocked out of the playoffs Wednesday, numerous teams are pursuing a man generally regarded as the league's best coach.

Does Ed Snider have a blank check ready?

Snider, chairman of the Flyers' parent company, Comcast-Spectacor, said that he didn't want to discuss Babcock or the coaching search, but that he was comfortable with whomever general manager Ron Hextall recommended.

"This is Ron Hextall's bailiwick, not mine," Snider said in a phone interview Friday from his California home. "He's the guy who is going to make the decision. If Ron Hextall decided he wanted to hire a certain person and I told him he couldn't, then I shouldn't have Ron Hextall as my GM, right?

"I don't ever veto a GM's choice," he added. "It's my job to be informed and I ask a lot of questions, but don't bring me into the coach's decision."

In other words, if Hextall, who has been mum on his coaching search, wants to hire the pricey Babcock, Snider will not stop him.

Hextall said he would like to have a coach in place before the June 26 draft. Babcock's contract expires June 30, but teams can get permission from the Red Wings to talk to him before that date. Whether Detroit grants that permission is another matter. The Red Wings want to retain Babcock.

During a news conference Friday, Babcock did not shed light on his future.

"I'm not trying to snow you," he told reporters. "I don't know."

Babcock, 52, said he will meet with Red Wings general manager Ken Holland during the next 10 days and sort things out. He said he wanted to talk things over with "my bride" and get a handle on the situation.

Last year, he rejected a four-year deal that would have paid him $3.25 million per season, according to the Detroit Free Press.

No matter where he signs, Babcock will become the highest-paid coach in NHL history. He said that he does not have the skill set to also serve as a general manager, and that he wants only to coach and have "input" on personnel decisions, as he does in Detroit.

Many insiders think Babcock will sever ties with the Red Wings.

The Flyers, Buffalo, San Jose, and Toronto have coaching openings, and New Jersey and Edmonton are among many other teams expected to make changes.

The Flyers, who dismissed Craig Berube on April 17, will have their third coach in three seasons.

The Flyers signed 6-foot-3, 210 pound defenseman Christian Marti to an entry-level contract, general manager Ron Hextall announced.

Marti, 22, is a native of Switzerland, where he has played in three of the last four seasons in the Swiss National League.