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Mike Babcock, Flyers' top choice for coach, vows job search nearly over

Red Wings gave coach till May 25 to consider other offers, but he said from Prague that he'll decide sooner what's best.

MIKE BABCOCK promises this will all be over within a week.

For the Flyers, the prospects of landing their No. 1 head-coaching candidate must seem at least a little dull, considering the optics of a 25-minute interview with TSN's Darren Dreger on Friday.

Babcock thoughtfully answered every question, but the NHL's most sought after free-agent coach in history did so while sitting next to Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland in a hotel room in Prague, where the two are scouting the World Championships.

Babcock, 52, was given a May 25 deadline from Holland to negotiate with other teams.

"To be honest with you, that date, to me, is going to be moved up," Babcock told TSN. "When I get home from [Prague on Sunday] and sit down . . . enough time already. Let's get on with it. I bet you by [May 20], I'm going to know what I'm doing."

Babcock confirmed he's received offers from multiple teams.

His current deal with Detroit expires on June 30. Any team seeking permission to court Babcock, including the Flyers, needed to sign a letter agreeing to the terms of compensation should they persuade him to leave: one third-round draft pick from any of the 2015 through '17 drafts.

Interestingly, the Flyers are not believed to have met with Babcock yet. He reportedly flew to Toronto to meet with one of his former players, Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan, about their opening last Friday. Babcock was also spotted in Buffalo last Sunday, touring the Sabres' updated facilities with owner Terry Pegula and GM Tim Murray, before taking off for the Czech Republic on Monday.

Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said through a team spokesman he was not attending the World Championships, even though Babcock and a slew of other coaching candidates and general managers were gathered there.

Despite that, speaking to those close to Babcock and other interested parties, many think he has narrowed his choice down to the Flyers or the Red Wings.

When pressed by Dreger, Babcock would not disclose either the teams or the number of teams to make contact. Hextall has remained tight-lipped.

"This has been an interesting process," Babcock said. "I've got to tell you, my head's spinning. I brought this on myself. I've learned a ton about myself. I've learned a ton about our relationship. I've learned a ton about franchises and the NHL, and it's been great.

"To say it's been fun, your head is spinning. When your situation has been as good as it's been in Detroit for me, there's not a better job. There's a different job."

Babcock said that one of the first things he asked Holland after the season was, "Have I worn out my welcome here?"

Babcock's situation is unique. He is the only hockey coach ever to win a Stanley Cup (2008), Olympic gold medal (2010, 2014, for Canada) and World Championship gold medal (2004).

"This is an opportunity for Mike to decide that we are the best fit," Holland said. "I don't want Mike to wake up and think maybe there's a better opportunity out there. This is a process to allow him to decide if there's a better fit for him out there, then he should pursue it. I'm hoping that we're the best fit."

So far, Holland has played all his cards right. He has been confident enough with the Red Wings' success - and rightly so, after 24 consecutive Stanley Cup playoff appearances - to allow Babcock the freedom to flirt. While in the Czech Republic, Holland and Babcock spent nearly six hours in the car together traveling from Prague to Ostrava to watch the other side of the bracket, talking about the Red Wings' future most of the way.

All of that paints a picture that, despite the full-court pressure from other teams, Babcock hasn't strayed very far mentally from the Red Wings.

Babcock used the word "glorious" to describe his 10 years in Detroit. He spoke glowingly of Holland, calling him a trusted adviser. Babcock mentioned his respect for owners Mike and Marian Ilitch. He paid homage to players Niklas Kronwall, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg for carrying him on their backs for a decade.

But Babcock said he is "doing what's right for Mike Babcock."

"The Ilitches have been very fair with Mike Babcock. I'm not concerned about that part, because anywhere you go, you're going to be paid," Babcock said. "I don't want to give the idea that I don't want to be paid. I do want to be paid. What I'm trying to say is, through Ken and my conversations, that's not going to be an issue in Detroit."

Most tellingly, Babcock acknowledged he hasn't spent much time thinking about goodbyes in Detroit. He said his relationship with Holland is "special," likewise about working for an Original Six franchise.

The Flyers - and the rest of the NHL - will have their answer soon enough.

"I think about lots of things," Babcock said. "I think about the opportunity to win. I think about my family, my time in Detroit. Is change important to invigorate you? I'm a big-picture guy, but I'm an immediate gratification guy, too, because I like winning. I've done enough thinking. It's time to make a decision here pretty quick."

Slap shots

Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn and Team Canada will face Czech Republic captain Jake Voracek and Jaromir Jagr Saturday in one semifinal of the World Championships. Canada beat Czech Republic, 6-3, on May 4 . . . Voracek is tied for ninth in tournament scoring with 10 points in eight games . . . Team USA will face Alex Ovechkin and Russia in the other semifinal Saturday. Both games will air on The Comcast Network, at 9 a.m and 1 p.m., respectively.

Blog: ph.ly/FrequentFlyers