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'We Got 10 Great Years' Says Red Wings General Manager Of Coach Babcock

DETROIT (WWJ) - "We got 10 great years," said the Detroit Red Wings General Manager about head coach Mike Babcock.

And now Babcock is leaving Hockeytown - signing on as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland spoke about the loss of Babcock, during a Wednesday press conference.

"I've got mixed emotions because he is one of the greatest coaches in the league, if not the greatest coach in the league," said Holland.

WWJ's Sandra McNeill said while Holland referred to Babcock as a friend - he said the organization wasn't committed to a deal extending beyond 5 years and wasn't going to match the deal Babcock struck with Toronto for 8 years and $50 million.

"I said, Mike the best I can do is five years, when you've been in the same city as long as I have, and as long as Mike has - you don't get much longer term than four or five years," Holland said.

Now it's on to the search for a new head coach, beginning with the Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Jeff Blashill once the playoffs are over.  Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Jeff Blashill

"We're going to go to work and we're going to try to beat Mike," he said.

Meanwhile fans are weighing in on the Babcock departure.

Paul Roach of Detroit said he's been a Red Wings fan since he was a young boy; how does he feel about Babcock leaving?

"I think it's terrible, I think it's a mistake -- we don't know why he's being cut loose or why he was chosing to leave."

Daniel Haay thinks the Wings will be just fine. "There is always some room for improvement. Maybe somebody else will come to Detroit and they'll do better next year."

Chad Berman of Birmingham congratulates Babcock on the move: "Good for him - kind of going home and that's something special for him and I think the Detroit fans, Hockeytown, I think we are ready for the next thing. Great for him, I hope we cheer him when he comes home."

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