Mike Babcock’s coaching contract with the Maple Leafs has "suddenly and dramatically altered the financial outlook for his NHL counterparts" and is a "rising tide that floats all boats for his brethren," according to Donna Spencer of the CP. CAA Hockey Managing Dir J.P. Barry said, "I'm sure he got lots of thank-you notes from his peers. I think it absolutely changes the landscape for NHL coaches. I’d have to say it’s completely shifted." Spencer noted Babcock's average $6.25M salary over eight years "moves the needle on pay that was low compared to coaches in other North American pro sports, and salaries less than many NHL players." Octagon Hockey Dir Allan Walsh in an e-mail wrote, "A new arms race among head coaches has commenced. The starting gun has gone off." Spencer noted Babcock's "unique situation created the new money benchmark." Given the "job insecurity of an NHL head coach, not many are willing to test the open market." Former Avalanche GM Francois Giguere said, “Historically in the industry, coaches and general managers sit down to negotiate an extension a year before the contract is over. My experience has been that getting that security is important for coaches. My feeling is that you will not see more of a free-agent scenario" (CP, 5/21). In Vancouver, Cam Cole writes the salary scale has "suddenly jumped the shark." But Hockey HOFer Scotty Bowman, the "greatest coach in NHL history, isn't convinced it's a whole new world" for coaches. Bowman said, "For some (it will be). Not for all of them. There's always coaches in the league who have higher stature than others" (VANCOUVER SUN, 5/22). Canucks GM Jim Benning said Babcock's contract "changes the landscape." Benning: "It's going to make the cost of coaches go up so, you're going to have to develop good, young coaches" (VANCOUVER SUN, 5/22).
