Babcock Thinking About New Offer

Mighty Duck Coach Mike Babcock will take up to a week to decide whether to accept a one-year contract offered by new General Manager Brian Burke.

Babcock, whose contract expired Thursday, has been the Duck coach since 2002 and led them to the 2003 Stanley Cup finals. Burke said he would begin a search process for a new coach as a precaution.

This was first big step for Burke as general manager. He says he anticipates that the NHL season will begin on time in October -- negotiations between NHL and players’ union representatives continued to make steady progress Thursday. That would leave Burke a little more than two months to reshape the organization. Whether that will be with Babcock remains to be seen.

“I think Mike Babcock has done enough to deserve another chance to coach this team,” said Burke, who was hired June 20. “Typically, a new GM brings in a new coach. Mike deserves a better fate.”

Burke also said that interim general manager Al Coates has been offered a multiyear deal to remain with the team in hockey operations. Director of hockey operations Chuck Fletcher and assistant general manager David McNab will stay with the team, although they will be given different titles. Director of scouting Alain Chainey also will remain.

Bobby Brett, who represents Babcock, said that he would contact other clubs.

“Exploring what might be out there is only prudent,” Brett said. “We appreciate the offer on the table. It is Mike’s to turn down.”

Burke said that he couldn’t “see an advantage for the hockey club to go beyond a one-year contract.” But he added that if Babcock stays, “I assured him that if things are going well, we wouldn’t wait until the end of next season before we enter discussions on a new deal.”

Burke is a proponent of up-tempo hockey, and Babcock has coached a defensive style with the Ducks, mostly out of necessity because of the team’s personnel. The two met last week.

“Mike is confident he can play more up-tempo hockey, I am too,” Burke said. “But we have to work together to make sure we’re compatible.... It has to be a psychological and philosophical fit.”