Mike Babcock Teams Quotations

There are a whole bunch of teams right now that think they have an opportunity. Everybody looks at us and says, 'If they did it, we can do it.' The measure of a great coach, player and organization is the test of time. Being recognized as good isn't a one-time thing, so you have to hang around to earn that. That's what Detroit and New Jersey have done by each winning three Cups in a 10-year span. If you want to be a benchmark team, you have to do it again.

Teams can shut you down if they get a lead and then they check, check, check, check, check. Well if we come out and get going, they've got to open it up to try to score. So that's a real focus for us - we have to start good.

That's what the new (salary-cap) system is all about, isn't it? It makes everyone the same. The teams that play the best will win. The bottom line is how do you handle it, and compete, and how do you allow your game to come out. That's the challenge for everyone.

Not many teams can lose a stud like that and keep going.

If you look at the West, the teams one through eight, or even one to 10, I don't think there is anyone you'd like to play in the playoffs. I don't think there will be a clear favorite.

The idea you've seen this movie before, I don't know anything about it. This team's much different than the teams in the past. If you ask my guys they believe in their hearts they're going to have success.