We reported earlier today that Mike Babcock had been granted permission to listen to offers from other teams, and now we know why.
According to a report from Helen St. James of the Detroit Free Press the Red Wings general manager made not one but two offers to Mike Babcock over the past week, Despite those offers Mike Babcock made it clear he wants to explore free agency to see what the other teams in the NHL are prepared to offer him.

One of those offers is believed to have been one that would have made Mike Babcock the highest paid coach in the entire National Hockey League but it still wasn't enough to get him to sign on the dotted line. According to Nick Kypreos the Red Wings are not willing to match the massive offers some other teams will reportedly put on the table for Babcock.
While nothing is anywhere near official this would seem to indicate that Mike Babcock has already made up his mind and intends to sign somewhere other than Detroit.
