Detroit Red Wings head coach Dave Lewis will not be at the helm of the club in 2005-06 if and when the NHL's labor impasse gets resolved. Today, Detroit announced that Lewis, whose contract expired June 30, would not return as head coach.
Lewis took over as head coach after the retirement of Scotty Bowman in 2002. His regular season record was a more than respectable 96-42-21-6 but it was Detroit's failures in the post season that spelled the end for Lewis.
In 2003, the Red Wings were swept by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the first round of the playoffs. In 2004, the Calgary Flames upset Detroit in six games in the second round.
Lewis has been with the Red Wings organization in some capacity since 1987. He served as an assistant coach under Jacques Demers, Bryan Murray and Bowman before finally being made head coach in 2002.
Mike Babcock, who led the Mighty Ducks to the Stanley Cup finals in 2003 is rumored to be the top candidate to replace Lewis. Babcock's contract with the Ducks expired June 30 and he has declined to sign an extension. Babcock has a history with the Detroit organization having once coached their minor league affiliate.
