With permission from the Detroit Red Wings, Babcock is a free agent embarking on a tour of teams eager and willing to hire the best coach available.

Those teams include the Wings. They want him to stay; he is willing stay. He has until May 25 to make up his mind.

MORE: Coaching changes | Offseason needs | Long-time players without a Cup

“People can read it into it what they want,” Babcock said, via the Detroit Free Press. “There is no decision made at all. We really like it here. My family loves Detroit. It’s way easier for my family to stay here, 100 percent easier. My kids are all going away, but they still want to come back to Detroit on Thanksgiving. They want to come back to Detroit in the summer to work out. So it’s way easier for them.”

Still, the chance to talk with other teams can’t be dismissed. Four teams have coaching vacancies — Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers. Add the New Jersey Devils, who spent most of last season with an interim triumvirate of Lou Lamoriello, Adam Oates and Scott Stevens behind the bench.

Ken Hitchcock’s contract is expiring, so the St. Louis Blues are likely to make an inquiry. Todd Nelson remains the Edmonton Oilers’ interim coach, but the team has interest in Todd McLellan and Babcock. The Boston Bruins are wondering whether to keep Claude Julien after sacking GM Peter Chiarelli.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS: Saturday’s games and odds | Action images | Highlight video

Other teams could well decide Babcock is too valuable to pass up. IThe Pittsburgh Penguins are among them, according to Sporting News’ Sean Gentille. Would the Pens send Mike Johnston packing to get Babcock?

Would the Anaheim Ducks, alive and vying for the Western Conference berth in the Stanley Cup finals, be willing to shoo off Bruce Boudreau?

If Darryl Sutter has worn out his welcome, the Los Angeles Kings could be in the market. Babcock’s name also is on the tip of French-Canadien tongues in Montreal.

There’s a school of thought that the New York Islanders want to upgrade from Jack Capuano, who got them to the playoffs but let the Isles slip. Babcock would be a quantum leap and a blockbuster addition for a team heading to a new home in Brooklyn.

After 10 years as coach, with a Stanley Cup and a second trip to the finals, Babcock sought and received permission to explore options outside Motown. GM Ken Holland and owner Mike Ilitch agreed they owe Babs the opportunity.

“I want Mike here if he wants to be here,” Holland said. “That’s always been my attitude with players and with personnel. If there is a better opportunity for you elsewhere, then you should probably pursue it.”

When he waved off contract talks last June and again in January, Babcock set his course to free agency. The Wings offered a four-year contract at $3.25 million a year. Babcock could get $4 million a year, and NHL brethren would smile. Why? They would be able to seek more.

“If Mike finds a better situation out there, I’m going to shake his hand and thank him for 10 fabulous years,” Holland said on a conference call Friday, according to The Detroit News.

If Babcock departs, the Wings will want a coach in place ahead of the NHL Draft, which begins June 24, and player free agency, starting July 1. Their most logical candidate is Jeff Blashill, coach of the Wings’ AHL Grand Rapids affiliate. Blashill knows the personnel, is a former Wings assistant and is viewed as a rising coaching prospect.

“I’m not going to grant anybody permission to talk to Jeff,” Holland said. Grand Rapids is “in the playoffs, so they’re going to play for another 10-12 days at least. I’m hoping Mike returns, but if Mike doesn’t return certainly Jeff Blashill will be one of the people I’m going to want to interview.”

But Blashill isn’t Babcock, who is 458-223-105 with 10 consecutive playoff appearances. Nobody is.

Scotty Bowman left the Wings after three Cups, just as he left the Montreal Canadiens after four consecutive Cups. No coach is irreplaceable.

Remember, the team that signs Babcock not only will hand him the keys to the vault, but will also send the Wings a third-round draft pick. Still, that’s a small price to pay for the best coach money can buy.