Mike Babcock is believed to have spoken to the Maple Leafs about the possibility of coaching in Toronto next season, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger.

The Detroit Red Wings gave Babcock permission to talk to other NHL teams about coaching opportunities in a window that is open until May 25. That doesn't guarantee he is leaving Detroit, just that he is exploring his options.

"If there is a better situation out there for Mike Babcock, he's earned the right to explore that," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland told reporters on Friday. "We made a contract offer to Mike last June and couldn't find a solution. I went to him again in January and made another contract extension offer, and Mike felt, at that point in time, that he appreciated the offer but wanted to wait until the end of the year. That was the only conversation that we really had this winter.

"When we went to Grand Rapids (last weekend), spent four hours together in the car, we had a great talk. I told Mike that we'd like to re-sign him, we want him back. He would like the opportunity to explore any possibilities that are out there for him. Certainly, we are a possibility."

Besides Toronto and Detroit, the Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres are also believed to be possibilities for the veteran coach. 

Babcock, 52, has been head coach of the Red Wings for 10 seasons, leading them to a 458-223-105 regular season record and extending their NHL-leading streak of playoff appearances to 24 seasons.

He guided the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup in 2008 and to the Cup final the following season.

Prior to joining the Red Wings, Babcock spent two seasons with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, taking them to the Stanley Cup Final in 2002-03.  

His resume also includes impressive stints behind the bench on the international stage, coaching Canada to gold medals at the 1997 World Junior Hockey Championship, the 2004 World Men's Championship and Olympic gold at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.