The Detroit Red Wings have granted Mike Babcock permission to speak with other clubs.

Babcock's contract expires this offseason.

Babcock and general manager Ken Holland have agreed to a soft deadline of May 25 for the coach to pursue his options.

"We have a lot of respect for Mike. What he has done here over 10 years has earned him the right," Holland told ESPN.com on Friday.

The Toronto Maples Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks are all without coaches at the moment. Edmonton, which owns the No. 1 pick in the next draft, could be an option if the Oilers decide to move on from interim coach Todd Nelson.