Babcock Watch: Buffalo bucks up Live
We are in the final hours of the Babcock Watch. As predicted by ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, the Buffalo Sabres are making it very, very hard for Detroit Red Wings Mike Babcock to stay put in Motown.
The Blues made a pitch for Babcock. So did the San Jose Sharks. The Toronto Maple Leafs were another obvious option.
But the Sabres have crazy money. Owner Terry Pegula just doesn't care about budgets. He is a billionaire.
That early speculation of a $50 million offer for Babcock might not be so crazy after all. Remember, this is a franchise that made fading third-line forward Ville Leino rich.
A top coach to mold a team with lots of good young players . . . yeah, that is a much better investment. The Red Wings have the money to keep Babcock, but they also have emerging coach Jeff Blashill ready to step up and lead the guys he developed at Grand Rapids.
As for the Blues, the don't have a great Plan B that we know of, should Babcock land in upstate New York.
Here is what the Twitterverse is saying about all of this:
The Blues made a pitch for Babcock. So did the San Jose Sharks. The Toronto Maple Leafs were another obvious option.
But the Sabres have crazy money. Owner Terry Pegula just doesn't care about budgets. He is a billionaire.
That early speculation of a $50 million offer for Babcock might not be so crazy after all. Remember, this is a franchise that made fading third-line forward Ville Leino rich.
A top coach to mold a team with lots of good young players . . . yeah, that is a much better investment. The Red Wings have the money to keep Babcock, but they also have emerging coach Jeff Blashill ready to step up and lead the guys he developed at Grand Rapids.
As for the Blues, the don't have a great Plan B that we know of, should Babcock land in upstate New York.
Here is what the Twitterverse is saying about all of this:
Six or seven years at $5-$5.5M plus bonuses. #Sabres have to have rest of NHL blanching at impact on coaching salaries if this happens.
May 19, 2015
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Just spoke with Mike Babcock: ``I hope to make a decision by morning, but I’m still very much undecided.''
May 19, 2015
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Source says #Sabres have not given Babcock a timetable to accept their long term offer to be next head coach. #NHL
May 19, 2015
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Based on Pegula's history, I assume Babcock is getting $50 million to be Sabres' second-line center, having never played the position before
May 19, 2015
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Source inside Sabres suggests that it's "50-50" that Babcock agrees to terms with Buffalo.
May 19, 2015
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
For what it's worth, Rex Ryan on @WGR550 today: "If Babcock met with the Pegulas, I don't see how he doesn't come to Buffalo." #Sabres
May 19, 2015
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
If Babcock indeed leaves for Buffalo, the reason will be obvious: He was sick of Detroit winters.
May 19, 2015
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
1. Sabres sign Babcock for $50M.
2. Babcock buys Coyotes, moves them to Emma Lake, Sask.
3. Quits Sabres, coaches Yotes from vacation home.
May 19, 2015
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
