History, money might make Buffalo front-runner for Mike Babcock
The most coveted coach in the NHL, current Detroit head coach Mike Babcock, isn't even unemployed yet, but fanbases are already fighting over his services. Rumor has it that the Maple Leafs desperately want Babcock, but the Buffalo Sabres might be a great contender as well.
Babcock, whose contract with the Red Wings expires this year, has a history with Buffalo general manager Tim Murray, as both worked for the Anaheim Ducks back in the early 2000s. And according to TSN's Bob McKenzie, Buffalo owner Terry Pegula won't be concerned about staying on budget, meaning Buffalo can likely outbid anyone else in the hunt for Babcock.
But there could be some road blocks that would keep Babcock out of Buffalo. According to Joseph Vita DeLuca of The Hockey Writers, the Sabres status as a rebuilding team with a roster heavily controlled by its GM could be a detractor for Babcock.
"The biggest stumbling block, however, is that Babcock will likely want to sign on with an instant Stanley Cup contender," DeLuca wrote. "The Sabres are probably 3-4 years from being there, and that’s only if everything goes according to plan. To counter that, the Sabres are positioned to eventually be a contender for many years and the organization boasts one of the most impressive prospect pools in the NHL."
Sabres fans will have to wait to see if Babcock even leaves Detroit. His Red Wings currently are leading the Tampa Bay Lightning, three games to two, in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
(h/t The Hockey Writers)
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