‘Pegula made a very strong offer. I believe Babcock when he says there was no deal. He had every right to see if the Leafs could match or beat it. If the Sabres “misread” the situation, it was only in underestimating what the folks at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment had in mind – and Babcock’s desire to coach at the Centre of the Hockey Universe.’
Babcock simply played free agent game
Source: Buffalo News