Archives for May 2015

'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.' … [Read more...] about Babcock simply played free agent game

'“I talked to lots of teams, and when you’re talking to teams, negotiation is in that process,” Babcock said this morning during his introductory news conference at the Air Canada Centre. “The hardest thing for the media to do was to figure out where I was going, because I had no idea where I was going … because it was a hard decision. We … went back and forth so many times … [Read more...] about Mike Babcock, Tim Murray deny coach had deal to lead Sabres

'Asked by representatives of the Buffalo News and Buffalo station WGRZ-TV about whether a deal was signed and if he had lied to the Sabres, Babcock replied: “That ‘lying’ word is an interesting word. I’ve been in the public eye for a long, long time and I don’t think that goes anywhere near who I am or what I’m about.”' … [Read more...] about Babcock denies deal done with Sabres

'"We changed our mind, no a change of mind. We went back and forth so many times what the right thing was to do. If you think (Sabres owner) Terry Pegula isn't a star you're mistaken or that Mike Babcock and (Buffalo general manager) Tim Murray didn't have a great relationship, that's wrong too. "In the end I wanted to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs and my family, this was the … [Read more...] about Mike Babcock denies using Buffalo Sabres to secure better deal with Toronto Maple Leafs

'As far as the team moving forward, Bulldog wondered if Murray had a profile he’s looking for in his next head coach. He said, “No, I’m open minded about coaches, how does a guy like Mike Babcock get his start unless you are open minded. I guess there’s a possibility that I could interview a couple of guys for Rochester and be really impressed and maybe consider them for here, … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Tim Murray discusses Babcock

'The Sabres never entered a bidding war with the Leafs, a source with knowledge of the negotiations said. They were confident of their offer and waited for Babcock’s answer. They got it at 11:35 a.m., according to ESPN. It was not the answer they expected, leading to speculation that Babcock merely turned Buffalo’s offer into a more preferred one with Toronto.' … [Read more...] about Babcock falls to the Leafs

'This is not a massive defeat for the Sabres at all. They went head-long into a big-money derby and, by any measure, did all they could to get Babcock. You offer to make someone the highest-paid coach in NHL history and he doesn’t come, that’s on him. You did all you could.' … [Read more...] about Sabres did all they could to bring Babcock to Buffalo

'The Sabres weren’t ready to win, either, but prevailing wisdom said they were relatively close, and that Babcock could preside over a rapid rise in the standings and look good bringing along all that young talent. That and Pegula’s deep pockets seemed like an irresistible lure for the 52-year-old Babcock.' … [Read more...] about Losing Babcock to Toronto definitely hurts

'For one of the few times since he bought the team in 2011, Sabres owner Terry Pegula didn’t get what he wanted. Pegula and his wife, Kim, whose hiring of Rex Ryan to coach the Bills has been a hit, wooed Babcock when he visited Buffalo on May 10. The Sabres, according to multiple reports, felt confident earlier this week they had landed their man and were angry Babcock picked … [Read more...] about Mike Babcock picks Leafs over Sabres, lands massive contract

'Another report out of the Queen City said the Sabres were poised to have a press conference as early as Monday to introduce Babcock, with owner Terry Pegula’s money just too enticing to ignore.' … [Read more...] about Sabres reportedly ‘livid’ over losing Babcock to Leafs

'Potential candidates include former NHL coaches Dan Bylsma and Paul MacLean, and minor-league coach Luke Richardson.' … [Read more...] about AP source: Buffalo Sabres out of running for Mike Babcock

'The Sabres now feel played as it seems like Babcock took the offer to Toronto last night or this morning. The Leafs were willing to let him make player personnel decisions while the Sabres were willing to make sure he was in on the conversations. The Sabres are now really wondering if he was planning on the Leafs all along.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ feel burned by Babcock

'Amazingly, his time in Pittsburgh is still talked about as disappointing considering Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were on the roster, but the 2014-15 Penguins’ struggles and first-round-out made it apparent that the problems went deeper than coach.' … [Read more...] about Bylsma highlights list of Sabres coaching candidates

'Money was merely one factor in Babcock’s decision, but it’s an important one on several levels. In addition to adding to his own bank account, Babcock has talked often of boosting the salaries of NHL coaches. The source inside that fraternity said Babcock doesn’t understand why hockey coaches are paid so much less than their professional sports counterparts. By accepting the … [Read more...] about Mike Babcock is weighing a lucrative offer from the Sabres

'The NHL playoffs lose their charm for me when the Sabres aren’t involved. It’s not just the games, but the way the community gets caught up in a playoff run in the spring. There’s an inexorable momentum that pulls in marginal fans. People become emotionally invested in the team over a series of weeks.' … [Read more...] about Briere-Drury playoff thrills are a distant memory