Updated: Mike Babcock And Sabres In Contract Talks

UPDATE: “The Associated Press is reporting that Mike Babcock is in contract negotiations with the Sabres. The AP says Babcock is speaking with General Manager Tim Murray. Sources have told me that Babcock is being careful to get a clear sense of how much say he’ll have in player personnel matters. Ted Nolan had no say and that would be a deal breaker for Babcock.” [WGR550]

If you are Mike Babcock you can’t go wrong this week. Babcock will have a final meeting with the Detroit Red Wings today and sit down with his family to hammer out his next move. It may seem odd to some but the Buffalo Sabres may have just landed their coach. It’s a toss up from the outside looking in, but there is nothing left for Mike Babcock in Detroit. Buffalo has young talent and a boat load of talent. It may be time for Babcock to shuffle off to Buffalo.

If Babcock does remain in the Motor City I think it will be a three or four year deal and he will make a few final attempts to win the Cup with “his” guys. There is no wrong choice here; it’s strictly a personal and profession decision.

We are in full effect. #Babwatch is upon us. (s/t @MikeDarnay) pic.twitter.com/TTog30OtAt
— Kyle M. (@KyleWIIM) May 15, 2015

Detroit would be the safe choice for Mike Babcock, and sometimes playing it safe is dull and lifeless. Buffalo is not a huge change from a location and life style point of view, and with the likelihood of coaching Jack Eichel Buffalo may just have a little edge here. Well, there’s an advantage if you are

More from Puck Prose

from Buffalo and are dreaming of Stanley Cup runs every night.

Babcock said on Monday. “I’ve talked to all the teams I’m talking to.” [PHT]

After ten years behind the same bench and “only” one Stanley Cup; the timing for a move seems right. The Red Wings are getting older and with the players on the Sabres roster it’s not too far-fetched to think Buffalo has a lot of draw. But with that said there is a ton of upside to not relocating a family and uprooting everything that he has built. I don’t envy Babcock right now.

This time tomorrow we could know how #BabWatch turns out. One city could get to keep their coach, while the other is left to search through the stack of fired coaches in hopes of finding the second best choice. The other ou come is Mr. Pegula has rented a Brinks truck and will make Mike Babcock a very, very rich man and change coaching salaries in the NHL forever.

What’s the best choice for Mike Babcock?