Archives for May 22, 2015

'“I just don’t feel like making the list public,” he said. “I’ve talked to one or two before Mike. I’ve talked to guys during and since and will continue to do so.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres moving on from Babcock in coaching search

'A source familiar with the Leafs’ negotiations said another key factor was that the Leafs front-loaded Babcock a bucket of money in the first two years of the deal, believed to be $8 million per season. The Sabres were not doing that as part of a long-term deal.' … [Read more...] about Babcock simply wanted Toronto over any other

'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