It was reported Sunday that the Buffalo Sabres were among the "top contenders" for possibly soon-to-be former Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock. Considering the report, which came from the notoriously plugged in Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, also named the Wings and the Flyers as "top contenders" there really wasn't much to be gleaned from it other than that the Sabres, like probably every other NHL team with a head coaching vacancy, were showing some level of interest in Babcock.
On Monday though, something of a bombshell dropped.
According to a report from the Associated Press, Babcock flew to Buffalo this weekend in order to meet with GM Tim Murray and the Sabres owners, the Pegulas.
"Mike Babcock met with Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula on Sunday to discuss a possible future with the organization, according to the Associated Press," reads the report, via NHL.com.
"Babcock flew to Buffalo on Sunday and spent the afternoon with Pegula and general manager Tim Murray."
The Sabres, of course, fired former head coach Ted Nolan on April 12.
When approached by reporters, Babcock reportedly refused to comment on his visit.
The Sabres, Wings and Flyers likely comprise only a small portion of the teams interested in adding Babcock - the Maple Leafs, Devils and Sharks have likely tossed their hats in the ring as well.
The Oilers were almost assuredly interested at first but are reportedly concerned over waiting on Babcock only to eventually be let down.
If the Sabres are able to add Babcock, they'll have to surrender a third-round pick sometime in the next three years as part of a compensation letter they signed in order to speak to him in the first place.
