Updated:
Mike Babcock spoke briefly with a couple of reporters regarding his employment status on Tuesday afternoon. He also sent text messages back and forth with a few media members on Tuesday afternoon.
"I'll know in the morning," Babcock wrote in a text to The Detroit News.
Babcock told ESPN.com he'd make a decision this morning,
"but I'm still very much undecided."
While Babcock was engaged in the process of weighing his career options, his boss Ken Holland was locked in his glass case of emotion. According to several reports, Holland did not answer phone calls, emails, or texts on Tuesday.
If I were a Red Wings fan, I would be very concerned right about now.
Sabres owner Terry Pegula is said to be offering Babcock a total compensation package in excess of $45-$48 million $50 million. It's said to be a seven year contract in the $6 million oper year range with bonuses for achieving goals such as taking the Sabres to the Eatsern Conference Finals and the Stanley Cup Finals.
Holland's most recent contract offer is reportedly $3.25 million per year over a 4 or 5 year term.
Mrs. Babcock will likely be pleased with $48-ish million guaranteed from Buffalo rather than Detroit's $13- $15 million total.
Babcock, 52, met with Terry and Kim Pegula and Tim Murray in Buffalo on Mother's Day. Babcock was taken on a tour of Pegula's exquisitely designed HARBORCenter complex as well as the First Niagara Center. Later that night, the Pegula's private jet dropped off Babcock in Detroit. On May 11, he flew to the Czech Republic with Holland to watch Wings prospect Dylan Larkin play for Team USA at the IIHF Wolrd Hockey Championships,
Babcock met with Holland on Tuesday and, according to ESPN.com, exchanged emails with Sabres general manager Tim Murray.
Murray and Babcock worked together in Anaheim from 2002-04 when Babcock coached the Ducks.
According to the AP, a person familiar with the discussions said Babcock and the Sabres were in negotiations for Babcock to become their next coach.
Babcock is under contract with the Red Wings until June 30. If he were to sign with another team before that, the Red Wings would be compensated a third-round pick within three years.
Babcock will announce his final decision on Wednesday. One wonders if he already has made his final decision and out of respect for his good friend Todd McLellan chose to delay announcing it until Wednesday so as not to steal the media spotlight. McLellan was introduced as the new head coach of the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday afternoon.
I can't for the life of me see how Babcock can turn thumbs down on the Buffalo opportunity.
No other team can come close to matching Buffalo's offer to Babcock.
1. Great salary. Check.
2. Great relationship with GM. Check.
3. Great organizational pipeline full of prospects. Check.
4. Solid ownership. Check.
***
Get ready, Buffalo. Here comes Mike Babcock.
According to John Wawrow of the AP, Babcock and Sabres GM Tim Murray are negotiating contract terms, over the phone, at this hour.
Murray and Babcock have been friends and colleagues since tgey worked together with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and Anaheim Ducks.
A person familiar with the discussions tells The AP that Babcock is in contract talks with the Buffalo Sabres to potentially become their next head coach.
The person said negotiations were taking place by phone between Babcock and Sabres general manager Tim Murray on Tuesday afternoon. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the talks are private.
Babcock is still under contract with the Detroit Red Wings through June 30. The Red Wings, however, have granted Babcock permission to speak with other teams. He visited Buffalo and met with Murray and Sabres owner Terry Pegula on May 10.
The Red Wings are said to be holding firm on their $3.25 million annual salary offer. Babcock is seeking a salary of north of $5 million per season.
The term and dollars of the Babcock Buffalo contract is said to be in the 6 year, $40 million range.
More to come......
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