Report: Buffalo Sabres, Mike Babcock Negotiating Contract

The Mike Babcock era with the Detroit Red Wings might be coming to a close.

The Associated Press is reporting, citing a source, that Babcock is negotiating with the Buffalo Sabres for the position of head coach.

“The talks took place between Babcock and Sabres general manager Tim Murray and began early in the day, a person familiar with discussions told The Associated Press,” John Wawrow writes. “The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the talks are private and the Sabres have not publicly discussed their coaching search to replace Ted Nolan, who was fired last month.

“The person stressed said there were still a “few more deal points” to work out, and there was no agreement yet in place. Murray spent part of the afternoon in meetings with team scouts.”

Babcock has a 527-285-19-119 career regular-season record in 12 seasons as an NHL head coach, including two seasons with the Anaheim Ducks and the last 10 with the Red Wings. Babcock helped lead the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup Final in 2008 and 2009. He also led the Ducks to the 2003 Stanley Cup Final. His only championship was in 2008.

The Sabres finished with the worst record in the league this season and will pick second overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. Signing Babcock, who many people believe is the league’s best coach, would help accelerate the Sabres’ rebuild.