First the Buffalo Sabres lost out on Connor McDavid, much to the disappointment of general manager Tim Murray.
Now it’s Mike Babcock they won’t get.
And once again, there’s evidence of frustration within the organization:
League source tells me #Sabres thought they had deal in principle w/ Babcock 2 days ago around same term/dollars as Leafs. Maybe even 9 yrs.
— Shawn Stepner (@StepnerWMAR) May 20, 2015
That report, by Shawn Stepner of WKBW-TV in Buffalo, was “seconded” by John Vogl of the Buffalo News.
And then there was this, by Tim Graham of the Buffalo News:
Babcock will hold a press conference tomorrow in Toronto, where he’ll be introduced as the new head coach of the Maple Leafs.
Toronto isn’t far from Buffalo, so don’t be surprised if a few members of the media make the journey north to ask a few questions.