Babcock, 52, has been head coach in Detroit for 10 years. Upsides include coaching an Original Six team with tremendous history, working for a GM who takes Babcock's input on personnel decisions, and working for an owner, Mike Ilitch, known for spending to win. Babcock may well wonder how competitive the Wings can remain, given that they don't get to draft the cream of the top-five crop, but the farm system does include Dylan Larkin, an 18-year-old who just played at the world championships.
The Sabres have a tremendous amount of young talent, which soon will include Jack Eichel, expected to go second overall in next month's NHL draft. The Sabres are owned by Terry Pegula, who has a reputation for getting what he wants, at any price. Pegula also owns the Buffalo Bills and reportedly gave Rex Ryan north of $5 million annually to coach the Bills. Bottom line, if Pegula wants Babcock badly enough, the Sabres might get him.
The Wings have offered Babcock four years at $3.25 million annually, which would make him the NHL's highest-paid coach. He is believed to be looking for $4 million, double his current salary. Holland said "money is not an issue," but the Wings still might balk at going much higher.