After failing to land Mike Babcock, what comes next for Buffalo?
According to multiple reports, the Sabres went "all in" to try and land Mike Babcock as their next head coach, only to strike out. Babcock chose to leave the Red Wings, and pass on Buffalo in order to head north of the border, becoming the next head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After failing to land their desired candidate, the Sabres are still in need of a head coach. Who might General Manager Tim Murray look to target now?
Dan Bylsma is a popular name being discussed in Buffalo, the former Penguins coach won a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009.
Peter DeBoer is another proven and potentially available coach for the Sabres to take a shot at. DeBoer's most recent job was with New Jersey, where he added a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals to his resume.
Guy Boucher is currently coaching in Switzerland, but prior to that enjoyed some success as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he led them to a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2011.
There is certainly plenty of disappointment about missing out on a candidate like Mike Babcock, who is regarded by many as the best active coach in the sport, but once the sting of missing out on their top candidate subsides, the Sabres will see that their next options include both some proven candidates and intriguing options.
(h/t Die by the Blade)
Image Credit: Bill Wippert, Getty Images
