BabWatch: NHL coaching source claims Babcock is leaving Detroit.

An NHL coaching source has claimed that Mike Babcock will be leaving the Detroit Red Wings. A recent report from the Buffalo News claims that a source with knowledge of the situation has Babcock moving to Buffalo for an offer that far exceeds that of the offer from Detroit. More from the Buffalo News report:

A source in the NHL coaching fraternity predicts the decision will be Buffalo. The Sabres’ contract offer is far better than Detroit’s reported extension of $3.25 million per season, so much so that it will alleviate any concerns Babcock’s family has about leaving Michigan, the source told The Buffalo News on Tuesday.

That being said the reasons are not entirely selfish, although Babcock has multiple reasons for the move including better prospects, familiarity with the management team and more, one of the driving forces behind his decision to take the big money offer is his belief that NHL coaches are generally underpaid. Babcock is hoping that his free agency period will help raise the value of all NHL coaches, a group he feels is underpaid when compared to coaches in the other major sports.

In addition to providing for his family, Babcock has talked often of boosting the salaries of NHL coaches. The source inside that fraternity told The News that Babcock doesn’t understand why hockey coaches are paid so much less than their professional sports counterparts....

We are now one day away from his decision and it looks like Buffalo has taken a commanding lead.