Dreger on possibility of Richardson or Babcock coaching Sabres

Darren Dreger was on Ottawa’s TSN 1200 on Wednesday afternoon.

On if Luke Richardson could end up being the next coach of the Sabres:

“Well, there’s a strong chance. Again, you’ve identified the relationship there and Luke Richardson’s name has been thrown out there very recently. But there’s a lot of work that has to be done between now and that announcement.

“Here’s another name for you and I know that Mike Babcock isn’t looking for that project. Right? But, you know, if the Buffalo Sabres were to win the lottery and land Connor McDavid, could that be enough to lure a top-notch coach like a Mike Babcock into the equation.

“And then to balance it all off, you obviously have the deep, deep, deep pockets of the Pegulas. I know they’re not going to be afraid to spend money on a head coach and if you’re trying to lure someone like Mike Babcock, maybe that ticket comes in at 4, 4.5, upwards of $5 million. And if it does, they could afford to pay that and the Detroit Red Wings aren’t likely going to match.

“So it’s not money being everything for Mike Babcock, but if you’ve got Connor McDavid and now you’ve got an owner that’s offering you better than 4 or upwards of $5 million per year, that might be enough to grab perhaps the most coveted unrestricted free agent coach.”

Also:

“I still think though that the respect that Babcock and his family has for the Ilitch family is tremendous and we can appreciate why given the level of success that the Ilitch family has enjoyed under the guidance of Mike Babcock, the high level of success Mike Babcock has achieved as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings.

“He couldn’t have predicted that Detroit was going to have as good a year as what they have. And there’s no way they would have thought that they would have been a contending team.

“When I talked to Mike Babcock prior to the start of the season, he said to me: ‘Look, if I was in the mood or market for a project I’d stay in Detroit because that’s what Detroit is – a project.’

“And that’s why I always go back to that word.

“But Detroit’s had a heck of a year. And there’s a chance to win. And I’m sure that Kenny Holland is going to be active when necessary, be it in the free agent market. Maybe he grabs one or two of these unrestricted college free agent kids and continues to build with what he has.

“So let’s not count Detroit out of the mix entirely yet.”

Source: TSN 1200/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey

Nichols on Hockey

Nichols on Hockey

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