They shelled out the money the Sabres were rumored to be willing to pay the former Red Wings coach.
Mike Babcock decided to leave the Red Wings after all, but it wasn't for wonderful real estate in Clarence or Orchard Park. He has signed an enormous contract to become the next head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs according to TSN's Darren Dreger.
Sources say Mike Babcock has been hired by the Maple Leafs. Mammoth 8 yr contract believed to be around $50 million.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 20, 2015
Babcock coached Toronto's president Mike Shanahan while in Detroit, and will be getting some player personnel power according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.