Dan’s Daily Links: Babcock Fired, Penguins Trade, Buffalo Trade Talk

It’s been a while since the hockey world gave us enough news worth discussing to begin the daily links. The Pittsburgh Penguins made a small trade, the Toronto Maple Leafs organization just swallowed $25 million as the canned one of the winningest coaches of all-time and the Buffalo Sabres are on the prowl.

Toronto signed Mike Babcock to an eight-year contract worth an estimated $6.25 million per season in May 2015. By my calculator, that’s just under $25 million still owed to Babs. Toronto GM Kyle Dubas is a big fan of Sheldon Keefe, who will take over. So, Babcock was fired in an Arizona hotel room. Here’s the full rundown (Sportsnet)

Why Dubas chose Keefe (Sportsnet)

The Penguins trade Wednesday night won’t affect the NHL roster, but on the surface was curious as they traded Joe Cramarossoa, who is a career minor leaguer with some NHL experience for a player demoted to the ECHL. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill is “actively seeking” forward help to balance the Buffalo roster. If the Penguins were fully healthy or even close, the rumors would fly, but the timing doesn’t fit. But expect a lot of Buffalo Sabres trade rumors soon (NBC Sports)

The NHLPA has filed a grievance on behalf of suspended/retired/pondering Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien. Just an odd situation (TSN)

Ottawa Senators Bobby Ryan has entered the league’s assistance program (Ottawa Citizen)

Thursday night, it’s the Penguins and the Islanders again. Even if some players in the locker room won’t admit it, yes, the Penguins results matter just a bit more against the Isles (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)