Can't say that I blame him.
Just as a giant F-U to Buffalo ownership, how long before he can re-enter the draft or sign as an FA somewhere else if he refuses to sign his ELC with Buffalo?
(I love you, Buffalo fans. I just hate that ownership group.)
I know Buffalo is a train-wreck and poorly managed.
But you can't say they haven't
tried.
They have been willing to open their wallets for everyone and anyone who wants to play there. Skinner and Hall are two examples.
They were also willing to give Babcock a blank cheque to coach there.
Some ownership groups make much less of a monetary effort than the Pegulas.
Even the purge of talent in the earlier part of last decade was done with one thing in mind: Let's try to get McDavid. Which was smart. If I owned a team and was in Buffalo's shape, I would try to tank too if it improved my draft position and/or chances at getting a player like McDavid.