Sabres head coach is 117-121-26 in three-plus seasons
The Buffalo Sabres had a glimmer of optimism of challenging for a playoff spot as recently as two weeks ago, but after losing three of five games on a Western road swing and an embarrassing 6-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday, the Sabres are almost certainly headed to a 13th consecutive season of missing the postseason.
There had been optimism entering the season after Buffalo missed the playoffs by one point that the Sabres would snap their record of futility, but the club has regressed in certain areas and will not reach last year’s point total with a 34-34-5 record and nine games remaining, prompting chatter on social media, local talk radio, and chants from the fan base during the loss to Ottawa to fire head coach Don Granato.
Granato seems to have a good rapport with his players and communicates what his expectations of them are, but that has translated into an under .500 (117-121-26) record in three-plus seasons.
In a results-oriented business, winning is the biggest factor and the Buffalo fan base is beyond frustrated to the point where the losing has begun to translate into apathy, similar to how it did with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills during their 17-year playoff drought.
A large factor in a decision on Granato is his contract status. At the start of the 2022-23 season, the Sabres signed the 56-year-old to a two-year extension that begins next season.
TSN’s Chris Johnston reported on Thursday that the Sabres are not of a mind to get rid of Granato, but that based on their lack of progress, there will be a top-to-bottom look at the organization after the season as to where they can improve.
It is not impossible that in the end, owner Terry Pegula and GM Kevyn Adams will decide a change at the top is needed, but the more likely option could be some significant roster reconstruction to add some leadership and experience or changes to Granato’s coaching staff to breathe some new life into the club.
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