Adams search for new bench boss will center on experience and holding young players accountable
Adams search for new bench boss will center on experience and holding young players accountable
Buffalo Sabres players held media availabilities at their locker cleanout at Key Bank Center on Wednesday one day after head coach Don Granato's dismissal. The players took responsibility for their part in the club missing the playoffs for the 13th straight season and offered their thoughts on who GM Kevyn Adams will be bringing in as a new head coach.
“There's not much concern about the coaching search, because that's not our job.” Sabres winger Jeff Skinner said. “I'm sure they'll get the right coach and as a player, you get ready for camp and you get yourself ready to help the team.”
Adams indicated on Tuesday that he is looking for a head coach with NHL experience who can push his young squad to the next level and get the Sabres over the hump, after falling eight points short of the final playoff spot and that he had the type of coach he was looking for in mind, but would not speak to specific veteran bench bosses who are currently unemployed.
Possible candidates are former St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube, and ex-Minnesota and Vancouver head coach Bruce Boudreau, but the two early favorites appear to be former Vegas and New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant and former Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff.
Gallant coached the Golden Knights to their first Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season in 2018 and led the Rangers to consecutive 100-point seasons in 2022 and 2023 before being replaced by Peter Laviolette last summer. Ruff served as Sabres head coach from 1997 to 2013, and since has coached in Dallas and New Jersey, leading the Devils to the playoffs last season and to the second round last season before being fired last month.
"He was my favorite coach growing up..... Lindy's a great coach, a really smart guy. I've always been a huge fan of his," Sabres winger Alex Tuch said. "(Gallant) was an unbelievable coach. I really loved him. I had him my first couple years in the NHL. Went to a Stanley Cup Final with him. He's another fantastic candidate.....He brings he brings a lot of fire and energy with him. He was great for me. He really held me accountable as a rookie and I wouldn't be the player I am without him today."
Adams did not indicate what the timetable would be on hiring a new coach, but that could be subject to other candidates currently employed and occupied with the Stanley Cup Playoffs not being available to talk.
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