Sabres Will Have Competition In Search For Experienced Head Coach
At least four NHL clubs could be looking for new bench bosses this summer
Sabres Will Have Competition In Search For Experienced Head CoachThe Buffalo Sabres finished up their media availabilities at Key Bank Center on Thursday, with players commenting on the dismissal of head coach Don Granato earlier in the week and what kind of bench boss is needed to get the club to the next level.
GM Kevyn Adams indicated on Tuesday that he would begin his search for a new coach immediately. Based on the current landscape of the league and how things may break after the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Adams could have plenty of competition for the veteran coach he is seeking.
Currently the only two confirmed coaching vacancies are in the Atlantic Division, with the Sabres and Ottawa Senators, who fired D.J. Smith in December and completed the season with Jacques Martin on an interim basis. Other clubs, such as the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, and Los Angeles Kings had interim coaches still in place.
Travis Green replaced former Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff with the Devils in March and New Jersey missed the playoffs after making it to the second round last season. New Jersey GM Tom Fitzgerald said on Thursday that he liked what Green did on the job in the final month of the season, but will be doing a coaching search that includes the former Vancouver head coach.
Drew Bannister replaced Craig Berube in St. Louis in December and went 30-19-5, but like Fitzgerald, Blues GM Doug Armstrong did not immediately remove the interim tag and said that he is a finalist but has a short list of candidates to interview.
Jim Hiller led the Kings to the playoffs after replacing Todd McLellan in February, but there has been no indication whether he will be named the permanent head coach.
As for playoff teams, the one coach who is on the hot seat is Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto plays Boston in the first round and if they lose, there has been growing speculation that an early exit or a bad showing could cost Keefe his job.
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