In a move that will probably shock no one in the Buffalo Sabres community, the team announced today that it has relieved head coach Ted Nolan of his duties with the Buffalo Sabres organization.
No surprise there right? You had to know the decision was coming, not because the team did not perform well. I think the team performed exactly to the organizations expectations – but because there is division of epic abyss proportions between Ted Nolan – and the new regime that did not hire him in the first place.
Ted Nolan was setup for failure from day. The mission since Tim Murray took over this franchise was to shake things down to the bare minimum, and start rebuilding from the ground up. The fans would not stand idly by, well most of them, so a decision was made by the organization to bring in fan favorites Ted Nolan and Pat LaFontaine to helm the ship through the rebuild.
Once Murray was on board, and the plan laid out, LaFontaine wanted nothing to do with the plan, and quickly exited stage left for his old job. Nolan could have easily made the same line in the sand, but for a guy who loves the game of hockey as much as he does – what did he have to lose?
Pat LaFontaine has a job in hockey where ever he wants one, whenever he wants one. That is just what happens when you carry the title of Hockey Hall of Fame around on your business card. Ted Nolan on the other hand new his chances in the NHL were limited, and that hey, maybe if I do a good enough job they will keep me around.
But the difference in opinion was too strong to overcome, and Ted Nolan didn’t have it in his heart to lose, so he wasn’t going to be apart of the plan to land the Buffalo Sabres a chance at one of two generational players. How things may have changed if the team ended the regular season well out of the McEichel sweepstakes.
With the departure of Ted Nolan obviously means the departure of his assistant coaching staff. You know the drill, new coach will want his own guys in place. Danny Flynn was relieved of his assistant coaching duties, and Bryan Trottier and Tom Coolen were given notice that they would not receive contract extension.
The Trottier decision is the only one that is a bit weird for me – as the organization seemed high on him, and when you can land someone with his pedigree, you find a place in your organization for him. I mean, the guy has seven Stanley Cup rings and a Hall of Fame Jacket to boot – there is value to that in your organization. Who would you rather have coaching your prospects in Rochester – Bryan Trottier or Chadd Cassidy?
It seems as if Tim Murray is giving his new head coach, a man to be determined, plenty of room to hire his own people to man the press box and stand behind the bench with him. It appears that the only man Tim Murray is willing to bend his new coaches ear on is goaltending coach Arturs Irbe.
I mean why not – he had the revolving door of Buffalo Sabres backups playing lights out on some nights. Sure the Buffalo Sabres were losers more often than they were winners, but it was hardly always goaltendings fault. You let 50 shots a game in on average (not a true average, but damn it could be close) and walk away without getting blown out – you get another chance.
I am not 100% sold on the fact that the Buffalo Sabres are so high on Mike Babcock that they are willing to overpay to get him. But then again – just like with Trottier, why would you pass up the chance to have someone with that pedigree? Babcock coming out of Detroit isn’t a sold thing either.
Yes, Babcock reportedly turned down a contract extension in Detroit, and could be interested in coaching at the Michigan in the fall. Then there are those rumors that Babcock will be going to where ever McDavid ends up.
Ted Nolan now has coached 472 games in the National Hockey League for two franchises. He has an all-time record of 188-227-57. In six NHL seasons behind the bench he was above five hundred only twice, once in Buffalo and once on Long Island. Those are the only two times his teams made an appearance in the post season, and neither team could get out of the first round. There is no future for Ted Nolan in the NHL – the question is, where does hockey take him next?
More importantly, what will happen next for the Buffalo Sabres?
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