The Buffalo Sabres have found their next head coach. Former interim head coach, now current head coach, Don Granato and the Sabres have agreed to a three-year deal to keep Granato in Buffalo and ditch the interim tag. The deal was announced today, and both Granato and GM Kevyn Adams will be speaking with the media on Thursday at 11 AM.
https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1409918447966986241
Granato took over as the interim head coach midway through last season after the Sabres relieved Ralph Krueger from his head coaching duties. Although Buffalo was the first team eliminated from playoff contention and finished last in the league standings last season, they did show improvement once Granato took over. He received many compliments from the younger players on the roster that enjoyed playing for him and liked his coaching style.
Although this is his first year beginning a season as an NHL head coach, Granato does not lack hockey coaching experience, as he has been involved in coaching since 1993. He has held multiple coaching positions between leagues such as the USHL, ECHL, AHL, and NHL. He was also an associate coach for the University of Wisconsin hockey team during the 2016-2017 season. Now he is set to become the 20th head coach in Buffalo Sabres franchise history.
Now that the offseason is starting to pick up some speed in Buffalo, the Sabres hope to maximize it the best they can to help them kickstart their current rebuild. Buffalo currently sits with the first overall pick in next month’s 2021 NHL Draft, and now they have made what seems to be a smart and sensible head coaching hire.
There are still many more moves to be made in Buffalo before next season starts. The team must make some tough decisions regarding potential trades involving players such as Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, and Rasmus Ristolainen. The Sabres also have multiple impact players hitting free agency this offseason, which could present some challenges.
So it seems that Don Granato will have his work cut out for him in his first full season as an NHL head coach. But, he was the right hire for this position.