Jay McKee is one of just two former Buffalo Sabres players, along with goalie Martin Biron, who was on both the 1998-99 roster that reached the Stanley Cup Final and the 2005-06 squad that reignited the love of hockey in Western New York after the NHL lockout.
McKee, who recently became head coach of the AHL's Hamilton Hammers, said he felt a touch of nostalgia watching the Sabres finally return to prominence last season after ending the longest playoff drought in league history (14 years).
"You could see the energy in the city," McKee told Bill Hoppe of the Times Herald. "… It brought back kind of those great feelings and emotions that we all went through as players. Even seeing those highlight-reel films from the past and the things they were doing this season, it just kind of brought you back as a player and reminded us all (that) was the time of our lives back in the years of 2005 and 2006."
Buffalo reached the 2006 Eastern Conference Final, a completely unexpected outcome as the club had missed the playoffs three straight times before the lockout. The NHL's renewed enforcement of obstruction rules allow a young, fast Sabres group to thrive.
Unfortunately, an unfathomable run of defensive injuries, including McKee missing Game 7 with a severe leg infection, left the team undermanned against the Carolina Hurricanes, who beat the Sabres in the series decider and went on to win the championship.
In 1999, McKee and the Sabres advanced all the way to Game 6 of the Cup Final against the Dallas Stars before falling short in controversial fashion on the infamous "No Goal" by Brett Hull.
Buffalo remains without a title since the franchise was founded in 1970.
Nevertheless, the area remains one of North America's most enthusiastic hockey markets, and that was on full display again this spring as the Blue and Gold advanced to the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs before losing in Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens.
It was the Sabres' longest stay in the NHL postseason since 2007.
Could Jay McKee emerge as a future head coaching candidate for the Buffalo Sabres?
McKee's coaching career began in the Sabres organization as an assistant with the AHL's Rochester Americans in 2011-12, but it lasted just one season as the former NHL defenseman told Hoppe the "dynamic didn't work."
The 48-year-old Canadian has since made stops with the OHL's Erie Otters, OHL's Kitchener Rangers and OHL's Brantford Bulldogs before landing with the Hammers, the AHL affiliate of New York Islanders, in May.
He's gained a strong reputation for developing young talent, and the former Buffalo star confirmed current Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff has served as a mentor during his time behind the bench,
"Certainly have some of his drills and some of his concepts," McKee told Hoppe.
Ruff signed a two-year contract extension with the Sabres in May after leading the organization back to the NHL playoffs, but it's unclear how long the 66-year-old fan favorite will continue to coach.
It wouldn't be a surprise if McKee, after gaining some pro head coaching experience in Hamilton, ends up being a candidate for the Buffalo job if Ruff steps away in 2028.
It previously seemed like the Sabres, at least under former general manager Kevyn Adams, were angling for current assistant Seth Appert, who previously served as head coach of the Amerks, to become Ruff's heir apparent. His struggles leading the team's power play over the past two years have probably changed those plans under new GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
That said, Kekalainen has made a lot of connections during his extended career as an NHL executive, so he'll likely cast a wide net if the time arrives to hire a Ruff successor.
McKee should at least be part of the conversation, especially if he continues to impress with his player development during his stint with the Hammers.
He'd surely be welcomed back with open arms by the Buffalo fanbase if he does return to the 716 to lead the Sabres coaching staff down the line.
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