Archives for April 21, 2017

'If the Sabres want Lombardi, they'll have to move fast. His name is at the top of the list among desired front office executives in the NHL.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres: Who will replace Dan Bylsma and Tim Murray?

'The Pegulas have their own timeline, but Murray's fate may have been sealed with his inaction at the trade deadline. The Sabres could've used some help and were in the playoff hunt. Murray didn't make any moves and the Sabres fell fast from there.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres make right decision by firing Bylsma, Murray

'If living in Yorkville, being paid $6 million US a year — which is, give or take a dollar, $8 million in Canadian funds — coaching the Leafs in the playoffs and probably being up for coach of the year is “just surviving,” then the rest of us have a whole lot to worry about. But Buffalo and kidding aside, the decision made by Mr. and Mrs. Babcock has truly worked out in their … [Read more...] about Babcock’s last-minute choice — Toronto over Buffalo — looking genius in hindsight

'After decades of the Leafs being plagued by meddling ownership, the hiring of Brendan Shanahan as team president in April 2014 changed the outlook forever. A Hall of Fame player who had gone on to spend time working at the NHL’s head office in New York, Shanahan was given the keys to the franchise.' … [Read more...] about Sabres should take page out of Maple Leafs’ blueprint

'Bylsma, who had three years and $9 million left on his contract, was let go along with general manager Tim Murray in a surprising sweep of the Sabres' front office.' … [Read more...] about Dan Bylsma fired in sweeping housecleaning by Buffalo Sabres

'A disconnect between Bylsma and players was evident. In the modern game, communication is the currency of coaching. Success doesn’t happen unless players buy in. Players don’t have to like the coach, but they have to believe in him.' … [Read more...] about For the Sabres, dysfunction starts with ownership

'Murray, who met with Pegula on Wednesday, has been Buffalo's general manager since January 2014. The 53-year-old said last week that the team's players failed to embrace Bylsma's style and connect with the coach on a personal level, according to the Buffalo News.' … [Read more...] about Bylsma, GM Murray fired by Sabres

'Eichel, via his representatives, denied that was the case. But even if the report was largely untrue, it made sense. Why would Eichel -- or any young prospect in the Sabres organization, for that matter -- want to wallow in the perennial disappointment that has clouded Buffalo for more than half a decade? That's not to say Bylsma or Murray were directly responsible for every … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres fire GM Tim Murray, coach Dan Bylsma: Three things to know

'The decision comes following a disappointing season in which the Sabres finished with just 78 points in the standings, worst in the Atlantic division. Sabres owner Terry Pegula released a statement shortly after the official announcement and will be available to the media at KeyBank Center on Friday morning.' … [Read more...] about The Buffalo Sabres clean house, fire coach Dan Bylsma and GM Tim Murray