'While no team has hired a European coach since 2001, most have chosen to fill vacancies with head coaches from the American Hockey League or assistants around the NHL. No matter the candidate's background, general managers have not been as patient with coaches who no previous head coaching experience in the league.' … [Read more...] about Does NHL experience make Ralph Krueger more likely to succeed with Sabres?
Archives for 2019
Five challenges facing new Sabres coach Ralph Krueger
'"A big part of our success is going to be the development of Rasmus Dahlin, the development of Jack Eichel, the development of Sam Reinhart, Casey Mittelstadt – players who are already at the National Hockey League level," Botterill said during a news conference Wednesday in KeyBank Center. "The fact that we’re going to expect Ralph to communicate well with them, expect Ralph … [Read more...] about Five challenges facing new Sabres coach Ralph Krueger
New Sabres coach Ralph Krueger aims to build relationship with Jeff Skinner
'"If you’re going to sign a long-term contract with an organization, you kind of want to know who the head coach is," Botterill said. "So we’ve kept in dialogue with Jeff and certainly made him aware of who we were going to name here as head coach today just as we did with a lot of our leadership group. But yeah, just as it’s important next week for Ralph to touch base with … [Read more...] about New Sabres coach Ralph Krueger aims to build relationship with Jeff Skinner
Four things to know about new Buffalo Sabres coach Ralph Krueger
'According to one ESPN report: "(Krueger) is known for being an innovator in hockey strategies, developing young talent and being a motivator." When he was hired by Edmonton, Krueger told local media: "The style will be a very disciplined one. We will want to attack on a very aggressive basis and we have the tools to do that, on the same time always building on a strong … [Read more...] about Four things to know about new Buffalo Sabres coach Ralph Krueger
Roth: At least Sabres’ latest coach hire is original
'Unless you're a big fan of international hockey, you've probably never heard of new Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger.' … [Read more...] about Roth: At least Sabres’ latest coach hire is original
World Cup coaching gig helped lead Ralph Krueger to Sabres
'“That definitely confirmed that in my heart of hearts I’m a coach,” Krueger said on a conference call Wednesday after being introduced as the 19th head coach in Sabres history. “My kids have been telling me ever since that’s the happiest I’ve looked in the last six years was when I was coaching hockey at the World Cup.”' … [Read more...] about World Cup coaching gig helped lead Ralph Krueger to Sabres
Visiting bars helped Sabres coach Ralph Krueger get feel for Buffalo
'“It was very enlightening,” Krueger said on a conference call this afternoon after being introduced as the 19th head coach in Sabres history. “I certainly could feel the spirit of the city. I loved the city, the architecture and just the size. I can feel it’s a hardworking community and it’s a place that my wife and I feel very comfortable coming to live there."' … [Read more...] about Visiting bars helped Sabres coach Ralph Krueger get feel for Buffalo
Sabres notes: GM Jason Botterill knows Jeff Skinner interested to see coach
'Given Skinner’s age and scoring prowess – he just finished a career-best campaign and has scored 244 career goals – he will likely command a long-term contract worth perhaps $8 million or more a season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: GM Jason Botterill knows Jeff Skinner interested to see coach
Former Oilers head coach Ralph Krueger gets second chance behind NHL bench in Buffalo
'‘When it was clear I was stepping away from Southampton and I wanted to come back to hockey, I opened my view-finder and a lot of opportunities came in my direction,” said Krueger. “But there was nothing that lit a fire like coaching. That magnet is pulling me back. I stayed very close to the game while in soccer, all my friendships are formed in hockey and I’ve talked to … [Read more...] about Former Oilers head coach Ralph Krueger gets second chance behind NHL bench in Buffalo
The Sabres stink, so why not hire someone who ran a Premier League soccer team as coach?
'In any case, Krueger isn’t the “hockey guy” hire the Sabres have made in the past, to little success. At this low point in the franchise’s history, he’s probably worth a shot.' … [Read more...] about The Sabres stink, so why not hire someone who ran a Premier League soccer team as coach?
Former Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger returns to the NHL
'He arrived at Saints back in 2014 when he was appointed by Katharina Liebherr. His remit was to balance the books and turn the club into a profitable company which is something that he was able to achieve over a five-year period.' … [Read more...] about Former Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger returns to the NHL
Ralph Krueger returns to NHL as Sabres coach
'“This group is ready to become a contender and to compete with anybody on any given night,” Krueger said. “I’m confident that we can become that kind of a team quite quickly.”' … [Read more...] about Ralph Krueger returns to NHL as Sabres coach
Sabres hire former Premier League exec, Oilers coach Ralph Krueger to replace Phil Housley
'The former Southampton Football Club chairman, who started there in 2014, was announced Wednesday as the new head coach of the Buffalo Sabres, returning to the NHL five years after leaving hockey for soccer.' … [Read more...] about Sabres hire former Premier League exec, Oilers coach Ralph Krueger to replace Phil Housley
New Sabres head coach talked to fans ‘undercover’ in lead up to decision
'“I watched two playoff games in…I’m not going to mention the pub that I was in. It was really interesting. I asked people about the Sabres. I asked them how they were feeling about the potential about the group. What I felt was a passion for the game. I really like the size of the market. I’m more a smaller city person than a big city person personally, but also I know the … [Read more...] about New Sabres head coach talked to fans ‘undercover’ in lead up to decision
Sabres GM Jason Botterill puts his job on the line with out-of-the-box hiring of Ralph Krueger…and that’s a good thing
'And it’s that kind of thinking that is going to ultimately get the Sabres out of this rut in which they find themselves. This is not a case of Jason Botterill making like he’s smarter than everybody else. This is a young man who is clearly comfortable making unconventional choices, one who has enough confidence in himself that he’s prepared to make a move that he knows will be … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Jason Botterill puts his job on the line with out-of-the-box hiring of Ralph Krueger…and that’s a good thing