'“I really enjoyed working with Phil the last couple of years,” said Sabres GM Jason Botterill during a press conference on Sunday afternoon. “Phil is a great man (and) put in a tremendous amount of time and effort into helping this organization. I wish him and his family all the best moving forward. Today certainly wasn’t an easy day.”' … [Read more...] about Fired: Buffalo Sabres relieve head coach Phil Housley of duties
Archives for 2019
Sullivan: Housley firing puts focus on Pegulas, Botterill
'Just think, if not for that Andy Dalton miracle pass on the final day of the 2017 season, the Pegulas would have the dubious distinction of owning the franchises with the longest playoff droughts in both the NFL and NHL.' … [Read more...] about Sullivan: Housley firing puts focus on Pegulas, Botterill
Buffalo Sabres fire coach Phil Housley after 2 seasons
'But Housley’s fate was essentially sealed during a 0-6-1 skid in early March during which Buffalo was shut out in three consecutive games.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres fire coach Phil Housley after 2 seasons
Buffalo Sabres fire coach Phil Housley one day after he said he expected to be back with team
'In Housley's two seasons as head coach in Buffalo, the Sabres went 58-84-22 and missed the playoffs in both years. (Buffalo's last postseason appearance came in 2011.) The Sabres got off to a strong start to begin the 2018-2019 season, going 17-6-2 in their first 25 games and shooting to the top of the Atlantic division following a 10-game winning streak.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres fire coach Phil Housley one day after he said he expected to be back with team
Sabres Fire Head Coach Phil Housley
'Last season, Housley led the Sabres to a 33–39–10 record. The campaign marked the eighth straight year that Buffalo did not reach the playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Fire Head Coach Phil Housley
Sabres fire Phil Housley after season implodes
'The way the season ended is a tough blow for the Sabres, who kicked off the season on a high note and boasted of a 10-game win streak in November. However, things quickly unraveled in December and the team went 16-33-8 after the 10-game streak.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fire Phil Housley after season implodes
Sabres relieve Phil Housley of his head coaching duties
'When Jason Botterill was in Pittsburgh, the Penguins would always elevate their AHL coach to take over. I would think Rochester’s coach Chris Taylor is under heavy consideration to take over the reigns. He has another week to go in the regular season there and then will lead the Amerks into the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second straight season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres relieve Phil Housley of his head coaching duties
Botterill: 'This was my decision' to fire Housley
'"It's mainly just our results in the second half. I think we had, unfortunately, the same lapses defensively in our structure, especially when you come back after the All-Star break and play in those tight games in those tight situations. Some of those same mistakes were continually showing up. At the end of the day, this is a results driven business, and we didn't get the … [Read more...] about Botterill: ‘This was my decision’ to fire Housley
Sabres's Botterill has no choice other than to get it right
'Botterill is very much his own man. He didn’t ask Phil Housley his opinion on trades and he didn’t ask the owners for their opinion of firing Housley. Botterill called the Pegula’s Sunday morning and they supported his decision to change coaches. I think the biggest question is why now? This ship had been sinking since December and Botterill said it eventually became evident … [Read more...] about Sabres’s Botterill has no choice other than to get it right
It had to happen
'It simply had to be done. We could go over all of the reasons. The lineup decisions, the explanations for the lineup decisions, the “shot mentality”, saying that the team was in games when they got blown out and shut out all too frequently, especially in March.' … [Read more...] about It had to happen
Sabres: Phil Housley relieved of his duties
'Housley becomes the third coach to be fired after two seasons [or less] with the Sabres since November of 2013, joining Ted Nolan [2013-2015] and Dan Bylsma [2015-2017].' … [Read more...] about Sabres: Phil Housley relieved of his duties
Sabres GM Jason Botterill: We didn't get the results
'"We had the same lapses defensively and with our structure," Botterill added. "At the end of the day, this a result driven business and we didn't get the results."' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Jason Botterill: We didn’t get the results
Five potential coaching candidates for the Buffalo Sabres
'His lack of experience doesn't rule out Taylor but it makes me wonder if the Sabres are ready to give him a huge promotion. If it was my decision, Taylor would be the guy if they can't land Quenneville.' … [Read more...] about Five potential coaching candidates for the Buffalo Sabres
What the 2018-2019 season taught us about the Buffalo Sabres
'In a matter of 49 games, the Sabres went from first place to mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for the eighth straight year. Fans went from talking about playoff matchups to potential coaching changes and it seems like after another downward spiral the Sabres are virtually in the same place as they were at the end of last season.' … [Read more...] about What the 2018-2019 season taught us about the Buffalo Sabres
Sabres Part Ways With Phil Housley
'The firing also comes roughly two weeks after public backing from team owners Terry and Kim Pegula while they two were at the NFL owners meetings in Arizona.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Part Ways With Phil Housley