His contract expired. He talks:
"You know, it doesn't need to be written, and it doesn't need to be said. For Pat LaFontaine to quit? Never. It's not in his DNA. And as much as I loved Buffalo, Patty loved Buffalo even more. … I know he didn't quit. They know he didn't quit. And they know that I know he didn't quit."
"You could take Toe Blake, Al Arbour and Scotty Bowman, and I don't think all three of them together could have done much better – or better at all," Nolan said. "It was very, very difficult. Winning is extremely hard. When you haven't got the proper people, it magnifies the problem even more.... The whole year was McDavid, McDavid, McDavid," Nolan said. "I just don't think Tim gave me a fair opportunity or got to know me. I don't think Terry and Kim got to know who I am. But when I look back on it, I'm very thankful. Buffalo is my kind of town. I loved Buffalo."