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Nate Leaman Providence Coach has Spoken with Sabres


Brawndo

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An interesting name to watch is Leaman. He wouldn’t be considered a top candidate in these parts, but the indications are he’s also held talks with the Buffalo Sabres and is highly-regarded. The belief is the Sabres spoke to Leaman about coaching their AHL affiliate in Rochester two years ago, but he opted to stay with Providence.

The 46-year-old Leaman won a national championship with the Friars in 2015 and recently took his team to the Frozen Four held at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo earlier this month. Those who know Leaman believe he might be a good fit for the Senators because the organization is young and he’s coming from the college ranks.

The young players like and respect him. Leaman has been behind the bench for eight seasons with Providence and also helped build up the Union program for eight seasons before moving to the Friars. He is 314-228-73 in 16 seasons behind NCAA benches.

“He’s really good. He’s structured, runs a great practice and he turned the program (at Providence) around completely,” a league executive said Wednesday. “Providence hadn’t made the playoffs in the Hockey East in something like five years and had finished ninth, 10th or 11th in an 11-team league.

“Within four years of him getting there, they won the national championship, which they had never done before, and they’ve been to six straight Frozen Fours.”

Hiring a coach out of college wouldn’t be anything new in NHL circles.

 

https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ottawa-senators/the-ottawa-senators-coaching-search-has-heated-up-in-the-last-week

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What if this means Botterill is actually undergoing a thorough process of quietly talking to a number of candidates before he actually offers someone the job?

You know, like what typically happens during most important hirings?

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28 minutes ago, TrueBlueGED said:

Taylor promoted to Sabres HC. Leaman to Roch. Sabrespace implodes. 

Especially after losing out to Keefe this year.  Double Especially with his playoff record.

  daffy duck GIF

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1 hour ago, dudacek said:

What if this means Botterill is actually undergoing a thorough process of quietly talking to a number of candidates before he actually offers someone the job?

You know, like what typically happens during most important hirings?

No. It means that JBott sucks. I know that JBott sucks because he agreed to work for the Sabres. Only people who suck would ever sign with a Buffalo sports team. I know this because Buffalo. /s

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This would be fine with me.  

Is this article actually saying that Buffalo has spoken with Leaman in the past couple weeks regarding the HC position?  Or are they only referring to the talks a couple years ago about the AHL job?  It’s not entirely clear to me.

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51 minutes ago, Curtisp5286 said:

This would be fine with me.  

Is this article actually saying that Buffalo has spoken with Leaman in the past couple weeks regarding the HC position?  Or are they only referring to the talks a couple years ago about the AHL job?  It’s not entirely clear to me.

I really think the article is only talking about discussions 2 years ago regarding the AHL job, and is just poorly worded.  If it had come out that this was actually happening now, it would have been reported somewhere.  I Googled “Leaman Sabres Head Coach”.  The first result was an article about Jacob Bryson, Sabres prospect who played for Leaman at Providence.  The second result was.........this thread on Sabrespace.  Call me unconvinced.

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2 hours ago, TrueBlueGED said:

I honestly don't think it is. I can't imagine Botterill hitching his wagon to that combination of decisions. 

In this day and age it is hard to say. there are a lot of competing philosophies and JBot may not have full autonomy on the choice of direction or the hire. It might depend on Pegula. Heck it might depend on Jack. He may have a budget. It's rarely simple or straight forward any more.

Personally I think he should wait as long as possible. Babcock might still become available. 

Whatever the hire, I don't want an analytics guy.  Anyone else, well good luck to them. Just my bias. 

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It’s very commendable he has turned a horrible program into a perennial winner. Maybe that is the type of coach we should be seeking. One that built up a program, not continued to win within an organization that has a history of winning. An example of a coach NOT like this would be Babcock. 

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1 hour ago, kas23 said:

It’s very commendable he has turned a horrible program into a perennial winner. Maybe that is the type of coach we should be seeking. One that built up a program, not continued to win within an organization that has a history of winning. An example of a coach NOT like this would be Babcock. 

The is a commendable point and, seriously, something to keep in mind.

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5 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

A definite possibility. 

Should the 1st 2 items come to pass the 3rd definitely is a possibility.  But pretty sure I'd give the 1st 2 happening this off season about the same odds of happening as bringing back Rolston.

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12 hours ago, TrueBlueGED said:

Taylor promoted to Sabres HC. Leaman to Roch. Sabrespace implodes. 

The longer this thing drags along, the more likely a scenario like this becomes.

I am thinking of Mike Schopp opining from Day 1 that he anticipates the organization playing close to the vest and promoting Taylor rather than going out and getting a big name from totally outside the organization.

That scenario will always remain my fear until it is disproven.

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Briere48 said:

Would he bring Ron Rolston as an assistant? lol

When I hear his name, I immediately think of women's gardening gloves.  I will have that association with him the rest of my life.

LOL

 

digz-gardening-gloves-77866-012-64_1000.

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16 hours ago, Curtisp5286 said:

I really think the article is only talking about discussions 2 years ago regarding the AHL job, and is just poorly worded.  If it had come out that this was actually happening now, it would have been reported somewhere.  I Googled “Leaman Sabres Head Coach”.  The first result was an article about Jacob Bryson, Sabres prospect who played for Leaman at Providence.  The second result was.........this thread on Sabrespace.  Call me unconvinced.

It's easier to say that Curtisp5286, that's for sure.  ?

 

6 hours ago, Kruppstahl said:

When I hear his name, I immediately think of women's gardening gloves.  I will have that association with him the rest of my life.

LOL

Why?

 

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9 hours ago, Kruppstahl said:

When I hear his name, I immediately think of women's gardening gloves.  I will have that association with him the rest of my life.

LOL

 

digz-gardening-gloves-77866-012-64_1000.

Interesting part of that picture is it is two right-handed gloves.

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