Sabres Fire HC Don Granato After Being Eliminated from 2024 NHL Playoffs Portray

The Buffalo Sabres launched the firing of head coach Don Granato on Tuesday on the heels of missing the playoffs for an NHL-high 13th consecutive season.

Granato had been the Sabres’ head coach for substances of the previous four seasons, posting a 122-125-27 account throughout that point, including a 39-37-6 designate in 2023-24.

Alongside with Granato, Buffalo launched that it has also parted ways with assistant coach Jason Christie and video coordinator Matt Smith.

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams released an announcement on the group’s resolution to switch on from the 56-one year-gentle Granato, saying:

“I’d devour to thank Don for his time in Buffalo and commitment to the Sabres group. He has been integral in the event of many of our gamers and has undoubtedly been the upright coach to reveal us to where we are genuinely, however I felt it became foremost to switch in a queer course at this point in time. My expectation is to be a continuing contender and sadly that aim has no longer been met.”

In 2022-23, the Sabres took a nice soar forward, going 42-33-7 for 91 capabilities, which became a vital development from the 75 capabilities they posted in 2021-22.

Buffalo came agonizingly conclude to ending its playoff drought, however it accomplished one existing of the final note playoff build in the Eastern Conference.

Whereas it became a disappointing stay to the season, expectations were high entering the 2023-24 campaign, especially after the Sabres’ young and talented roster accomplished third in the NHL in desires for with 296.

Buffalo took a vital step attend in the aim-scoring division this season, even supposing, scoring appropriate style 246 times. The Sabres also did no longer bear any player reach the 60-point or 30-aim designate after five gamers had no longer no longer as a lot as 60 capabilities and four gamers had no longer no longer as a lot as 30 desires in 2022-23.

The Sabres did give a take to severely from a defensive standpoint, however, surrendering 244 desires when in contrast to 300 ultimate season.

Mild, it wasn’t ample to push the Sabres into the playoffs, as their 84 capabilities are five in the attend of the Washington Capitals, who currently have the final note wild-card build in the Eastern Conference with one game left to play.

Buffalo closed out its season Monday with a 4-2 highway comprise over the Tampa Bay Lightning in what proved to be Granato’s closing game as head coach.

No topic the Sabres having the longest playoff drought in NHL historic previous, their head instructing job figures to be a intellectual one as a consequence of the quantity of young skill they trust.

Forwards Tage Thompson, JJ Peterka, Dylan Cozens, Zach Benson and Jack Quinn are all 26 years of age or youthful, whereas defensemen Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Vitality and Bowen Byram are all 24 or youthful.

Additionally, 25-one year-gentle goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukonen is coming off a breakout season, having gone 27-22-4 with a 2.57 desires-in opposition to moderate, .910 put percentage and five shutouts.

It’s miles unclear who the Sabres might possibly well additionally be focusing on to interchange Granato, however an fascinating candidate emerged when the New Jersey Devils fired Lindy Ruff ultimate month.

Ruff has the fifth-most instructing wins in NHL historic previous with 864, and the bulk of them came as head coach of the Sabres from 1997 to 2013.

He went 571-432-78-84 as the Sabres’ head coach and led them to eight playoff appearances, including a time out to the Stanley Cup Closing in 1999.

Seth Appert, who coaches the Sabres’ AHL affiliate in the Rochester People, might possibly well additionally also be a candidate after he filled in for Granato as head coach of the Sabres for one game this season whereas Granato became sick.