The Buffalo Sabres have gone through seven coaches since their last Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance 13 years ago: Lindy Ruff, Ron Rolston, Ted Nolan, Dan Bylsma, Phil Housley, Ralph Krueger, and now Granato. Granato's firing stings even more considering he signed a multi-year contract extension in 2022.
The Sabres finished this season with a disappointing 39-37-6 record, especially considering their promising outlook. Players like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin were expected to lead a playoff push, supported by emerging talents like Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, and Owen Powers. However, Thompson's performance declined, and the team as a whole struggled to maintain momentum.
This move signals the start of significant changes for the Sabres after another disappointing season and over a decade without playoff appearances. With talented players like their two first overall picks on defense and recent acquisition Bowen Byram, big changes are expected in Buffalo.
