Skip to content

8 names you'll be hearing to fill the vacancies in Buffalo

Rick Stewart / Getty Images Sport / Getty

See ya, Tim Murray and Dan Bylsma.

The Buffalo Sabres fired their general manager and head coach Thursday, proving that Jack Eichel is the sheriff in town, and that losing will no longer be tolerated, no matter the cost - both Murray and Bylsma had years and millions of dollars left on their contracts.

The names of potential replacements for the pair are already flying around, and we're putting them in one place for you here.

As always, it's important to remember that a GM hires a coach, so that's the job that will likely be filled first - and may be the most important as the Sabres' rebuild continues.

Chris Drury

This one's easy, because of Drury's history with the Sabres.

He'll be 41 this summer and is currently serving as the assistant general manager with the New York Rangers, under Jeff Gorton.

Gorton, who will be 49 later this month, has been with the Rangers a long time and succeeded Glen Sather, and it appears the gig's Gorton's until it isn't. Drury, meanwhile, is thought to be an up-and-comer in the managerial industry, and was part of a couple of deep playoff runs with the Sabres in 2006 and 2007.

If you're looking for a nostalgia pick, it's Drury.

Julien BriseBois

Julien BriseBois has been learning from one of the league's best GMs, Steve Yzerman, down in Tampa Bay.

And Yzerman's on record in 2014 singing the praises of his assistant GM.

"It's only a matter of time before (BriseBois) gets his opportunity," Yzerman said, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith. "He's going to have a long and outstanding career as a GM."

BriseBois is only 40, was a candidate for the Pittsburgh Penguins' vacancy before they hired Jim Rutherford, and has been working with Yzerman since 2010.

Dean Lombardi

If the Sabres want to go the more traditional route, Dean Lombardi was recently fired by the Los Angeles Kings, and he's got two Stanley Cups on his resume.

Lombardi was at the helm of the Kings for a long time, and put together those Cup-winning teams. He knows how to get it done.

And if he still wants to work with Darryl Sutter, perhaps the pair could be hired as a package, although working with a young team would certainly be a change of pace for Sutter, who dealt primarily with veterans in Hollywood.

Lindy Ruff

Forget about Drury, if the Sabres really want to turn back the clock, Lindy Ruff is on the market after being fired by the Dallas Stars.

Now 57, Ruff spent 14 seasons and change in Buffalo, winning his only Jack Adams Award with the Sabres. He was behind the bench when Buffalo made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999, losing to - oddly enough - the Stars in six games.

Ruff's record with the Sabres:

  • Regular season: 571-432-78-84 (.560 winning percentage)
  • Playoffs: 57-44 (.564 winning percentage)

Bill Guerin

Many former players have transitioned to the front office after their playing career, and another name that will be tossed around with respect to Buffalo's openings is Bill Guerin.

A veteran of 1,263 NHL games and a two-time Cup champion, Guerin is currently one of two assistant general managers of the Penguins. (The other is Jason Botterill, who played a key role in hiring Mike Sullivan to coach the Baby Pens, and we know how that turned out.)

Guerin's 46 and is also part of the braintrust putting together the U.S. team for the coming world championships.

Tom Fitzgerald

Same deal: Fitzgerald's transitioned from his playing days, trading in his skates for a suit and tie. He's currently the assistant general manager of the New Jersey Devils, working under Cup winner Ray Shero.

Fitzgerald, 49 this summer, was part of the Penguins' front office in 2009, when Shero's Pittsburgh team won its first Stanley Cup since the Mario Lemieux days. (Oddly enough, Bylsma was the coach of that team.)

Craig Conroy

This is a recording.

Former longtime NHL center Craig Conroy, 45, enjoyed his most fruitful years with the Calgary Flames, the team he now works for as assistant GM.

Interestingly, Flames GM Brad Treliving's contract is set to expire after this season, and Calgary's campaign officially came to an end Wednesday night. But it's expected Treliving will be re-upped in Calgary, so Conroy's the play here, should the Sabres look west. And, like the other former players mentioned, he's thought to be a rising star in the managerial ranks.

The Flames have put together a team with some strong young talent, something the Sabres have done as well, and Conroy could provide guidance with respect to taking things to the next level.

Phil Housley

Another former Sabre that could take over behind the bench is Phil Housley.

Now 53, the longtime smooth-skating defenseman has been an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators since 2013, and, let's face it, one reason they're a perennial playoff contender is their coaching staff - especially considering the Preds are forever on a tight budget.

Housley was the head coach of the U.S. junior team in 2013 (it won gold), and served as an assistant on the national team at the worlds that same year. He was also an assistant for Team USA at last year's World Cup.

A first-round pick of the Sabres back in 1982, Housley spent the first eight seasons of his career in Buffalo.

He's got the experience, and the history.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox