Sabres fire head coach Ted Nolan
The Buffalo Sabres have relieved Ted Nolan of his duties as head coach.
The team announced the decision Sunday, ending Nolan's second stint as coach with Buffalo. He replaced Ron Rolston as interim Sabres coach in November 2013 and posted a 40-87-17 record with the rebuilding franchise.
The Sabres finished at the bottom of the NHL in each of the last two seasons, posting the league's worst goal differential (-204) and the worst shot attempt differential (-2,757) in that span.
"I don't think it was a bad fit. I don't think it was a great fit," general manager Tim Murray told reporters at a press conference. "Maybe it's just chemistry. Maybe it's just two different personalities."
#Sabres GM Tim Murray: I want to thank Coach Nolan and his staff for showing up to the rink every day with a good attitude and working hard.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 12, 2015
Assistant coach Danny Flynn was also let go, along with Bryan Trottier and Tom Coolen.
TSN's Bob McKenzie believes the Sabres are very interested in Mike Babcock as a potential replacement, joining the growing legion of teams eyeing the Detroit Red Wings coach as his contract nears its end. McKenzie cites Sabres general manager Tim Murray's history with Babcock and owner Terry Pegula's deep pockets as possible factors.
That said, it's still too soon to say Babcock will even hit the open market. In meantime, lots of coaching activity coming in NHL. Buckle up
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) April 12, 2015
Nolan previously coached Buffalo for two seasons in the '90s, capturing the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year after leading the Sabres to a Northeast Division title in 1996-97. Despite his success, Nolan was not offered a reasonable contract extension and he didn't get another NHL head coaching job for a decade due to his reputation as a GM-killer.
As for Nolan's future, the 57-year-old will take his time before deciding what to do next.
"I'm just going to reflect on it and come out with a statement in the next couple of days," Nolan told the Associated Press after receiving the news.