Speculation: The Coaching Search (Friedman: Ruff to be next HC)

[TageGod]

I may be in the Majority here, but I'd rather not have Lindy back as coach. I know it could happen, but if I had my 'druthers, I'd pick someone else.

I don't want this team to become like the Sabres of old. That era is over and gone. This is a perfect opportunity to establish a new identity, a new team. Get a coach with no ties to Buffalo, and let them create a "new" Sabres team if you will.

Get the entire team to play a 200' game, unleash the offense, improve the PP, etc. Get us back into the playoffs, and a contender for years to come, and don't look back.

No matter what coach they hire, they'll all have complaints about them. It's a coaching carousel. Pick one with a proven record of winning, especially in the playoffs. One of Boudreau, Gallant, Berube, Sullivan, or RBA please.

Move forward, look ahead - use lessons learned, and build a winning roster.

Now, get out there and win baby, win!

Fixed it for you.

 

[old kummelweck]

Adams also indicated this wasn't something he just thought up on the flight back from Florida.

Someone else brought it up, but there are some weird timeline issues. If you look at Granato in the post-game interview after the final game, he doesn't look like anyone that has a clue what is coming. Then the media availability thing where they announced his Friday presser.

Adam's may have been throwing the idea around, but I am wondering if he wasn't pushed a little by Pegula+. Lets not forget Adams first act as GM was to clean house - he has no issue being the hatchet man.

 

[TageGod]

I could see Wahlberg making the team before the likes of Savoie/Kulich/Rosen if Ruff or Berube are coach.

I don't imagine any coach would give someone a slot because of size. However, He does have a role opportunity on 4th line, whereas Savoie would not.

 

[Chainshot]

Someone else brought it up, but there are some weird timeline issues. If you look at Granato in the post-game interview after the final game, he doesn't look like anyone that has a clue what is coming. Then the media availability thing where they announced his Friday presser.

Adam's may have been throwing the idea around, but I am wondering if he wasn't pushed a little by Pegula+. Lets not forget Adams first act as GM was to clean house - he has no issue being the hatchet man.

It would've been even weirder if Adams was thinking about it and hadn't acted yet if they had only announced his Friday availability.

 

[Dingo44]

It would've been even weirder if Adams was thinking about it and hadn't acted yet if they had only announced his Friday availability.

I think Adams like he said already knew but until he says anything to Donnie or the team they are going to keep planning because until he was fired Donnie was still the coach.

 

[Chainshot]

I think Adams like he said already knew but until he says anything to Donnie or the team they are going to keep planning because until he was fired Donnie was still the coach.

Yep. It would've been unprofessional to not have told Don and just leave out his availability before he was told.

 

[Beerz]

I'm with you on this. I like Lindy and everything but there are candidates available that I'd prefer to have lead the team to the next level and beyond.

I would prefer to have Lindy in front office

 

[CowbellConray]

Another reason I could see Ruff being the choice - Adams mentioned wanting home games to be loud and proud. Ruff may bring in some people who want to see another successful run with him at the helm

 

[Chainshot]

I would prefer to have Lindy in front office

Same. Senior Advisor, akin to Dudley with the Panthers... and hiring Dudley away from Florida would suit me just fine too.

 

[Dubi Doo]

From the digging I've done, it seems like the most common complaint about Berube is his lack of Xs and Os....that Ott seemed to be the Xs and Os guy behind the bench. That hasn't really been a major complaint about Gallant.

That's why I lean toward Gallant over Berube.

I loved the way thise Vegas teams played. Some of that is on the players, but the coach deserves credit, too. I'd be fine with Gallant, and I too am leaning toward him over the others unless Rod becomes available.

 

[5 Minute Major]

Gallant and Ruff met in the playoffs against each other. That led to Gallant’s firing.

Rangers 'part ways' with coach Gerard Gallant after first-round playoff exit

Despite a very successful record in two seasons, Gerard Gallant was fired as the coach of the Rangers following the series loss to the Devils.

www.lohud.com

“While many of the Rangers' top players struggled in that series and deserve blame for the outcome, the coaching change reinforces the sentiment that Gallant was outmaneuvered by Jersey bench boss Lindy Ruff.


The Devils made critical adjustments, both in terms of their lineup choices and fast-paced style of play, while the Blueshirts failed to come up with effective counter moves.”

 

[MeenOlViks]

Fixed it for you.

I don't want Lindy but I think KA's "plan" is executing what Terry wants, and Terry wants the seats filled and the rift between the players and fans gone asap...I can't see anyone other that Lindy based solely on Terrys track record

 

[Fjordy]

Gallant and Ruff met in the playoffs against each other. That led to Gallant’s firing.

Rangers 'part ways' with coach Gerard Gallant after first-round playoff exit

Despite a very successful record in two seasons, Gerard Gallant was fired as the coach of the Rangers following the series loss to the Devils.

www.lohud.com

“While many of the Rangers' top players struggled in that series and deserve blame for the outcome, the coaching change reinforces the sentiment that Gallant was outmaneuvered by Jersey bench boss Lindy Ruff.


The Devils made critical adjustments, both in terms of their lineup choices and fast-paced style of play, while the Blueshirts failed to come up with effective counter moves.”

Gallant is definitely not suitable here, Ruff is even better at developing youth, and Gallant, on the contrary, relies on veterans, of whom we have almost none.

 

[5 Minute Major]

Though this shouldn’t have anything to do with who Adams picks, I can’t imagine how bad the atmosphere would be at the arena if it’s not Ruff and they start off the season slow.

 

[old kummelweck]

I would prefer to have Lindy in front office

He could still end up there. Kick them in the ass for a year or two, then you can go with a Peca or similar.

 

[Matt Ress]

I don't imagine any coach would give someone a slot because of size. However, He does have a role opportunity on 4th line, whereas Savoie would not.

I hope that's not an expectation next season. I was stopping in to note that most seasoned HCs prefer veterans so I wonder if a Savoie or Kulich even have a chance.

 

[Bobby Bottle Service]

Though this shouldn’t have anything to do with who Adams picks, I can’t imagine how bad the atmosphere would be at the arena if it’s not Ruff and they start off the season slow.

If it's one of the big names... Berube, RBA... I think the fans have patience. If it's Appert, there could be rioting in the streets.

 

[Bobby Bottle Service]

I hope that's not an expectation next season. I was stopping in to note that most seasoned HCs prefer veterans so I wonder if a Savoie or Kulich even have a chance.

Savoie will be a tough sell for a coach who prefers veterans. He'll need a Benson like pre-season to earn it.

OTOH, Kulich has 2 seasons of professional hockey under his belt.

 

[KrakenSabresMike]

If it's one of the big names... Berube, RBA... I think the fans have patience. If it's Appert, there could be rioting in the streets.

There’s no way it’s appert after yesterday

 

[Faceboner]

Obviously not a popular opinion given all the posts so far, but I do not think Berube can take this group to the next level. For him to be successful, I think Adams would have to significantly rebuild this roster, which is unrealistic imo.

I feel like posters want Berube because he is the polar opposite of Granato, and are looking for that tough to play for task-master, but I believe this team needs a coach who is smarter in the Xs and Os department than Craig Berube.

This team needs a coach that teaches them how to play together, not just harder.

Exactly they play hard enough the problem was not knowing where the other guys were going most of the time

 

[Bobby Bottle Service]

A coach with a proven NHL track record.
A coach with a connection to upstate NY.
A former Jack Adams award winner.


Nolan III

 

[Bobby Bottle Service]

There’s no way it’s appert after yesterday

Agreed. However if GMKA waits around for RBA to make a decision this summer, there may not be a better option left.

From his presser, I don't think the qualities he listed for the next coach was a wish list. I think he was quoting Lindy's resume. My hunch is that the conversation started weeks ago and the agreement is already in place.

 

[Chainshot]

If it is Lindy, I wonder who else he brings to his staff.

 

[Irie]

I think Berube meets all the requirements that Adams voiced yesterday.

In the press conference, Adams said it is "critically important and top of the list" that the next coach be (paraphrasing) approachable and not someone they are scared of. He also stressed that the next coach has to be able to "communicate, more than ever, one on one with players, articulate what expectations are when you step on that ice, but also build a relationship".

Good chance Berube is probably not on the short list here.

 

[Irie]

If it is Lindy, I wonder who else he brings to his staff.

It is so bizarre to me that of all the staff, they kept Ellis and Wilford. The two guys who's areas of coaching were the worst the past two season. Wilford last season and Ellis this season.

The entire staff had jobs because they were really good people, not because they were good at their jobs. Seems like some of that may still be present with Adam's decisions.