It seems the Buffalo Sabres had their next head coach right in front of them all along. After an exhaustive search, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has announced that Don Granato will lose his interim tag and become the next full-time head coach of the Sabres, signing a three-year contract.
Granato, 53, has actually been with the Sabres since the beginning of 2019-20, coming over from the Chicago Blackhawks after Joel Quenneville made his exit. It wasn’t until partway through this season that he got his first opportunity to serve as head coach in the NHL though, taking over when Ralph Krueger was fired in March. The Sabres were on a 12-game losing streak at the time, and though they certainly didn’t turn things around completely, there was far more competitiveness out of the group under Granato down the stretch.
In 28 games behind the Buffalo bench, Granato posted a 9-16-3 record, still not good enough to come anywhere close to the playoffs. But it’s the way the players seemed much more engaged that is encouraging, at least for a franchise that will grab onto any grain of hope at this point.
This isn’t Granato’s first time as a head coach overall. He led the USNTDP for several years and was a head coach of both the Worcester IceCats and Chicago Wolves in the AHL. He has led several junior-aged iterations of Team USA internationally, leading the U18 squad to gold in 2015. He’s also part of quite the hockey family. His brother Tony Granato played 773 games in the NHL and is now the head coach at the University of Wisconsin. His sister Cammi Granato is in the Hockey Hall of Fame after an incredible playing career that included Olympic gold, and her husband, Ray Ferraro, scored over 400 goals in a 1,258-game NHL career.
There is certainly a lot of encouraging signs with the hire of Granato, but that doesn’t mean it comes without risk. Once again, the Sabres are going with a rookie head coach to try and bring together a group that has had zero success over the past decade. Once again, it’ll mean his biggest task will be developing the top-end prospects that litter the organization, turning them into real difference-makers at the NHL level. There is certainly no guarantee he can accomplish that, even if the last few months of the season were better than under his predecessor.
Darren Dreger of TSN was first to break the news that Granato would get a multi-year deal.
An unqualified interim hired full time hires an unqualified interim full time.
I should cut Eichel more slack. He’s just trying to survive this dumpster inferno.
@forwhomjoshbelltolled
I mean they were better under Granato, so it’s sort of right they give him the chance.
Also, it could be the Pagulas (who are currently looking to build a new stadium for the Bills) may have ordered Adams to look on the cheap side of things… or maybe it was that Granato was the only coach that even wanted to sniff the BS coming out of Buffalo for the price Terry and Kim were offering.
My bet is somewhere in between. Also, per LaBrun it’s a 3 year deal.
Forget hockey, sports history is LITTERED with examples of teams that play well under an interim coach for a short burst.
Typically, it’s teams with bad rooms and cultures who (and this is the key, simultaneously) feel the joy of ridding a coach they disliked AND not having the burden of expectations on them and play well for a short period of time before the excitement leaves, teams adjust and the grind returns.
But, next season when they are now supposed to win because the hot streak raised expecations, they fall flat.
Certainly, there are some who succeed, but it’s generally a terrible, terrible idea to hire a guy you would not have otherwise even considered because they had a few good weeks.
looking at you MON…
The previous 2 GMs definitely made some bad choices. But after the 18 game losing streak ended the Sabres played almost .500 hockey.
T. Hall stopped playing after the first 10 games.
Eichel played hurt & was shut down.
Risto missed a lot of games due to Covid.
Skinner was a no show (GMJB’s biggest blunder/resign).
They had a few more Dmen on the IL/lost for the season.
They were also playing their 5th & 6th string goalies.
Biggest positives under Granato?
Their RS goals almost doubled under Granato.
Their Goals differential went from (about) -60 to a -20 (under Granato).
Their only 3 EN goals came under Granato.
& the kids played a lot better & spirited (Casey, Dahlin, Tage, Arttu, Asplund, Cozens etc) under Granato. Keep in mind they were without Eichel down the stretch.
Clearly can’t (or won’t) read the rest of my comment after the first sentence. But that’s cool. Continue to bathe in ignorance
@forwhomjoshbelltolled – But, Don Granato showed he has the ability to reach some or most of the players, albeit in a very limited sample size. The Eichel stuff is its own soap opera, but this may help the Sabres get going again. I’m going to go wash my mouth out with soap now, because that sounds like me rooting for Pegula success… :( I’d like to see Donny G succeed, though.
Mac try a little Caster Oil, not as many bubbles , had a few shots of both when I was young. roflmao
@riverrat55 – G, you do know my all-time fave is Lifebuoy, just like in that movie! :)
Personally, I like them keeping him on. The younger players relate to him and he was able to get some of them to take big steps forward. Maybe they all grow into their jobs together. What’s worst case scenario? Fire him after a year or a year and a half. That’s been the past experience anyway. Give him a chance and let them mature into their jobs together.
Biggest joke going in the NHL! Waste of time for next 2 years. Def won’t go out of my way to watch a game on tv. Let alone spend money towards them! Might as well ship Eichel, Reinhart, Risto now. No chance Ullmark comes back! Lol a goalie tandem of tokarski, and houser for upcoming season too! And for those that say the “Younger players played better under him, GREAT but that belongs in the AHL to develop these kids NOT NHL!”
Eichel to Anaheim for Zegras, their 1st and maybe a player and/or draft pick. Reinhart to LA for Turcotte and their first. Risto to anywhere as long as he’s not a liability to the Sabres anymore. These trades would give every Sabres fan a reason to hope. On top of that a coach that works well with young players and already has the respect of the ones on the team. They need to leave high priced free agents alone for the next 2 years and focus on a young core. Give them playing time and experience playing together. Next year is a growing year, but if they do it right they could be competing for a playoff spot in 2 years.
Reinhart is not worth the 8th pick and Turcotte
Oh please.
Casey showed he belongs in the NHL. He weighs about 200lbs & he is now 21. GMTM made mistakes in trading away draft picks instead of drafting prospects with them. GMJB was definitely not ready to be the main man. Eichel & Sam definitely do not want to be in Buffalo no more so ship them out. Dahlin & this year’s #1 overall will become the franchise players. Cozens, Quinn & Casey will be part of the future up front scoring goals. The team still has other younger players to give playing time. The team still has to address the goalie situation this offseason but Ullmark only played in about 20 games this past season (him & Hutton forced the Sabres to play their 5th & 6th string goalies). Get some draft picks & a few younger players for Eichel & Sam in trades & give the younger players that remain the ice time.
@bt I’d like to think you’re crazy if you think your getting Zegras from my Ducks for a injured Eichel. Then again, Bob Murray is also an idiot.
It’s a weak draft and Turcotte is unproven. Reinhart is accomplished and thriving. Shown he can play wing or center. Not just a top 6, but a top 3. If they don’t want to pay the price for him I hope the Sabres can resign him to a contract similar to what Nugent-Hopkins is rumored to be getting. 8 yrs $41 million. He would be a great first line center moving forward for us if they can get him to believe in Granato. Which shouldn’t be that hard considering the success Reinhart had under him and he got to play center again.
I agree, reinhart should wait it out and see what comes into the organization with the Eichel deal.
He got some of the young kids to finally start producing, may as well give him a chance.
When Eichel’s action off the ice are bigger than on you certainly need to ponder his TEAM worth? Buffalo has been a mess top to bottom. Players out of position, lack of effort and just painful to watch. Jack as a team leader has been a piece of that. Could he handle his injuries better? Could he be a leader? Could he score more? Could he carry Buffalo into the next step? Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes. BUT! In reality the answer to each is a resounding NO. So either Jack is a part of the team or he needs to go somewhere else that prefers the drama. Granato is a step in the right direction. the younger players responded to him as veterans were still dragging things down. The team has a good mix if they get off their cans and get to work!