The Buffalo Sabres made a significant decision to fire coach Don Granato after completing his third full season with the team. Granato took over on an interim basis in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2021 season but failed to lead the team to playoff contention. The move to let go of Granato came as a surprise, especially considering he still had two seasons left on his contract. This decision marked the seventh time a coach has been ousted during the NHL-record 13-season playoff drought for the Sabres.
Despite finishing the season with a 39-27-6 record, the Sabres were eliminated from playoff contention last week. The team struggled throughout the season, winning three straight games just twice and failing to overcome slow starts in games. This performance was far from what was expected from a team that had hopes of contending for a playoff spot. General manager Kevyn Adams declared the team’s window of contention as open at the start of the season, but injuries, goaltending inconsistencies, and a shift to a more defensive style of play hampered the Sabres’ success.
The decision to part ways with Granato may have been influenced by the team’s decline in offensive production and overall performance. After finishing third in the NHL in goals scored the previous season, the Sabres dropped to 22nd in the league in scoring. Additionally, the team’s defensive improvements were overshadowed by poor starts in games, as they allowed a league-worst 97 goals in the first period. Granato’s coaching philosophy and inability to address these issues may have contributed to his dismissal.
Following the announcement of his firing, Granato declined to address his status and instead focused on the Sabres’ final game of the season. He expressed his commitment to improving the team and franchise every day, highlighting his dedication to the job at hand. Despite his efforts, Granato’s tenure with the Sabres ended with a record of 122-125-27, leaving the team in search of a new head coach.
The Sabres now face the challenge of finding a new head coach, marking the sixth coaching change since Lindy Ruff was fired in 2012. The team’s inability to sustain success and end their playoff drought has led to a constant turnover in coaching staff, creating instability within the organization. As the Sabres look towards the future, the focus will be on finding a coach who can lead the team back to contention and establish a winning culture in Buffalo.
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