The Buffalo Sabres made a major move on Monday by canning Kevyn Adams and anointing Jarmo Kekalainen as the team’s new GM. The move was a long time coming for some. But it was a case of better late than never.
But as the prevailing chatter goes, replacing Adams could just be the tip of the iceberg. As such, the Sabres’ next move could come behind the bench. That change may not be long off into the distance.
According to insider Frank Seravalli, the Sabres could be moving swiftly. He stated:
“Wouldn’t be shocked if there was a coaching change made at some point in the relatively near future.”
The comments came on December 15. That’s about 10 days away from Christmas. So, the Sabres might either make the move now or wait until after Christmas. The roster freeze hits on December 20. Under such circumstances, the optics of a coaching change may not look good at that point.
But replacing Lindy Ruff may be the next major move, without gutting the roster. Ruff is in his second go-around with the Sabres. His first stint came from 1998 to 2013. During that time, the Sabres made the Stanley Cup Final. It was also under Ruff’s first tenure that Buffalo last made the playoffs.
After a carousel of coaches, Adams hired Ruff as a means of potentially reviving past glory days. But it hasn’t quite gone that way. Since taking over for Don Granato last season, Ruff is 50-53-11. A pedestrian mark that won’t be taking the Sabres anywhere.
Parting with the former Jack Adams winner will be tough in some ways, but necessary. It’s unclear who may take over for the Sabres, if the move happens at all.
In-Season Coaching Change May Be Tough for Sabres
Unless the Sabres already have a replacement in mind, making an in-season coaching change won’t be easy. Typically, teams making in-season moves behind the bench either promote an assistant to the top role or promote an AHL coach.
That situation could mean promoting one of Ruff’s four assistant coaches, or potentially calling up Michael Leone, head coach of the Sabres’ AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.
If the club went in that direction, the next coach could be nothing more than a placeholder for a new bench boss hired during the summer. But in that case, it might be best to just let Ruff run out the season.
Buffalo Might Just Let Ruff Ride off into the Sunset
Ruff signed a two-year contract last season to return to Buffalo. There has been chatter about Ruff not looking to return after this season, potentially retiring. If that’s the case, the Sabres might just let Ruff ride off into the sunset this season.
The Sabres have played well at times under Ruff this year. So, there might be a sliver of hope that the club can build on down the middle. Leaving Ruff behind the bench for now buys the club some time to find a permanent solution.
Perhaps new GM Kekalainen already has someone in mind. But unless that’s the case, the Sabres may be better off giving the veteran coach a shot to go out on his terms.
Sabres Next Move Could Come Behind Bench: Insider