The Buffalo Sabres Will Interview Two Major Head Coaching Candidates

The Buffalo Sabres have just had a season they rather forget. Okay, let's be honest, they've had a few seasons they rather forget. They haven't made the playoffs since 2011 and since then have finished last in the NHL multiple times, including the 2020-2021 season that saw struggles in offense, defense and goaltending.

Former head coach Ralph Krueger was fired during the season and Don Granato finished the regular season as the interim coach.

The Sabres have reportedly already begun the search for their next head coach. According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic, Buffalo has lined up interviews with both Rick Tocchet and Bruce Boudreau.

Tocchet played 17 seasons in the NHL from 1984-2001 and has been a former head coach of both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Arizona Coyotes. He's also served as an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche.

Boudreau also played 17 years in the NHL, from 1975-1992, and has been an NHL coach for the last 13 years. He's been a head coach for the Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild -- winning 567 games, which makes him one of the most successful coaches over the last 20 years in the NHL.

Get our free mobile app

LeBrun also says the Sabres are looking in the college hockey ranks for head coaching candidates and interim coach Don Granato is still in the mix.

We'll see what direction they decided to go but they absolutely need to get this hire right after a decade of underperforming and feeling pressure from the fanbase in Western New York.