Would the Buffalo Sabers look to Pete DeBoer to solve their problems?
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio and was asked about the Buffalo sabers and the potential changes that could occur if things do not change. Could Pete DeBoer find his way behind the Sabers bench?
NHLRumors.com Transcripts
Gord Stellick: “Talk about hot water. Okay, I don’t want to get into the Buffalo Sabers, but what I’m asking is because Scott has brought it up a number of times with Peter DeBoer, and let’s look like Doug Armstrong said last year: very candid now that he made his coaching change much later, but he said that when Jim Montgomery became available, that changed the situation in St. Louis.
So I don’t know how many teams are thinking, okay, Peter DeBoer is the icing on the sundae that we need to get, and I don’t know how quickly a team can make a move. But other than that, like Buffalo, after three games, where are we at with any potential moves, versus staying completely right and staying the course?”
NHL Rumors: Could We See Trades Before US Thanksgiving?
Elliotte Friedman: “I think they should at least talk about it internally, Gordie. I mean, like you said, they played tonight (Wednesday) the way I think, and I agree with you on this. Don’t kick anyone if they’re in trouble. I think what adds to the level of that something could happen is that they’ve created a situation where there’s a built-in replacement within the organization, at least at the level of the general manager.
Is there change in the not so distant future?
Kevyn Adams is in the final year of his contract and Jarmo Kekäläinen has been hired. So whether rightly or wrongly, it’s hard not to look at that and say if the Buffalo Sabers wanted to make that move, it’s an easy move. Lindy Ruff, I think that’s a little bit of a different animal in the sense that Terry Pegula really pushed for that hire. It is believed, although I don’t know, I don’t think for certain that Ruff is part of his deal and will be coaching there. Ruff could fill a front office role or another role in the organization after he is done as head coach.
But I think circumstances require it, and I think you’re right about DeBoer. Despite the way he left last year in Dallas. He took the (Dallas) Stars to the Western Conference Finals three times in a row. He has taken a number of different teams to the Stanley Cup Final. Teams’ freshmen tend to turn around pretty quickly on him.
NHL Rumors: Alex Tuch’s agents comment on his contract situation with the Buffalo Sabres
Concerns about Buffalo are already widespread
The other thing is just the way the Sabers play. As Ruff himself said, they lack competition in one game. Then they’re not really a great audit team, and part of that is personnel. I know the hope is that you make the change. You hire someone who can solve that problem.
So I just don’t, I talked about it this week too. Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson have said something like, “This year has to be a year where you show us something, right?” It’s hard not to look at it and say, boy, it’s a concern early on. You don’t want your franchise players looking around and saying maybe some other place is better for me.”
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s new and we’re just getting started. Rumors overviews and hot topics from around the league. We also post some stuff Instagram.
#Pete #DeBoer #find #Buffalo