Buffalo, New York – Following a disappointing season that saw the Buffalo Sabres miss the playoffs for the 13th consecutive year, the team made the decision to part ways with head coach Don Granato. Granato, who had been at the helm for the past three seasons, took over as interim coach in 2020 and then transitioned into the head coach role. Despite showing signs of improvement in his tenure with the team, Buffalo fell short of expectations for the most recent season, leading to his dismissal.
Under Granato’s leadership, the Sabres accumulated 75, 91, and 84 points in consecutive seasons. However, the team’s inability to secure a playoff berth ultimately led to Granato’s departure. General manager Kevyn Adams expressed gratitude for Granato’s contributions to player development but emphasized the need for a change in direction to achieve consistent competitiveness.
In addition to Granato’s exit, assistant coach Jason Christie and video coordinator Matt Smith were also let go by the Sabres. The team now faces the task of finding a new head coach to lead them forward. Despite early signs of progress under Granato, Buffalo struggled to meet the expectations set for the season, with deficiencies in key areas such as power play efficiency and defensive performance contributing to their downfall.
Prior to the decision to part ways with Granato, the Sabres had signed him to a contract extension, set to take effect in the upcoming season. Despite this show of confidence in his leadership, the team’s performance fell short of expectations, leading to his departure. With the search for a new head coach underway, the Sabres aim to turn their fortunes around and break free from their playoff drought.
Granato’s departure marks the latest coaching change for the team under owner Terry Pegula, highlighting the challenges of maintaining stability and success in a competitive league. As Buffalo sets its sights on a fresh start, the search for a new head coach presents an opportunity for the team to redefine its path and work towards ending their playoff drought.