The Buffalo Sabres have had to make a sudden coaching change.
In an official announcement on Saturday, it was revealed that head coach Don Granato won't be on the bench for the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to illness. No specifics about the illness have been disclosed.
The Sabres released the following statement:
Interestingly, the Sabres opted not to have one of their regular coaches step in for Granato. Instead, Seth Appert, the head coach of the Sabres AHL affiliate team, the Rochester Americans, will temporarily fill Granato's role. This decision suggests the organization's confidence in Appert's coaching abilities.
Buffalo Sabres GM followed up with an update on Don Granato's future and makes a statement regarding the frustration of the fans.
Granato is currently in his third full season as head coach, having taken over with 28 games remaining in the 2020-21 campaign.
The Sabres have not secured a playoff berth under Granato's leadership. In the 2022-23 season, the team finished with a record of 42-33-7, amassing 91 points, just one point short of the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Do you think Granato should get fired?
POLL | ||
30 DECEMBRE | 335 ANSWERS BREAKING: Buffalo Sabres Officially Make A Coaching Change Do you think Don Granato should get fired? | ||
Yes | 206 | 61.5 % |
No | 129 | 38.5 % |
List of polls |