Let me preface this article with letting everyone know I am a die-hard Buffalo Sabres fan. I grew up in the city, and have followed every move the Sabres have made since I could talk. It’s the first news item I search for every day when I turn on my computer.
I have been very fortunate to meet and get to know many Sabres players over the years. Later in life as an Adviser and Agent I have had the opportunity to get to know many of the hockey people within the organization.
Like all Sabres fans, I have been disappointed in recent years with the performance on the ice. While I think much has been done of late to stockpile a lot of great young talent, I did not believe in Ron Rolston as a Head Coach, and as much as Darcy Regier did a great job in getting that young talent and draft picks, it became clear that he was not the right person to lead the team into the future.
Not too long ago I wrote a piece about Patrick Roy and why he was perfect for the NHL and the Avalanche. Not that I can predict the future, but he has certainly brought the franchise back with Joe Sakic. secretly I had hopped all summer that Roy would end up with the Sabres.
Yesterday, the Sabres went back to the future with the hiring of Pat LaFontaine and Ted Nolan. Some pundits are calling this a confusing move, some are saying it wont work, while the fans of the Sabres are generally very excited.
I have had the pleasure of meeting both Nolan and LaFontaine. I remember telling Nolan as his first contract was set to expire in Buffalo that I felt he should take them to the bank. Little did I know he would soon be gone from the organization that he played a critical role in turning into a contender.
Ted Nolan is a work horse on the bench and in the office. He knows how to get the most out of his players. A motivator with a mindset that teaches players that they will have the opportunity to succeed, but with that opportunity comes the responsibility to perform in all areas of the ice. A blue-collar coach with a blue-collar work ethic. Perfect for the city of Buffalo, and just one of the many reasons fans have always loved Nolan.
While some are saying Nolan may not be able to work with the Sabres younger players, those same people probably don’t know what he has been doing lately. Nolan works with players all the time in Sault Ste. Marie during the summer. Some of those players, the young ones are now playing for the NAHL’s Soo Eagles. Nolan has plenty of experience at the junior level and had success grooming those young players. The young Sabres players may take a minute to adapt to his hard-working style, but in the end they will improve.
LaFontaine is one of the best players to ever put on the Sabres sweater. Some may say LaFontaine does not have the experience needed to be the President of Hockey Operations. Nothing could be further from the truth.
LaFontaine has been working with a developing young talent on Long Island for years since his retirement. One example is Frank DiChiara who is now attending Yale after a successful junior career. LaFontaine can identify young talent and has a knack for relating to people in a way that will serve him very well when developing the Sabres as an organization. A communicator who has been there and done that as a player. An administrator that players will have a hard time questioning based upon his playing resume.
Does all of this mean the Sabres will get to the playoffs this year? I doubt it. But it does add up to an organization that is taking some chances and making bold decisions.
While Sabres Owner Terry Pegula, may have been a little slow on pulling the trigger to make changes, he did make a change when he saw the right opportunity with what he believes are the right people.
Tomorrow looks a whole lot better than it did just a day ago for Sabres fans. While it may take a little time for things to take hold on the ice, one thing is for sure, the Sabres will once again return to being the hardest working team in the NHL. The last time that happened, they did pretty damn good.
Joseph Kolodziej – Publisher
