Updated:
The Buffalo Sabres have asked for and been granted permission to interview former Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma.
Craig Custance confirmed this report.
Bylsma and former Pens GM Ray Shero were fired by together last May.
Bylsma has been working in broadcasting. He recently served as an assistant coach on Team USA's bronze medal winning squad at the IIHF World Hockey Championships in Prague, Czech Republic. Bylsma had a front row seat for Jack Eichel's breakout performances at the Worlds.
Bylsma coached generational players Crosby and Malkin in Pittsburgh.
Ted Black, Terry Pegula and the Sabres have strong ties with the Pittsburgh Penguins front office. Tim Murray worked in Anaheim's front office when Bylsma was a player for the Mighty Ducks.
Sabres GM Tim Murray wants to have his new head coach hired and ready to go when the Sabres host the NHL Draft Combine which will be held at First Niagara Center June 1-5.
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The sun came up over the eastern edge of Western New York this morning.
I saw it with my own two eyes.
Page turned. Moved on.
Tim Murray turned up the juice on the search for the next head coach of the Buffalo Sabres. Since the Noon hour on Wednesday, Murray has been a man on a mission.
If he hasn't done so already, Murray should get in the truck and drive the eastbound I-90 to Binghamton, NY. That's where Murray's friend and confidante Luke Richardson lives.
In 2012, Murray hired a green, out of the box hockey coach in Richardson. Murray's gut feeling about Richardson was correct. The guy is a tremendous leader and a mentor. In his three seasons as bench boss in AHL Bingo, Richardson has built an impressive body of work. Murray had a hunch. He was correct. Luke Richardson is an excellent hockey coach and a better role model for young men.
Murray knows that Richardson is an unrestricted free agent. Richardson is not under contract to the Ottawa Senators for next season.
A few weeks ago, round about the time that Tim Murray was taking his courtship of Mike Babcock to new levels, Richardson declared that he will be willing to listen to NHL coaching opportunities.
On Wednesday afternoon, Babcock stiffed Murray and said "No Thanks" to Terry Pegula's $50 million contract offer.
It's not the end of the world. Life will definitely go on in Buffalo.
Senators GM Bryan Murray and assistant GMs Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee are also keeping open the head coaching position in Binghamton if Richardson opts to stay.
The Senators will likely give Richardson the thumbs up when he wants to move on.
Look at the current Ottawa Senators roster. Richardson's elbow grease and finger prints are all over the roster. Richardson has had a profound effect on the following players and their development:
Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman, Patrick Wiercioch, Stephane Da Costa, Matt Puempel, J.G. Pageau, Cody Ceci, Mark Borowiecki, Mika Zibanejad, Jakob Silfverberg, Eric Gryba, Ben Bishop, Robin Lehner, Andrew Hammond and many others.
Richardson is an active listener and a great practitioner of the fundamentals of the game of hockey. He prepares his players to succeed both physically and mentally.
Tim Murray and Richardson have a very similar view on player development. Murray has a stable full of young, high end thoroughbreds who will need to be taught the NHL lifestyle and way to play. That roster of players includes:
Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, Evander Kane, Zemgus Girgensons, Zach Bogosian, Tyler Ennis, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nikita Zadorov, Marcus Foligno, Hudson Fasching, Nic Deslauriers, Mark Pysyk, Jake McCabe, Nick Baptiste, Justin Bailey, JT Compher, Linus Ullmark, Connor Hurley, Anthony Florentino, and many others,who have not been drafted by Murray yet.
Murray and Richardson vibe and work well together. They collaborated successfully to win a Calder Cup together. They have winning synergy and history together.
Buffalo will be a great landing spot for Richardson and his family.
Richardson wants to do everything possible to stay as close to his daughter, Morgan, who is entering her senior year at Cornell University in nearby Ithaca. Morgan plays hockey. She is a solid player. Luke and his wife Stephanie support Morgan in her academics and athletics.
“I’ve had a great time in Binghamton working with the young guys, but I just want to take some time to think about it, with no commitment to going back,… Richardson said recently.
Richardson, who was working with Binghamton call-ups during the Senators playoff series against Montreal. That's what he does. He's a teacher, mentor, supporter and role model. Luke Richardson speaks the language of the young player.
Richardson isn't a power hungry, egomaniac. He isn't going to be looking over Tim Murray's shoulder regarding power, player selection, and personnel. Richardson is a respected hockey man. He is a teacher, a communicator, a leader--- and a great one at that.
He is tailor made for Buffalo and Buffalo for him.