Updated:
The Buffalo Sabres have hired hockey Hall of Famer Craig Patrick as a special advisor.
Tim Murray is the new GM.
Much more to come....
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The Buffalo Sabres have promoted former Amerks head coach Randy Cunneyworth to be a special assistant and player development coach for the Rochester Americans. In his new job, Cunneyworth will work to develop players in Rochester and serve as a liaison to the Sabres. Cunneyworth re-joined the Sabres/Amerks organization in November as a pro scout.
You'll recall that Darcy Regier hired Cunneyworth in November to be a scout and to work with Patrick Kaleta in re-habbing and renovating his aggressive ways.
Sabres president of hockey operations Pat LaFontaine issued this statement on Wednesday night:
“This is an exciting opportunity to fully utilize all of Randy’s expertise as a hockey coach and mentor,… said Pat LaFontaine, Buffalo's president of hockey operations. “Randy will work to ensure that the link between the Sabres and Amerks grows even stronger. Our goal is to make sure that the Amerks continue to thrive in developing and harnessing talent at the AHL level to be a reliable pipeline of NHL-ready players for the Sabres’ roster in the future.…
At first blush, I like the move. I have always admired Cunneyworth's communication skills and calming influence on younger players. Its a shame that he was tarred and feathered by Montreal media and fans for not being a bilingual speaking coach. Cunneyworth was an excellent head coach for the Canadiens and he had a profound influence on a young PK Subban in his fuirst year of pro hockey. Subban has since won a Norris Trophy for the NHL's best defenseman. Subban was named to Team Canada's Olympic team on Tuesday.
I'm wonder how "Cunney" can work with and develop center Mikhail Grigorenko, who isn't eligible to play in the AHL until next season. Grigo needs TLC and guidance now, nit next summer. He could benefit greatly from Cunneyworth's brand of coaching magic. Ted Nolan reiterated again on Wednesday that he's not sure when the 19 year old Russian will be returning to Buffalo. Grigorenko was voted Team Russia's best forward by its coaches at the recently concluded IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Malmo, Sweden. Grigorenko scored 5 goals and added 3 assists in 7 games played. Team Russia defeated Team Canada last Sunday to earn its second WJC bronze medal in a row. Grigorenko is once again floating in no-man's land, caught between a rock and a hard place. He's not allowed to play in Rochester as a 19 year old. Therefore, the Sabres can opt to bring him back to Buffalo for another kick at the can. Or, he can report back to the Quebec Remparts to resume his junior hockey career. My opinion: sending Grigo back to junior is a quantum leap backwards. The kid needs a coach like Cunneyworth to mentor and guide him through the NHL learning curve. Why can't Cunneyworth work with the kid in Buffalo as well as working with the kids in Rochester? In pro baseball, there are "roaving instructors". Why can't Lafontaine expand Cunneyworth's role to include player development responsibilities in Buffalo?
The promotion of Cunneyworth great news for future Sabres stars Rasmus Ristolainen, Joel Armia, Chadd Ruhwedel, Johan Larsson, Dan Catenacci and the rest of the kids on the farm. Whoever the Sabres hire as GM will have two fists full of premium draft choices this season and next to invest in more young difference makers who will play roles in the Buffalo re-build in future years.
Before re-joining the organization, Cunneyworth served as interim head coach for the Montreal Canadiens after being promoted to assistant coach of the Canadiens following a one-year stint as head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL). He guided the Canadiens to an 18-23-9 record in 50 games after taking over for head coach Jacques Martin midway through the 2011-12 season.
Prior to his time with the Canadiens organization, Cunneyworth spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Thrashers (2008-09 and 2009-10). Cunneyworth began his coaching career as a player-coach under Rochester Americans head coach Brian McCutcheon during the 1999-2000 AHL season. He was hired by the Americans to serve as head coach the following season and retained that post for eight seasons, where he compiled a 306-273-61 record.
Source: Sabres.com
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