Missing the NHL Playoffs for the sixth-year has an impact on a team. Especially the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sabres announced Thursday that they fired both Sabres fired general manager Tim Murray and coach Dan Bylsma.
Murray had backed Bylsma returning for a third season as Sabres coach as recently as last week but admitted that the future of both Bylsma and himself rested with team owner Terry Pegula.
“After reviewing the past season and looking at the future of our organization, Kim [Pegula] and I have decided to relieve General Manager Tim Murray and Head Coach Dan Bylsma of their duties,” Terry Pegula said in a statement. “We want to thank Tim and Dan for their hard work and efforts that they have put in during their tenures with the club. We wish them luck. We have begun the process to fill these positions immediately.”
It’s been rumored that Buffalo’s 20-year-old franchise cornerstone Jack Eichel may not want to sign long term with the Sabres because he is tired of losing.
Eichel has one year left on his entry-level contract. The team and Eichel can start negotiating a contract extension on July 1st.