Acquaint yourself with some guys who may be the next coach of the Buffalo Sabres. I’ve seen/heard 25 names associated with the position, some are realistic and some in jest. All coaches are listed in alphabetical order by last name. Please let me know of anyone I may have missed. Google Drive link may show up better: [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1\_47pCrdfk4mcoWczsHPO\_4T-SyWc\_z\_qeyq44Arrae4/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_47pCrdfk4mcoWczsHPO_4T-SyWc_z_qeyq44Arrae4/edit?usp=sharing)
# Kevyn Adams (age 49)
Hockey Experience:
\-Center for the Niagara Scenics (NAHL) 1990-92
\-Center for the Miami Redskins (NCAA-CCHA) 1992-96
\-Center for the Grand Rapids Griffins (IHL) 1996-97
\-Center for the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) 1997-2000
\-Center for the St. John’s Maple Leafs (AHL) 1997-2000
\-Center for the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) 2000-01
\-Center for the Florida Panthers (NHL) 2001-02
\-Center for the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) 2002-07
\-Center for Düsseldorfer Eislauf Gemeinschaft (DEL) 2004-05 (NHL Lockout)
\-Center for the Phoenix Coyotes (NHL) 2007
\-Center for the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) 2007-08
\-Player Agent for various NHL players 2009-11
\-Assistant Coach for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 2011-13
\-Senior Vice President of Business Administration for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 2019-20
\-General Manager for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 2020-Present
Awards and Honors:
\*1993 Boston Bruins First Round Pick
\*1995 All-CCHA Second Team Center
\*2006 Stanley Cup Champion
# Seth Appert (age 49)
Hockey Experience:
\-Goaltender for the Park High School Wolfpack (HS) 1991-92
\-Goaltender for the Ferris State University Bulldogs (NCAA-CCHA) 1992-96
\-Assistant Coach for the Denver Pioneers (NCAA-NCHC) 1997-2006
\-Head Coach for the Rensselaer Engineers (NCAA-ECAC) 2006-2017
\-Assistant Coach for the United States U18 Team 2007
\-Head Coach for the United States U18 Team 2008
\-Assistant Coach for the United States U18 Team 2017
\-Assistant Coach for United States International Team 2017-18
\-Head Coach for the United States U18 Team 2017-18
\-Head Coach for the Rochester Americans (AHL) 2020-Present
Awards and Honors:
\*2008-11 President of the American Hockey Coaches Association
# Craig Berube (age 58)
Hockey Experience:
\-Left Wing for the Williams Lake Mustangs (PCJHL) 1982-83
\-Left Wing for the Kamloops Oilers (WHL) 1982-83
\-Left Wing for the New Westminster Bruins (WHL) 1983-85
\-Left Wing for the Kamloops Blazers (WHL) 1985-86
\-Left Wing for the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) 1986
\-Left Wing for the Hershey Bears (AHL) 1986-89
\-Left Wing for the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) 1986-91
\-Left Wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) 1991-92
\-Left Wing for the Calgary Flames (NHL) 1992-93
\-Left Wing for the Washington Capitals (NHL) 1993-99
\-Left Wing for the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) 1999-2000
\-Left Wing for the Washington Capitals (NHL) 2000-01
\-Left Wing for the New York Islanders (NHL) 2001
\-Left Wing for the Calgary Flames (NHL) 2001-03
\-Left Wing for the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL) 2003-04
\-Head Coach for the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL) 2006
\-Assistant Coach for the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) 2006-07
\-Head Coach for the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL) 2007-13
\-Head Coach for the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) 2013-15
\-Scout for Canada International Team 2016
\-Head Coach for the Chicago Wolves (AHL) 2016-17
\-Assistant Coach for the St. Louis Blues (NHL) 2017-18
\-Head Coach for the St. Louis Blues (NHL) 2018-24
Awards and Honors:
\*2016 World Cup of Hockey Champion
\*2019 Stanley Cup Champion
# Bruce Boudreau (age 69)
Hockey Experience:
\-Center for the Toronto Marlboros (OHA) 1972-74
\-Center for the Toronto Marlboros (OMJHL) 1974-75
\-Center for the Minnesota Fighting Saints (WHA) 1975-76
\-Center for the Johnstown Jets (NAHL) 1975-76
\-Center for the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) 1976-83
\-Center for the Dallas Black Hawks (CHL) 1976-78
\-Center for the New Brunswick Hawks (AHL) 1978-81
\-Center for the Cincinnati Tigers (CHL) 1981-82
\-Center for the St. Catharines Saints (AHL) 1982-84
\-Center for Eishockey Deilinghofen Iserlohn (GBUN-1) 1984-85
\-Center for the Baltimore Skipjacks (AHL) 1984-85
\-Center for the Chicago Black Hawks (NHL) 1985-86
\-Center for the Nova Scotia Oilers (AHL) 1985-87
\-Center for the Springfield Indians (AHL) 1987-89
\-Center for the Newmarket Saints (AHL) 1989
\-Center for the Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL) 1989-90
\-Center for the Fort Wayne Komets (IHL) 1990-92
\-Center for the Adirondack Red Wings (AHL) 1992
\-Head Coach for the Muskegon Fury (IHL) 1993-94
\-Head Coach for the Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL) 1994-96
\-Head Coach for the Mississippi Sea Wolves (ECHL) 1996-99
\-Head Coach for the Lowell Lock Monsters (AHL) 19989-2001
\-Head Coach for the Manchester Monarchs (AHL) 2001-05
\-Head Coach for the Hershey Bears (AHL) 2005-07
\-Head Coach for the Washington Capitals (NHL) 2007-11
\-Head Coach for the Anaheim Ducks (NHL) 2012-16
\-Head Coach for the Minnesota Wild (NHL) 2016-20
\-Head Coach for the Vancouver Canucks (NHL) 2021-23
Awards and Honors:
\*1994 Commissioner’s Trophy Winner
\*1999 East Coast Hockey League Champion
\*2006 Calder Cup Champion
\*2008 Jack Adams Award Winner
# Scotty Bowman (age 90)
Hockey Experience:
\-Assistant Coach for the Ottawa-Hull Canadiens (QJHL) 1956
\-Head Coach for the Ottawa-Hull Canadiens (QJHL) 1957-68
\-Head Coach for the Peterborough Petes (OHA) 1958-1967
\-Head Coach for the St. Louis Blues (NHL) 1967-71
\-Head Coach for the Montreal Canadiens (NHL) 1971-79
\-Head Coach for Canada International Team 1976
\-Head Coach for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 1979-87
\-Head Coach for Canada International Team 1981
\-Director of Player Personnel for the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) 1990-91
\-Head Coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) 1991-93
\-Head Coach for the Detroit Red Wings (NHL) 1993-2002
\-Senior Advisor of Hockey Operations for the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) 2008-22
Awards and Honors:
\*1958 Memorial Cup Champion
\*13x Stanley Cup Champion (1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2013, 2015)
\*1976 Canada Cup Champion
\*Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 1991
\*2002 Wayne Gretzky International Award Winner
# Rod Brind’Amour (age 53)
Hockey Experience:
\-Center for the Notre Dame Hounds (SMHL) 1986-87
\-Center for the Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL) 1987-88
\-Center for the Michigan State University Spartans (NCAA-CCHA) 1988-89
\-Center for the St. Louis Blues (NHL) 1989-91
\-Center for the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) 1991-99
\-Center for the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) 2000-10
\-Center for the Kloten Flyers (NLA) 2004-05 (NHL Lockout)
\-Assistant Coach for the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) 2011-18
\-Head Coach for the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) 2018-Present
Honors and Awards:
\*1988 St. Louis Blues First Round Pick
\*1989 All-CCHA Rookie Team Center
\*1992 NHL All-Star
\*1994 World Championships Gold Medalist
\*1996 World Cup of Hockey Champion
\*2006 Stanley Cup Champion
\*2x Frank J. Selke Trophy Winner (2006, 2007)
\*2021 Jack Adams Award Winner
# Dan Bylsma (age 53)
Hockey Experience:
\-Right Wing for the Oakville Blades (CJHL) 1986-87
\-Right Wing for the St. Marys Lincolns (WOHL) 1986-8
\-Right Wing for the Bowling Green University Falcons (NCAA-CCHA) 1988-92
\-Right Wing for the Greensboro Monarchs (ECHL) 1992-94
\-Right Wing for the Rochester Americans (AHL) 1992-93
\-Right Wing for the Albany River Rats (AHL) 1993
\-Right Wing for the Moncton Hawks (AHL) 1993-94
\-Right Wing for the Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL) 1994-96
\-Right Wing for the Los Angeles Kings (NHL) 1995-2000
\-Right Wing for the Long Beach Ice Dogs (IHL) 1997-2000
\-Right Wing for the Springfield Falcons (AHL) 1998-99
\-Right Wing for the Lowell Lock Monsters (AHL) 1999-2000
\-Right Wing for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks (NHL) 2000-04
\-Right Wing for the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (AHL) 2003-04
\-Assistant Coach for the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (AHL) 2004-05
\-Assistant Coach for the New York Islanders (AHL) 2005-06
\-Head Coach for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Penguins (AHL) 2008-09
\-Head Coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) 2009-14
\-Head Coach for the United States National Team 2014
\-Head Coach for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 2015-17
\-Assistant Coach for the Detroit Red Wings (NHL) 2018-21
\-Assistant Coach for the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) 2021-22
\-Head Coach for the Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL) 2022-Present
Awards and Honors:
\*2009 Stanley Cup Champion
\*2011 Jack Adams Award Winner
# Dallas Eakins (age 57)
Hockey Experience:
\-Defenseman for the Peterborough Travelways (OMHA) 1983-84
\-Defenseman for the Peterborough Legionnaires (OMHA) 1984
\-Defenseman for the Peterborough Petes (OHL) 1984-88
\-Defenseman for the Baltimore Skipjacks (AHL) 1988-89
\-Defenseman for the Moncton Hawks (AHL) 1989-93
\-Defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets (NHL) 1992-93
\-Defenseman for the Florida Panthers (NHL) 1993-95
\-Defenseman for the Cincinnati Cyclones (IHL) 1993-95
\-Defenseman for the St. Louis Blues (NHL) 1995-96
\-Defenseman for the Worcester Ice Cats (AHL) 1995-96
\-Defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets (NHL) 1996
\-Defenseman for the Phoenix Coyotes (NHL) 1996-97
\-Defenseman for the Springfield Falcons (AHL) 1996-97
\-Defenseman for the New York Rangers (NHL) 1997
\-Defenseman for the Binghamton Rangers (AHL) 1997
\-Defenseman for the Florida Panthers (NHL) 1997-98
\-Defenseman for the New Haven Beast (AHL) 1997-98
\-Defenseman for the St. John’s Maple Leafs (AHL) 1998-99
\-Defenseman for the Chicago Wolves (IHL) 1998-2001
\-Defenseman for the New York Islanders (NHL) 1999-2000
\-Defenseman for the Calgary Flames (NHL) 2000-02
\-Defenseman for the Chicago Wolves (AHL) 2001-03
\-Defenseman for the Manitoba Moose (AHL) 2003-04
\-Assistant Coach for the Toronto Marlies (AHL) 2004-06
\-Assistant Coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) 2006-09
\-Head Coach for the Toronto Marlies (AHL) 2009-13
\-Head Coach for the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) 2013-15
\-Head Coach for the San Diego Gulls (AHL) 2015-19
\-Head Coach for the Anaheim Ducks (NHL) 2019-23
\-General Manager/Acting Head Coach for Adler Mannheim (DEL) 2023-Present
Awards and Honors:
\*First Floridian to record a point in the NHL
# Matt Ellis (age 42)
Hockey Experience:
\-Left Wing for the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors (OHL) 1998-2002
\-Left Wing for the Toledo Storm (ECHL) 2002-03
\-Left Wing for the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) 2003-07
\-Left Wing for the Detroit Red Wings (NHL) 2006-08
\-Left Wing for the Los Angeles Kings (NHL) 2008
\-Left Wing for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 2008-15
\-Left Wing for the Portland Pirates (AHL) 2008-09
\-Left Wing for the Rochester Americans (AHL) 2012-16
\-Assistant Coach for the Buffalo Sabres 2016-Present
Awards and Honors:
\*Youngest Captain in Grand Rapids Griffins history
# Dean Evason (age 59)
Hockey Experience:
\-Center for the Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCJHL) 1980-81
\-Center for the Spokane Chiefs (WHL) 1980-82
\-Center for the Kamloops Oilers (WHL) 1982-84
\-Center for the Washington Capitals (NHL) 1983-85
\-Center for the Hartford Whalers (NHL) 1984-91
\-Center for the Binghamton Whalers (AHL) 1984-86
\-Center for the San Jose Sharks (NHL) 1991-93
\-Center for the Calgary Flames (NHL) 1995-96
\-Center for Eislaufverein Zug (NLA) 1996-97
\-Center for Eislaufverein Landshut (DEL) 1997-99
\-Head Coach for the Kamloops Blazers (WHL) 1999-2002
\-Head Coach for the Vancouver Giants (WHL) 2002-04
\-Head Coach for the Calgary Hitmen (WHL) 2004-05
\-Assistant Coach for the Washington Capitals (NHL) 2005-12
\-Head Coach for the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) 2012-18
\-Assistant Coach for the Minnesota Wild (NHL) 2018-20
\-Head Coach for the Minnesota Wild (NHL) 2020-24
Awards and Honors:
\*1984 WHL West First All-Star Team Center
\*1997 World Championships Gold Medalist
# Gerard Gallant (age 60)
Hockey Experience:
\-Left Wing for the Summerside Crystals (MJHL) 1979-80
\-Left Wing for the Sherbrooke Castors (QMJHL) 1980-82
\-Left Wing for the St-Jean Castors (QMJHL) 1982-83
\-Left Wing for the Verdun Juniors (QMJHL) 1983
\-Left Wing for the Adirondack Red Wings (AHL) 1983-85
\-Left Wing for the Detroit Red Wings (NHL) 1984-93
\-Left Wing for the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) 1993-95
\-Left Wing for the Atlanta Knights (IHL) 1994-95
\-Head Coach for the Summerside Capitals (MJHL) 1995-97
\-Left Wing for the Detroit Vipers (IHL) 1996
\-Assistant Coach for the Fort Wayne Komets (IHL) 1998
\-Assistant Coach for the Louisville Panthers (AHL) 1999-2000
\-Assistant Coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) 2001-03
\-Head Coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) 2003-07
\-Assistant Coach for the Canada International Team 2007
\-Assistant Coach for the New York Islanders (NHL) 2007-09
\-Head Coach for the Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) 2009-12
\-Assistant Coach for the Montreal Canadiens (NHL) 2012-14
\-Head Coach for the Florida Panthers (NHL) 2014-17
\-Head Coach for the Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) 2017-20
\-Head Coach for the Canada International Team 2021
\-Head Coach for the New York Rangers (NHL) 2021-23
Honors and Awards:
\*4x QMJHL Champion (1982, 1983, 2011, 2012)
\*1983 QMJHL All-Star, Third Team Left Wing
\*1989 NHL All-Star, Second Team Left Wing
\*1989 World Championships Silver Medalist
\*1997 Royal Bank Cup Champion
\*2x World Championships Gold Medalist (2007, 2021)
\*2x Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award (2010, 2011)
\*2011 Memorial Cup Championship
\*2011 Ron Lapointe Trophy Winner
\*2x NHL All Star Game Head Coach (2016, 2018)
\*2018 Jack Adams Award Winner
\*2018 Scotty Bowman Award Winner
# Phil Housely (age 60)
Hockey Experience:
\-Defenseman for the South Saint Paul Secondary Packers (HS) 1980-82
\-Defenseman for the St. Paul Vulcans (USHL) 1980-81
\-Defenseman for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 1982-90
\-Defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets (NHL) 1990-93
\-Defenseman for the St. Louis Blues (NHL) 1993-94
\-Defenseman for Zürcher Schlittschuh Club (NDA) 1994 (NHL Lockout)
\-Defenseman for the Calgary Flames (NHL) 1994-96
\-Defenseman for the New Jersey Devils (NHL) 1996
\-Defenseman for the Washington Capital (NHL) 1996-98
\-Defenseman for the Calgary Flames (NHL) 1998-2001
\-Defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) 2001-03
\-Defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) 2003
\-Head Coach for the Stillwater Area High School Ponies (HS) 2004-13
\-Assistant Coach for the Nashville Predators (NHL) 2013-17
\-Head Coach for the United States U20 Team 2013
\-Assistant Coach for the United States International Team 2013
\-Head Coach for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 2017-19
\-Assistant Coach for the Arizona Coyotes (NHL) 2019-22
\-Assistant Coach for the New York Rangers (NHL) 2023-Present
Awards and Honors:
\*1983 NHL All-Rookie Team Defenseman
\*7x NHL All-Star (1984, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2000)
\*1992 NHL Second All-Star Team Defenseman
\*1996 World Cup of Hockey Champion
\*2002 Winter Olympics Silver Medalist
\*United States Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2004
\*International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame Class of 2012
\*2013 U20 World Championships Gold Medalist
\*2013 World Championships Bronze Medalist
\*Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2015
# Sheldon Keefe (age 43)
Hockey Experience:
\-Right Wing for the Toronto Nationals (Bantam) 1995-96
\-Right Wing for the Quinte Hawks (MJHL) 1996-97
\-Right Wing for the Bramalea Blues (OPJHL) 1996-97
\-Right Wing for the Caledon Canadiens (MJHL) 1997-98
\-Right Wing for the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors (OHL) 1998-99
\-Right Wing for the Barrie Colts (OHL) 1999-2000
\-Right Wing for the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) 2000-03
\-Right Wing for the Detroit Vipers (IHL) 2000-01
\-Right Wing for the Springfield Falcons (AHL) 2001-03
\-Right Wing for the Hershey Bears (AHL) 2003-04
\-Right Wing for the Utah Grizzlies (AHL) 2004-05
\-Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager for the Pembroke Lumber Kings (CCHL) 2005-06
\-Head Coach for the Pembroke Lumber Kings (CCHL) 2006-13
\-Head Coach for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) 2012-15
\-Head Coach for the Toronto Marlies (AHL) 2015-20
\-Head Coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) 2020-Present
Awards and Honors:
\*1999 OHL All-Rookie Team Right Wing
\*1999 OHL Rookie of the Year
\*2000 OHL Second All-Star Team Right Wing
\*2000 Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy Winner
\*2000 Canadian Major Junior First All-Star Team Right Wing
\*2000 Memorial Cup Tournament All-Star Team Right Wing
\*5x Central Canada Hockey League Champion (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
\*2018 Calder Cup Championship
# Ralph Krueger (age 64)
Hockey Experience:
\-Right Wing for the Assiniboine Park Monarchs (MJHL) 1976-77
\-Right Wing for Duisburger Sportclub (FRG-2) 1977-78
\-Right Wing for the New Westminster Bruins (WHL) 1978
\-Right Wing for the Calgary Wranglers (WHL) 1978-79
\-Right Wing for Düsseldorfer Eislauf Gemeinschaft (GBUN-1) 1979-82
\-Right Wing for Schwenninger Eishockey und Rollschuh Club (GBUN-1) 1982-84
\-Right Wing for Sportclub Risesserse (GBUN-1) 1984-85
\-Right Wing for Eishockey Deilinghofen Iserlohn (GBUN-1) 1985-86
\-Right Wing for Düsseldorfer Eislauf Gemeinschaft (GBUN-1) 1986-88
\-Right Wing for Krefelder Eingetragener Verein 1981 (FRG-2) 1988-89
\-Right Wing for Duisburger Sportclub (FRG-2) 1989-90
\-Right Wing for Eishockey Club Ratingen (FRG-2) 1991
\-Assistant Coach for Eingetragener Verein Duisburger (FRG-2) 1991-94
\-Head Coach for Vereinigung Europäischer Unternehmensberater Feldkirch (OEL) 1994-98
\-Head Coach for the Switzerland International Team 1998
\-Scouting Consultant for the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) 2002-10
\-Assistant Coach for the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) 2010-12
\-Head Coach for the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) 2012-13
\-Advisor for Canada International Team 2014
\-Chairman for Southampton Football Club (EFL) 2014-19 (not hockey experience, so why did the Sabres hire him when he was doing soccer???)
\-Head Coach for Team Europe 2016
\-Head Coach for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 2019-21
Awards and Honors:
\*5x O Eishockey Liga Champion (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
\*2006 Stanley Cup Champion
\*2014 Winter Olympics Gold Medalist
# Jay Leach (age 44)
Hockey Experience:
\-Defenseman for the Providence College Friars (NCAA-HE) 1997-2001
\-Defenseman for the Mississippi Sea Wolves (ECHL) 2001-02
\-Defenseman for the Augusta Lynx (ECHL) 2002-03
\-Defenseman for the Springfield Falcons (AHL) 2002-03
\-Defenseman for the Long Beach Ice Dogs (ECHL) 2003
\-Defenseman for the Providence Bruins (AHL) 2003
\-Defenseman for the Trenton Titans (ECHL) 2003-05
\-Defenseman for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) 2003-04
\-Defenseman for the Providence Bruins (AHL) 2004-07
\-Defenseman for the Boston Bruins (NHL) 2005-06
\-Defenseman for the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) 2007-08
\-Defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) 2007-08
\-Defenseman for the Portland Pirates (AHL) 2008
\-Defenseman for the Lowell Devils (AHL) 2008-10
\-Defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens (NHL) 2009-10
\-Defenseman for the San Jose Sharks (NHL) 2010
\-Defenseman for the Worcester Sharks (AHL) 2010-11
\-Defenseman for the Albany Devils (AHL) 2011-13
\-Defenseman for the New Jersey Devils (NHL) 2011
\-Assistant Coach for Adler Mannheim (DEL) 2014
\-Assistant Coach for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) 2015
\-Head Coach for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) 2015-16
\-Assistant Coach for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) 2016
\-Assistant Coach for the Providence Bruins (AHL) 2016-17
\-Head Coach for the Providence Bruins (AHL) 2017-21
\-Assistant Coach for the Seattle Kraken (NHL) 2021-Present
Awards and Honors:
\*2014 Deutsche Eishockey Liga Championship
# Todd McLellan (age 56)
Hockey Experience:
\-Center for the Saskatoon Blazers (SMHL) 1982-83
\-Center for the Saskatoon Blades (WHL) 1983-87
\-Center for the New York Islanders (NHL) 1987-88
\-Center for the Springfield Indians (AHL) 1987-89
\-Player-Coach for Utrecht (ED) 1990-92
\-Head Coach for the North Battleford North Stars (SJL) 1993-94
\-Head Coach and General Manager for the Swift Current Broncos (WHL) 1994-2000
\-Head Coach for the Cleveland Lumberjacks (IHL) 2000-01
\-Head Coach for the Houston Aeros (AHL) 2001-05
\-Assistant Coach for the Detroit Red Wings (NHL) 2005-08
\-Head Coach for the San Jose Sharks (NHL) 2008-15
\-Head Coach for the Canada International Team 2015
\-Head Coach for the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) 2015-19
\-Head Coach for the Los Angeles Kings (NHL) 2019-24
Awards and Honors:
\*1997 Western Hockey League Executive of the Year
\*2000 Western Hockey League Coach of the Year
\*2003 Calder Cup Champion
\*2008 Stanley Cup Champion
\*2015 World Championships Gold Medalist
# Ted Nolan (age 66)
Hockey Experience:
\-Left Wing for the Kenora Thistles (MJHL) 1975-76
\-Left Wing for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) 1976-78
\-Left Wing for the Kansas City Red Wings (CHL) 1978-79
\-Left Wing for the Adirondack Red Wings (AHL) 1980-84
\-Left Wing for the Detroit Red Wings (NHL) 1981-84
\-Left Wing for the Rochester Americans (AHL) 1984-85
\-Left Wing for the Baltimore Skipjacks (AHL) 1985-86
\-Left Wing for the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) 1985-86
\-Head Coach for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) 1989-94
\-Assistant Coach for the Hartford Whalers (NHL) 1994-95
\-Head Coach for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 1995-97
\-Head Coach for the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) 2005-06
\-Head Coach for the New York Islanders (NHL) 2006-08
\-Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Rochester Americans (AHL) 2009-11
\-Head Coach for the Latvia National Team 2011-14
\-Head Coach for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 2013-15
\-Head Coach for the Poland National Team 2017-18
Awards and Honors:
\*1991 Kiwanis Citizen of the Year
\*2x John Ross Robertson Cup Champion (1991, 1992)
\*1994 National Aboriginal Achievement Award Winner
\*1997 Jack Adams Award Winner
\*2006 President’s Cup Championship
# Steve Ott (age 41)
Hockey Experience:
\-Center for the Leamington Flyers (WOHL) 1998-99
\-Center for the Windsor Spitfires (OHL) 1999-2002
\-Center for the Utah Grizzlies (AHL) 2002-03
\-Center for the Dallas Stars (NHL) 2002-12
\-Center for the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) 2004-05 (NHL Lockout)
\-Center for the Iowa Stars (AHL) 2006-07
\-Center for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 2012-14
\-Center for the St. Louis Blues (NHL) 2014-16
\-Center for the Detroit Red Wings (NHL) 2016-17
\-Center for the Montreal Canadiens (NHL) 2017
\-Assistant Coach for the St. Louis Blues (NHL) 2017-Present
Awards and Honors:
\*2001 OHL Third All-Star Team Center
\*2001 CHL Second All-Star Team Center
\*2001 World Junior Championships Bronze Medalist
\*2002 OHL Second All-Star Team Center
\*2002 World Junior Championships Silver Medalist
\*2019 Stanley Cup Champion
# Michael Peca (age 50)
Hockey Experience:
\-Center for the Sudbury Wolves (OHL) 1990-92
\-Center for the Ottawa 67s (OHL) 1992-94
\-Center for the Hamilton Canucks (AHL) 1992-93
\-Center for the Vancouver Canucks (NHL) 1993-95
\-Center for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 1995-2000
\-Center for the New York Islanders (NHL) 2001-04
\-Center for the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) 2005-06
\-Center for the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) 2006-07
\-Center for the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) 2007-09
\-Head Coach for the Buffalo Sabres (OJHL) 2012-14
\-General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations for the Buffalo Sabres (OJHL) 2014-19
\-Player Development Coach for the Washington Capitals (NHL) 2021
\-Assistant Coach for the Rochester Americans (AHL) 2021-23
\-Assistant Coach for the New York Rangers (NHL) 2023-Present
Awards and Honors:
\*1994 World Junior Championships Gold Medalist
\*2x Frank Joseph Selke Trophy Winner (1997, 2002)
\*2002 Olympic Games Gold Medalist
\*2013 Ontario Junior Hockey League Coach of the Year
# Joel Quenneville (age 65)
Hockey Experience:
\-Defenseman for the Windsor Spitfires (OMJHL) 1975-78
\-Defenseman for the New Brunswick Hawks (AHL) 1978-79
\-Defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) 1978-80
\-Defenseman for the Colorado Rockies (NHL) 1980-82
\-Defenseman for the New Jersey Devils (NHL) 1982-83
\-Defenseman for the Hartford Whalers (NHL) 1983-90
\-Defenseman for the Baltimore Skipjacks (AHL) 1990-91
\-Defenseman for the Washington Capitals (NHL) 1990-91
\-Defenseman for the St. John’s Maple Leafs (AHL) 1991-92
\-Assistant Coach for the St. John’s Maple Leafs (AHL) 1992-93
\-Head Coach for the Springfield Indians (AHL) 1993-94
\-Assistant Coach for the Quebec Nordiques (NHL) 1994-95
\-Assistant Coach for the Colorado Avalanche (NHL) 1995-96
\-Assistant Coach for the St. Louis Blues (NHL) 1996-97
\-Head Coach for the St. Louis Blues (NHL) 1997-2004
\-Head Coach for the Colorado Avalanche (NHL) 2005-08
\-Head Coach for the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) 2008-18
\-Head Coach for the Florida Panthers (NHL) 2019-21
\-Blacklisted from the NHL since 2021
Awards and Honors:
\*4x Stanley Cup Champion (1996, 2010, 2013, 2015)
\*2000 Jack Adams Award Winner
\*Employed a Sexual Predator
# Ron Rolston (age 57)
Hockey Experience:
\-Left Wing for the St. Clair Shores Falcons (NAHL) 1984-86
\-Left Wing for the Michigan Tech Huskies (NCAA-WCHA) 1986-89
\-Left Wing for the Winston-Salem Thunderbirds (ECHL) 1989-90
\-Assistant Coach for the Lake Superior State University Lakers (NCAA-CCHA) 1990-95
\-Assistant Coach for the Clarkson University Golden Knights (NCAA-CCHA) 1996-99
\-Assistant Coach for the Harvard University Crimson (NCAA-ECAC) 1999-2002
\-Assistant Coach for the Boston College Eagles (NCAA-HE) 2002-04
\-Head Coach for the United States U18 Team 2004-11
\-Head Coach for the Rochester Americans (AHL) 2011-13
\-Head Coach for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 2013
\-Scout for the Arizona Coyotes (NHL) 2014-15
\-Head Coach for the Springfield Falcons (AHL) 2015-16
\-Assistant Coach for the Providence Friars (NCAA-HE) 2017-Present
Awards and Honors:
\*2x National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships (1992, 1994)
\*3x U18 World Championships Gold Medalist (2005, 2009, 2011)
\*2007 U18 World Championships Silver Medalist
\*2011 Bob Johnson Award Winner
# Lindy Ruff (age 64)
Hockey Experience:
\-Defenseman for the Taber Golden Suns (AJHL) 1976-77
\-Defenseman for the Lethbridge Broncos (WCHL) 1976-78
\-Defenseman for the Lethbridge Broncos (WHL) 1978-79
\-Defenseman for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 1979-89
\-Left Wing for the New York Rangers (NHL) 1989-91
\-Left Wing for the Rochester Americans (AHL) 1991-92
\-Left Wing for the San Diego Gulls (IHL) 1992-93
\-Assistant Coach for the Florida Panthers (NHL) 1993-97
\-Head Coach for the **Buffalo Sabres** (NHL) 1997-2013
\-Assistant Coach for the Canada International Team 2010
\-Head Coach for the Dallas Stars (NHL) 2013-17
\-Assistant Coach for the Canada International Team 2014
\-Assistant Coach for the New York Rangers (NHL) 2017-20
\-Head Coach for the New Jersey Devils (NHL) 2020-24
Awards and Honors:
\*2006 Jack Adams Award Winner
\*2x Winter Olympics Gold Medalist (2010, 2014)
# Mike Sullivan (age 56)
Hockey Experience:
\-Center for the Boston College High School Eagles (HS) 1985-86
\-Center for the Boston University Terriers (NCAA-HE) 1986-90
\-Center for the San Diego Gulls (IHL) 1990-91
\-Center for the San Jose Sharks (NHL) 1991-94
\-Center for the Kansas City Blades (IHL) 1991-94
\-Center for the Saint John Flames (AHL) 1994
\-Center for the Calgary Flames (NHL) 1994-97
\-Center for the Boston Bruins (NHL) 1997-98
\-Center for the Phoenix Coyotes (NHL) 1998-2002
\-Head Coach for the Providence Bruins (AHL) 2002-03
\-Head Coach for the Boston Bruins (NHL) 2003-06
\-Assistant Coach for the United States National Team 2006
\-Assistant Coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) 2007-09
\-Assistant Coach for the New York Islanders (NHL) 2009-13
\-Assistant Coach for the Vancouver Canucks (NHL) 2013-14
\-Player Development Coach for the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) 2014-15
\-Head Coach for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) 2015-16
\-Head Coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) 2016-Present
Awards and Honors:
\*2x Stanley Cup Champion (2016, 2017)
# Jay Woodcroft (age 47)
Hockey Experience:
\-Center for the Aurora Eagles (MJHL) 1993-94
\-Center for the Markham Waxers (MJHL) 1994-96
\-Center for the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers (NCAA-CHA) 1996-2000
\-Center for the Jackson Bandits (ECHL) 1999-2000
\-Center for the Missouri River Otters (UHL) 2000-01
\-Center for the Flint Generals (UHL) 2001-03
\-Center for the Anchorage Aces (WCHL) 2001-02
\-Center for the Corpus Christi Rayz (CHL) 2003-04
\-Center for the Stuttgart Wizards (GOL) 2004-05
\-Video Coach for the Detroit Red Wings (NHL) 2005-08
\-Assistant Coach for the San Jose Sharks (NHL) 2008-15
\-Assistant Coach for the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) 2015-18
\-Head Coach for the Bakersfield Condors (AHL) 2018-22
\-Head Coach for the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) 2022-24
Honors and Awards:
\*2008 Stanley Cup Champion
# Mike Yeo (age 50)
Hockey Experience:
\-Left Wing for the Sudbury Wolves (OHL) 1990-94
\-Left Wing for the Houston Aeros (IHL) 1994-99
\-Left Wing for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) 1999-2000
\-Assistant Coach for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) 2000-05
\-Assistant Coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) 2005-10
\-Head Coach for the Houston Aeros (AHL) 2010-11
\-Head Coach for the Minnesota Wild (NHL) 2011-16
\-Assistant Coach for the St. Louis Blues (NHL) 2016-17
\-Head Coach for the St. Louis Blues (NHL) 2017-19
\-Assistant Coach for the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) 2019-22
\-Head Coach for the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) 2022
\-Assistant Coach for the Vancouver Canucks (NHL) 2022-Present
Awards and Honors:
\*1999 Turner Cup Champion
\*2009 Stanley Cup Champion
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10 Comments
So many of these aren’t happening. Like 0% chance. Otherwise nice work assembling this all in one place.
Awesome summary. Thanks for putting this together.
Good job putting the list together. Agreed there’s a number there that have no chance, but it does give you references to what’s out there and credentials.
Looking forward to see what they do.
Props for putting it together, but seeing Matt Ellis listed made me throw up in my mouth
You chose violence when you included HTRK.
Why did you include the former Buffalo Coaches?
None of them are coming back and no one should want them.
But out of the list, Sullivan and Gallant would be the two I’d want that are realistic.
I don’t expect Brindy to be fired yet.
I love that you tossed in the tidbit of “hired a sexual predator” into the accolades of Quenneville lmao
Nice work putting this together!
After reading through it I think Mike Sullivan is the best choice, imo.
Edit: Mike Yeo looks like an interesting prospect as well
You’ve spent a lot of time of this list and that’s impressive in and of itself. Perhaps a non-sabres approach might be considered. For example, if one narrows done the search to only assistant coaches on the 16 playoff teams that had prior stints behind the bench? How many former coaches is that and what are their backgrounds? That might surface a few names one might not expect like how Yeo had been recently thrown in the rumor mill. Regardless of what happens I respect Adams and this would be his first true coaching search. The next two months are going to be fun.
Berube or bust.