Who should be the next Sabres GM and head coach?

The Sabres just fired Tim Murray and Dan Bylsma this morning, but it’s never too early to start arguing over who should replace them. Here are some of the names that have been brought up in this early spot in the process.

General Manager Options

Dean Lombardi - The architect of the Los Angeles Kings championship teams, Lombardi was the LA GM from 2006 until the end of this season. He was ousted along with Darryl Sutter after the Kings missed the playoffs.

Chris Drury - The former Sabre has worked his way up the latter in New York. He joined the Rangers organization in 2015 as the director of player development, then was promoted to assistant general manager in 2016.

Rick Dudley - Another former Sabre! Dudley is currently Montreal’s senior vice president of hockey operations. He’s previously served as the general manager of Atlanta, Florida, Tampa and Ottawa. He also served as the Blackhawks’ assistant general manager and was a part of the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in its recent run.

Jason Botterill - Currently the associate general manager of the Penguins, Botterill’s name was brought up quite frequently before the Sabres opted for Murray. He spent parts of two seasons as a player with the Sabres, playing 36 games.

Brad Treliving - The Flames general manager’s contract is up, and Elliotte Friedman reported his future with the franchise is uncertain. The Flames have made the playoffs twice since he took over in April 2014.

Julien BriseBois - Pierre LeBrun mentioned BriseBois as a name the Sabres should definitely look at. He’s the general manager of the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL and assistant general manager of Tampa Bay. Since taking over the Crunch the team has made it to two Calder Cups, winning once.

Tom Fitzgerald - He’s been New Jersey’s assistant general manager since 2015 after moving from the same position in Pittsburgh. The Sabres drafted his son, Casey, last year.

Head Coaching Options

Lindy Ruff - Buffalo loves its nostalgia, and no one would bring more than good old Lindy. Do you need me to give you his biography? Ruff was the Sabres head coach from 1997 to 2013, leading the team to a 571-432-78-84 record. After being fired by Buffalo Ruff took over bench duties for the Dallas Stars, where he’s been the past four years. He was relieved of his duties at the end of the season.

David Quinn - If Jack Eichel is really running the show, Quinn is your guy. He’s been Boston University’s coach since 2013, leading the Terriers to three NCAA Tournament appearances. BU went to the championship game in Eichel’s freshman year, but fell to Providence. He’s also spent time as an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche and the head coach of the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL.

Darryl Sutter - An 18-year head coach, Sutter is arguably the biggest name on the market. He led the Los Angeles Kings to two Stanley Cups in his six seasons with the club, and has also coached the Sharks, Flames and Blackhawks. He was fired after the regular season when the Kings missed the playoffs for the second time in three years.

Sheldon Keefe - It seems every year there’s a hot shot guy from the AHL, and this year Keefe is that man. He’s currently the head coach of the Toronto Marlies, winning 96 games over the last two seasons. He was the head coach of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL for two seasons prior to his time in Toronto.

Phil Housley - Housley was brought up when the Sabres were looking for a coach two years ago as well. A former player with Buffalo, Housley has served as an assistant coach in Nashville for the past four seasons. He also has experience coaching the U.S. at the World Juniors and as an assistant at the World Cup of Hockey.

Jack Capuano - The New York Islanders fired Capuano midway through this season after starting 17-17-8. He made the playoffs three times in his six full seasons as the Islanders coach and was reportedly a finalist for the head job with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Kevyn Adams - John Vogl of The Buffalo News brought up Adams in his look at coaching options. Adams was an assistant under Ruff from 2011 until 2013, when he was relieved from his duties following Ruff’s firing. He’s still in the organization as part of the Academy of Hockey, and Vogl said he is well liked.

Anyone not mentioned you think the Sabres should look at? Let us know!