The Buffalo Sabres search for a new head coach is in full swing. So much so that we have a report that the club may be close to naming their next coach.
A report from Eric Duhatschek of The Athletic indicated that the Sabres are closing in on former San Jose Sharks and Edmonton Oilers head coach Todd McLellan.
I’m hearing that Todd McLellan is closing in on an agreement to replace Phil Housley as the next coach of the Buffalo Sabres and that an announcement could come as early as tomorrow.
— Eric Duhatschek (@eduhatschek) April 8, 2019
Since then Bob McKenzie of TSN has thrown a little water on the report stating that no deal appears to be imminent, but that McLellan will be in town this week watch his son play in the Frozen Four. He’ll speak with Sabres brass at that time.
What started as a family trip will now be a family/business trip, with McLellan expected to meet with BUF hierarchy. If all goes well, he certainly could be next HC in BUF tho my understanding is, at this moment, nothing is 100 per cent firm yet, vis a vis McLellan and BUF/LA.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) April 8, 2019
McLellan clearly appears to be one of the top candidates for the job in Buffalo, as well as, the Los Angeles Kings. Reports yesterday indicated that he was getting close to being hired for that vacancy.
The 51-year-old was the head coach of the San Jose Sharks for seven seasons. He went 311-163-66 as the Sharks coach, winning three division titles along the way. He made the playoffs six of his seven seasons in San Jose.
After he was let go from that job he went behind the bench with the Edmonton Oilers and had less successful four-season stint. He went 123-119-24 during his time with the Oilers and made the playoffs only once. He was fired earlier this season after another poor start.