The new era of Buffalo Sabres hockey is underway. They finally named a captain in Kyle Okposo, and the team finished last year on a stronger note. General Manager Kevyn Adams has done an excellent job of righting the ship, and the coaching has been great. The Buffalo Sabres have signed head coach Don Granato to a multi-year extension to remain with the club. The deal doesn’t actually kick in until the 2024-25 season.
Don Granato had two years left on his current deal, this year and next. His new two-year extension (believed to be worth just under $2M per season) kicks in for the 2024-25 season. So in total, he’s signed for three more years after this season.@TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 12, 2022
Don Granato Staying In Buffalo
🍝 Donny G! 🍝
We have signed Head Coach Don Granato to a multi-year extension: https://t.co/18zYpvtB62 pic.twitter.com/hVCWsdpptT
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 12, 2022
Granato is entering his second full season behind the Sabres bench. He started as an assistant coach before being promoted to head coach in March 2020. This a great move by the Sabres, and Granato has garnered high praise from Adams. Adams went on to say, “Don’s passion for the game and leadership skills have been on display since the moment we met,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said. “He is someone the players have a tremendous amount of respect for, and he dedicates himself to bettering each individual on the team.” This is an excellent move for the Sabres and the players.
⭐️ Head Coach Don Granato. ⭐️
The culmination of a decorated coaching career that has spanned three decades and various levels of hockey.
Read about it: https://t.co/iSYKC98IRm pic.twitter.com/fdUFp1qUEu
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 29, 2021
The Impact On The Players
Head Coach Don Granato is here to stay. Players went on to credit the improvement under him. He just let them play the game and not worry about making mistakes and messing up. One player went on to say, “He makes sure that you are confident,” Rasmus Dahlin said last May. “He pushes you. He wants every single guy to succeed in there. You really feel that he has your back.”
The Sabres are looking to build off of a strong finish, and extending the head coach is a great way to enter the season.