Nolan Returns to the Sabres

Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula announced last Wednesday that Ted Nolan has been hired as the team's interim head coach. Nolan re-joins the Sabres after coaching the team to a 73-72-19 record in the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons, a stint during which he became the franchise's first Jack Adams Award winner following a first-place Northeast Division finish in 1996-97. Nolan later spent two seasons as head coach of the New York Islanders, guiding the Islanders to a 74-68-21 record during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.

Nolan began his NHL coaching career as an assistant coach for the Hartford Whalers in 1994-95 after building a successful resume in junior hockey that culminated with a Memorial Cup win in 1993-94 in his sixth and final season as head coach of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL). Prior to his coaching career, Nolan tallied 22 points (6+16) in 78 NHL games as a member of the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pegula also announced that Pat LaFontaine has been hired to serve as President of Hockey Operations for the team and that Darcy Regier and Ron Rolston have been relieved of their respective duties.