Having met informally with GM Tim Murray on Wednesday and with Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula and upper management on Thursday, Dan Bylsma appears to have an agreement in place to become the team's coach.
Bylsma, who took the Pittsburgh Penguins to the 2009 Stanley Cup championship, was seen as the most qualified candidate for the job.
Official announcement of an agreement was not immediately available. The Associated Press and other media sources reported a deal had been struck.
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An opportunity to coach likely No. 2 overall draft pick Jack Eichel is a major selling point. That's especially true given Bylsma's long history with USA Hockey, which Eichel has been a part of for years. Bylsma was Team USA's coach at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, ending in fourth place.
Buffalo had not scheduled an interview with any other candidate since missing on Mike Babcock, according to The Buffalo News. AHL Binghamton coach Luke Richardson, long mentioned in the Sabres' search because of his ties to Murray, reportedly had not received a request to be interviewed by any team as of Monday. Binghamton is the top affiliate of the Ottawa Senators.
Because Bylsma is under contract with the Penguins, interested teams were required to receive permission from Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford before scheduling an interview. The Sabres were the first to be granted an opportunity to speak with Bylsma. The San Jose Sharks also requested permission but reportedly hired former New Jersey Devils coach Peter DeBoer on Wednesday before an interview with Bylsma took place.
Despite being fired a year ago Bylsma remains under contract to the Pens through June 2016. Under NHL rules, a team that hires a coach under contract must compensate the coach's team. The applicable rule, in place since 2014, sets the compensation as a third-round pick if the hiring is made in the offseason or a second-round pick if the hiring comes during the season. Thus, the Sabres owe the Pens a third-round pick — unless the Penguins waive compensation.
It is believed the teams were discussing in which draft the pick would fall. Most likely it would be 2016.
The NHL had a rule in place for years that mandated compensation for coaches and executives. It was dropped in 2006 and reinstated a year ago.
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The Devils had been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Bylsma, Their new GM, Ray Shero, worked with Bylsma in Pittsburgh.
According to the AP, the Byslma agreement awaited clarification on the Sabres' compensation to the Penguins.
Murray fired coach Ted Nolan in April after his team completed its mission of finishing with the NHL's worst record for the second consecutive season. Given the dearth of talent on hand, Nolan was handed a time bomb when he took the job. He finished 40-87-17.
The Sabres coveted expected No. 1 overall pick Connor McDavid, and their miserable record gave them the best odds of winning the NHL Draft lotter and a chance to select a player observers considered the best prospect since Sidney Crosby. Instead, the Edmonton Oilers won the lottery.
Fallout? Bylsma brings credibilityto the franchise, WBKW-TV's Shawn Stepner wrote. Sports Illustrated laid out reasons why the Sabres should hire Bylsma. A news conference to introduce Bylsma was expected Thursday afternoon. Pittsburgh's KDKA-TV noted the hiring and reminded that Bylsma's downfall with the Penguins was five consecutive disappointing playoff exits.