Portland needs a coach
The Sabres need a new minor-league coach, as Randy Cunneyworth has been hired as an assistant with the Atlanta Thrashers. It was time for Cunneyworth's call-up, since he was Rochester's longest-tenured leader with eight seasons behind the bench.
The impact cannot be underestimated. Cunneyworth was trusted 100 percent to groom the Sabres' prospects and decide which one should be called up. The Sabres need to find someone who can build that same relationship with Lindy Ruff.
The easy choice without searching is Brian McCutcheon, who coached the Amerks for three years before Cunneyworth was hired. But it's unlikely he would go from associate coach in the NHL to head coach (again) in the AHL.
Portland's coach last year was Kevin Dineen, the former Hartford Whaler, and he was well-liked by the Pirates organization. He was interviewed by the Los Angeles Kings for their top job but was not hired.
I know Teppo Numminen can still play at an NHL level, but it would be interesting to see if he'd want to be a player-coach in the AHL like Cunneyworth was in his final season of playing. Teppo would be a good coach, I believe.
***UPDATE, 1:20 p.m.***
Just talked with General Manager Darcy Regier, and McCutcheon will not be going to Portland. It also won't be a player-coach. Regier plans to hire someone from outside the organization in about two weeks. No names were given.
---John Vogl
Anthony: There were two articles in the paper about Darche. Pretty minor signing, prolly for depth in Portland more than anything else.
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabresnhl/story/398660.html
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabresnhl/story/399595.html
Posted by: Mike Harrington | July 27, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Not a big signing and not all that newsworthy, Anthony. Pretty sure this guy is starting the season in Portland to give the younger guys a veteran presence. He's a good AHL person, but has never really made much noise in the NHL. I doubt Buffalo has big plans for him.
Posted by: Chad | July 26, 2008 at 03:59 PM
OK, DID ANYONE NOTICE WE SIGNED A LEFT WINGER???
NO PAPER ARTICLES
NO BLOGGERS
WTF?
Posted by: Anthony | July 26, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Look for Kevin Dineen to be hired by the Sabres. He's not under contract by Anaheim and has expressed interest in staying with Portland. I also suspect Eric Weinrich will be an assistant.
Posted by: C Roy | July 25, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Congrats to Randy -- I don't feel he got the credit he deserved for the job he did working with the young players in Rochester. The Sabres were successful the past few years due to Randy's work in getting them ready to help out when they were called up as well as when they earned a regular spot with the Sabres.
Posted by: jan | July 25, 2008 at 03:31 PM
John, What inspired you to throw Teppo name in the mix. Has he expressed interest in being a coach ? It's been pretty clear in his statements he still thinks he can play. The conversation about the need for a coach at the AHL is worth having, but to just through out Teppo name out there because Randy did it makes vewry little sense.
I wish they would of tried harder to apease Randy since he has been a great teacher for alot of players on this Sabres roster. I will be hard to replace.
How about James Patrick since we are just throwing names out there.
Posted by: kriszaP | July 25, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Nice to see Randy getting his shot. He will be missed. Great coach, great guy.
Posted by: Tom | July 25, 2008 at 01:56 PM
I would prefer to have Teppo in Buffalo as a mentor to Sekera and Weber.
Posted by: Tony | July 25, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Great point John. Go ahead and make him the highest-paid player/coach in the AHL. With a decent assistant in Portland, if you had to call Teppo up to the Sabres to play, you know he'd be in shape!
Posted by: bob | July 25, 2008 at 01:13 PM