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
