Buffalo Sabres Front Office Is A Philosophical Minefield
It’s common knowledge; if your team’s front office cannot get on the same page someone needs to be fired. The Buffalo Sabres front office has become a philosophical minefield. Ted Nolan and Tim Murray are not exactly on the same side these days. I liken it to a political battle. The two sides are looking for a common outcome but their approach is completely different. Murray seems to want a full-out effortless few weeks and Nolan is standing by his principles. He was brought back to Buffalo to coach, or at least that’s what he thinks.
Buffalo is limping into the trade deadline just hoping to save what’s left of their dignity, and Nolan is fighting alongside his players. The problem is the Sabres are competing, and not looking like they are willing to just skate through the motions. That should really come as a surprise to anyone. The
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players are paid to play the game and the coach is supposed to be paid to coach the game. When management gets involved the lines get blurred.
There has not been a confirmed report of Murray asking Nolan to play dead, but the speculation is mounting and there have rumors that this will likely be Nolan’s last season behind a Sabres bench. It seems like the Buffalo Sabres front office is as torn as the fan base.
It’s a simple play to win or play dead question, and it has become clear that the people in charge are no longer on the same page. As the trade deadline looms look for Murray to use his power and trade away anyone who is contributing right now. After all it’s the only way within the rules that the Sabres can win by losing.
While there is a fundamental difference present within the franchise you can’t argue that both Nolan and Murray want what’s best for the team. But, you can argue that the two “leaders” are not willing to work towards that common goal in the same manner. The next month or so could expose issue with the NHL and how the draft is set up.
If Buffalo lands a top two pick in the upcoming NHL Draft then all the “tanking” and putting together an AHL roster for the season will have paid off. While that is great for the Sabres it may not be good for the league.
Buffalo makes the league money. Even while they sit in last place they are in the middle of the league for attendance, and their TV ratings are often towards the top in the league. The issue here is it seems like the Sabres have found a loophole in the rules. They have found a way to be historically bad even while their players attempt to put forth an effort.
That’s really the issue here. The Buffalo Sabres front office is stuck, and no matter how things turn out both sides lose a little. Murray becomes the GM that ran the tank, and Nolan becomes the coach that coached a historical bad team. Both men are in the same boat but they just do see it yet.
Sadly it’s Nolan’s camp that will ultimately be concurred. There is no coming back from this, and while he may have been a fan favorite he has become the scapegoat. Win or lose Murray can’t keep the coach he brought in to keep fans quiet.