Dan Bylsma Wants to Coach Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have received permission to speak with former Pittsburgh Penguins head coach, Dan Bylsma. Elliotte Friedman reports that Bylsma wants the Buffalo coaching position:

Bylsma and Buffalo is going to be an interesting one. I think that’s the job he wants, from what I’ve been told. 

He coached Eichel at the worlds. Todd Richards was the head coach and Bylsma was the assistant on the American team. I think that’s going to be one of his big selling points. “I coached Eichel. I coached Crosby.” Getting the most out of star players, stuff like that. I believe that’s going to be his sell job to the Sabres.

And the other thing too is Tim Murray, one of the guys he’s tightest with is Chuck Fletcher of Minnesota, who was the assistant GM in Pittsburgh when they had Bylsma and won the Stanley Cup. So I have a feeling if Fletcher gives Bylsma any kind of good recommendation to Tim Murray, that’s going to help Bylsma’s situation there.

The Sabres lost the Mike Babcock sweepstakes and are looking to sign an experienced coach with a winning record. Bylsma comes from a winning pedigree with the Penguins, having a record of 252-117-32 in 401 regular season games with the franchise before his dismissal in June 2014. He won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2008-09.