In a surprising move, the Buffalo Sabres have announced the firing of head coach Don Granato, one day after the team ended their league-record 13th consecutive season without a playoff appearance. Granato, who took over as interim coach at the end of the 2020-21 season and then served as the team's head coach for the last three seasons, was unable to guide the Sabres to postseason success.

Under Granato's leadership, the Sabres made incremental improvements, with point totals of 75, 91, and 84 over the past three seasons. However, these results fell short of the team's expectations and the urgency for change grew. Buffalo's general manager, Kevyn Adams, acknowledged Granato's contributions and instrumental role in player development but believed a different direction was necessary at this point.

The dismissal of Granato was not the only change within the coaching staff. Assistant coach Jason Christie and video coordinator Matt Smith were also let go, leaving goalie coach Mike Bales and assistants Matt Ellis and Marty Wilford unsure of their futures with the team. The Sabres are now on the hunt for their eighth head coach under the ownership of Terry Pegula.

Despite showing early signs of improvement during Granato's tenure, the Sabres failed to make the expected leap into the playoffs this season. Lingering issues plagued the team, including a struggling power play that finished 28th in the league and a defense that allowed an alarming number of first-period goals. Additionally, Buffalo struggled with consistency throughout the season, never managing to put together a winning streak longer than three games.

The team's inability to handle pressure and make necessary adjustments ultimately sealed Granato's fate. Despite signing a two-year contract extension prior to the 2022-23 season, Pegula will now pay Granato nearly $4 million to not coach the team next season.

Granato leaves the Sabres as the longest-tenured coach since the departure of Lindy Ruff in 2013. He guided the team through 274 games and held the best points percentage (.495) of any Buffalo coach since Ruff's exit. Nevertheless, the focus now shifts towards finding a new head coach who can steer the Sabres back to being a consistent playoff contender.

As Buffalo looks towards the upcoming season, the pressure mounts for the organization to bring an end to their 13-season playoff drought. The search for a new coach begins, with hopes that the next leader will foster the stability and success that has eluded the franchise for far too long.