This morning the Buffalo Sabres have undertaken a thorough housecleaning, firing GM Darcy Regier and head coach Ron Rolston amid a disastrous 4-15-1 start for the team. Former legendary center Pat LaFontaine has been installed as the new head of Hockey Operations, and while he goes through the process of hiring a new general manager, former Sabres head coach Ted Nolan has been brought back to run the bench, albeit with the “interim” tag attached. Strange days, indeed.
Nolan had some tremendous success with the Sabres back in the day, leading them to a division title in 1997, but has been out of the league since 2008 after being fired by the Islanders.
Paul Fenton A GM Candidate?
Nashville Predators assistant general manager Paul Fenton has long been talked about as having the potential to run his own team, particularly given his work in the field of drafting and development, which has typically been Nashville’s strength as an organization. Fenton has long been responsible for running the team’s draft operation, and he also serves as GM of the team’s AHL affiliate the Milwaukee Admirals.
The first phone call Pat Lafontaine should make is to Paul Fenton in Nashville. Unless one of his pals Don Meehan or Pat Morris, want GM job
— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) November 13, 2013
With Pat LaFontaine not assuming the Buffalo GM position, Paul Fenton is likely sharpening up his resume.
— Jim Diamond (@diamondhockey) November 13, 2013
My personal shortlist if I were hiring a general manager would be something like Botterill, BriseBois, Fenton, Gilman, Will.
— Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) November 13, 2013
A recent FanPost by radu47 debated the question of whether Fenton should be the guy to succeed David Poile whenever change does come at the top of the Predators organization, but who knows, they may not even have that option if Buffalo hires him away first…
More from On the Forecheck:
- Nashville Predators Trade Rumors: Could Jonas Hiller Save the Preds?
- New York Islanders 3, Nashville Predators 1: Hey, At Least They Weren’t Shut Out
- Which Team is Screwed Most? The Titans Without Jake Locker, or the Predators Without Pekka Rinne?
- Milwaukee Admirals Notebook: Filip Forsberg solid in 3-game weekend despite losing streak
- Pekka Rinne Injury: Team Provides Update on Infection Recovery/