Buffalo Sabres: Top 5 Head Coaches of all Time
By Paul Taylor
5) Ted Nolan
Regular season: 113-159
Playoffs: 5-7
Some of you may be wondering why someone with a losing record as a head coach, has somehow sneaked onto this list. In that respect, it’s worth admitting I repeatedly went back-and-forth between Nolan and Rick Dudley for the number five spot.
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Certainly, you could argue that Dudley should be on this list, with more winning campaigns and playoff appearances in fewer seasons. In addition, Nolan’s bad relationship with a certain Dominik Hasek is worth noting. (In truth, I’m once again doubting my choice as I write this.)
However, the 58-year old deserves recognition for what he did achieve, managing to take a team described as blue-collar and with just one true star (ironically Hasek) to the playoffs in 1997, during his first tenure. The team advanced to the Conference Semi-Finals and he took home the Jack Adams award.
Nolan also gets credit for coming back on board in 2013, doing his best to keep the Sabres competitive despite years of poor drafting and the front office’s attempts to “earn” the number one overall draft pick. Overall, when taking everything into account, he deserves his place in the top five. Barely.
Next: A short but successful tenure