Lapinski: Tippett is a top-five coach in the right situation

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Photo credit Photo: Mark J. Rebilas - USA TODAY Sports

It's been nearly a month since Phil Housley was relieved of his duties as the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres.

Various names have been added and subtracted from the coaching mix since April 7. The latest names that have been rumored to be top candidates include Swedish men's national ice hockey coach Rikard Grönborg, long-time NHL head coach Jacques Martin, Toronto Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe in the American Hockey League, and more recently Dave Tippett; former head coach of the Arizona Coyotes. 

Tippett and the Coyotes mutually agreed to part ways in June of 2017, and he currently serves as a senior advisor to the Seattle NHL team ownership group. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman confirmed on Tuesday that Buffalo has interviewed Tippett for the team's head coaching vacancy.

Coyotes radio host Luke Lapinski took some time on Wednesday to join Mike Schopp and the Bulldog to talk about Tippett during his tenure with the Coyotes.

Here is some of what he had to say:

 

Lapinski on Tippett's abilities:

"He is so good at being adaptable and getting the most out of his players. I respect him as one of the better coaches in the league."

 

Lapinski on Tippett not currently being employed as a head coach:

"I wouldn't read into the fact that he's not currently coaching. When you stack up all the coaches in the National Hockey League, I think he's top-10 material, if not top-five in the right situation."

 

Lapinski on Arizona's strategies with Tippett at the helm:

"Under Tippett, the Coyotes tried to win with goaltending and defense. [Former Coyotes forward] Max Domi is an example of Tippett getting his young players to be good at both ends of the ice. With that being said, the Coyotes have never had a Jack Eichel-type talent."

 

You can listen to the entire interview below: