Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – Don Granato confirmed in his Wednesday end-of-season conference call that he wants to be back to coach the Buffalo Sabres. However, he knows general manager Kevyn Adams is going to go through a process.
Make no mistake, Adams is very impressed with Granato and his staff with Matt Ellis, Dan Girardi and Mike Bales.
“I think 'Donnie' and the coaching staff did a tremendous job under very challenging circumstances," Adams said during his end-of-season conference call on Wednesday. "The conversations we had before the decision was made I asked him some tough questions and he delivered on that.”
Adams felt there was “crystal clear” communication with players on expectations.
"Kevyn discussed the process as I took the position, and that process is still going," Granato said on Wednesday. "We spoke daily multiple times, so I was very comfortable with the process when I took the position and very comfortable with the process where it stands right now.”
Granato said he coached all year like he would be here next season.
The interim head coach said he was anxious to get through the exit interviews with players, so he hasn’t asked Adams for a timetable on a decision.
As the season went on, the Sabres got better, and other coaches started to take them more seriously.
“We gradually earned more respect through our opponents," Granato said. "We saw better results and data, and you saw especially with the younger guys they have a vision and an energy and a passion to move forward. They’re excited, but that excitement is not to be confused with satisfaction. They are not satisfied. Nobody is here is satisfied.”
Granato said he is not concerned at all by Jack Eichel’s comments on Monday.
"These guys want to play hockey, and this is a guy that couldn’t play hockey," he said of his captain. "When he can put the skates on again, that life and energy will be right there. There’s no doubt in my mind about it. I’ve seen it so many times, and I have complete confidence in it.”
Dylan Cozens had a pretty good rookie season until he hit a wall in his final eight games. Granato said Cozens wanted all situations thrown at him, and tested him, as a coach.
“I played Dylan against Sidney Crosby for one game, and he wouldn’t get that ice-time or responsibility the next game and he was upset. He was not happy with it," he said. "Behind the scenes, we were challenging these guys very, very much because we need them to be better.”
Granato is smart enough to know that Eichel, Sam Reinhart and others may be gone next year, but he’ll be ready.
“I’m prepared for anything. You just have to be ready. You just have to adjust you have to find a way to win,” Granato said.
So don’t expect a quick decision when it comes to who is going to coach the Sabres next season. The one thing I do know is this time, Eichel will have no input into the decision.
In case you missed any of Granato's end-of-season conference call, you can listen to it in its entirety below:
