Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

[OpIv37]

I was listening to NHL radio in my car today- it's off-season and they're really bored, so they were discussing coaches that might not make it through the season.

One of the hosts mentioned Buffalo, mainly because Murray came after Nolan and may want his own guy in there if Nolan struggled.

But here's the thing: the Sabres will suck this year. Everyone knows it. They're very young, they're rebuilding, they have no stars and it appears as though they are tanking for Eichel or McDavid. Everything I've seen on the Sabres has basically said "I like what they're doing for the future but they're still going to be the worst team in the league again this year."

So, with expectations that low, is it even possible for Nolan to get fired? What would have to happen to even consider firing him during the season? Personally, I can't think of a realistic scenario bad enough for that to happen. Maybe finishing worse than last year, but we were close to record lows in goals and points in the standings so I don't really consider that realistic.

[Mace]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

I'm not sure what the hosts were thinking. Lafontaine-Nolan were linked, Lafontaine's mystery boot left the perfect moment for Nolan to move along or be moved along, after some time passed, Murray extended Nolan. Murray doesn't strike me as someone who wastes much passing time not considering his options, so I think if Murray went in on Nolan, he means it.

Not so sure they're tanking, don't see the value in it, but, I sure don't think it's possible for Nolan to get fired this year, unless he socks Terry, gropes Kim, drops his pants in front of their kids or is arrested naked high on crack trying to ride an unwilling Tim Murray at a supporters luncheon.

If they did fire him during the year for hockey reasons....that would turn my back on the Sabres for the rest of my life.

[OpIv37]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

Just to clarify: I don't really think the Sabres are intentionally tanking to get McDavid or Eichel in a lottery-system league.

I do, however, think the decision to break the team down is more palatable to fans and management knowing that one of those two guys is likely to be a consolation prize for 2-3 seasons of suffering.

[Dr. Lecter]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

I sure as hell hope so.

But for now let him stay. I guess they won't win even with a good coach

[OpIv37]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

I sure as hell hope so.

But for now let him stay. I guess they won't win even with a good coach

You just hate natives because you never win in their casinos. Racist.

[JATMtheJATM]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

Why don't we like Nolan? He did wonders for myers.

[chernobylwraiths]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

I agree with Mace. Nolan was an interm coach only and was extended by Murray. I see it as virtually impossible for Nolan to be fired during the season. MAYBE he gets fired AFTER the season if some great coach becomes available. But I hope not, I like the guy. Lecter is just butt hurt because he was wrong when he said Nolan would NEVER be rehired.

[OpIv37]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

Why don't we like Nolan? He did wonders for myers.

I don't have a problem with him. I was his throwing it out there for conversation because I thought it was strange that he would even be brought up as a potential mid-season firing.

[Skooby]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

If we're playing .500 hockey, he still might get fired. This is like a free ticket for Murray to ride what was is place when he showed up & then make other moves while extending his employment period.

[trapezeus]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

never. i think the sabres are trying to build continuity. aside from pulling the goalie for a full 60 minutes in back to back games, i don't see sabre management giving up on him after this year.

[casdhf]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

Maybe we would score more than one goal a game that way ...

[Night Train]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

Makes no sense.

Murray could have let Nolan walk and hired anyone he wished...but watched the team finish the year and decided he already had the best guy.

[don137]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

If everyone in the hockey world knows the Sabres are young and rebuilding it makes no sense that Murray would fire him after getting an extension. Maybe the leash will be short in 2015-2016 season but doubt anything happens next year.

[WagonCircler]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

I think the only way Nolan could get fired would be if he wins too much.

[Dr. Lecter]

Re: Could Ted Nolan be fired during the season?

Tonight he is going to play Reinhart with Deslaurier and McCormick.

As soon as that line goes out on the ice, Murray should walk down to the bench and fire Nolan on the spot. Send the guy to the Juniors before you play him with two guys that really are not NHL players.

What a joke. He has no business coaching in the NHL