Reports: Unrest in Buffalo
/ Chris NicholsRumors abound of a potential shakeup in the executive suite of Buffalo Sabres. I've asked the principals for comment. No response thus far.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2025
If that changes -- confirmation or denial -- I will pass it along.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2025
Something is up with Pat LaFontaine and the Buffalo Sabres.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 1, 2025
May be relevant today: LaFontaine quit Isles after 40 days in 2006 when Wang hired Snow and Pat didn't have any input.
— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) March 1, 2025
I have inquired with both Pat LaFontaine and Ted Black about the current Internet chatter. No response as of yet, same as with TSN. #Sabres
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) March 1, 2025
The BUF rumors I tweeted about earlier focus primarily but not exclusively on Pat LaFontaine. Still no comment from anyone in BUF.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2025
Amid the speculation Pat Lafontaine is leaving the @BuffaloSabres reminds me of his short stay with the NYI. Resigning there as well.
— Daren Millard (@darenmillard) March 1, 2025
Told the Sabres are "still trying to work out some internal issues." But doesn't sound promising.
— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) March 1, 2025
As others have reported, where there's smoke there's fire..in Buffalo. Front office turmoil for sure.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) March 1, 2025
Woke to early morning text from friend asking if LaFontaine had been fired. Thought he was just drunk, ignored it. Now? Folo @BNHarrington
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) March 1, 2025
There has been no response to an inquiry to the #Sabres media relations dept as well. And that's highly unusual.
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) March 1, 2025
No one saw Pat LaFontaine last night, which in retrospect is odd. I'm told by two people he was a late scratch to Power Play Luncheon
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) March 1, 2025
If there is discord in #Sabres front office, the clear issues would be disagreement over the Miller trade or the status of Nolan.
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) March 1, 2025
#Sabres Edge update: Front office discord could involve LaFontaine http://t.co/O2OXMH5XX0
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) March 1, 2025
Based on early comments by Tim Murray I would have thought Ted Nolan would have had the interim title removed. Nolan was Lafontaines hire.
— Daren Millard (@darenmillard) March 1, 2025
I hear the Sabres are bringing back Darcy Regier and Ron Rolston. JUST KIDDING!
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) March 1, 2025
#Sabres rumblings won't go away. Told they cont' to deal with issues of management structure. Could this involve who's the coach next yr?
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) March 1, 2025
Barring any last minute efforts at reconciling, it's appears LaFontaine days with #Sabres is over. One source described situation as "ugly"
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) March 1, 2025
Know this about Tim Murray. He didn't take the GM job in Buffalo to be anyone's second banana. #sabres
— Wayne Scanlan (@HockeyScanner) March 1, 2025
Sabres make it official -- LaFontaine resigns
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 1, 2025
Pat LaFontaine resigns. My column from the day after his hiring noted that he wasn't in a position to succeed: http://t.co/wLMlaWBQPV
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 1, 2025
Pat Lafontaine just resigned from the Sabres. Tim Murray will be the only one making the calls.
— Renaud Lavoie (@LavoieRenaud) March 1, 2025
BUF announces Pat LaFontaine has resigned as president of the Sabres and returned to work for NHL head office in NYC.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2025
NEWS: The Buffalo #Sabres today announced Pat LaFontaine has resigned his position with the Sabres to resume his previous role with the @NHL
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 1, 2025
My life gets pretty dysfunctional sometimes. But I've got nothing on the Buffalo Sabres.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_Trib) March 1, 2025
And the ink was almost dry on Pat LaFontaine's #Sabres business cards, too
— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) March 1, 2025
Somewhere, Mark Burnett is on the phone... "I've got an idea about this reality reality series based in Buffalo." #Sabres #WTF
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) March 1, 2025
The last straw was the Ryan Miller trade. Pat Lafontaine was pushing to give Miller an extension. Tim Murray was pushing for a trade.
— Renaud Lavoie (@LavoieRenaud) March 1, 2025
LaFontaine's title in BUF was President of Hockey Operations.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 1, 2025
Some close to the Sabres says there was no power struggle, Lafontaine wanted to get back to New York and the working for NHL. Hmmmmm.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 1, 2025
Was thoroughly impressed w/LaFontaine's introductory press conference but Miller trade a strong indication Sabres in good hands w/Murray.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) March 1, 2025
99 times out of 100, the GM in hockey wins the power struggle. He's in the office each day, and gets close with the owner.
— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) March 1, 2025
Official word is Pat LaFontaine has resigned as Sabres president of hockey operations. Surely more to story. Likely not good for Ted Nolan.
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) March 1, 2025
Incredible that Pat LaFontaine has resigned less than 3 months after taking over as #Sabres president of hockey operations.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) March 1, 2025
The #Sabres would like to thank Pat LaFontaine for all he has done for the organization.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 1, 2025
@Real_ESPNLeBrun You couldn't pay me enough to relive most of this stuff.
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) March 1, 2025
The media is holed up in a back hall of the FNC awaiting more comment from the #Sabres
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) March 1, 2025
Pat LaFontaine resigns position with #Sabres. Statements from owner Terry Pegula, LaFontaine: http://t.co/FkRpi1KTqY
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 1, 2025
Definitely hearing conflicting items. Source close 2 team says LaF wanted 2 go back to NYC/NHL. Another says this is all about Miller/Nolan.
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) March 1, 2025
Sabres Hockey Prez LaFontaine was told he had final say over hockey decisions. Once GM was hired, LaFontaine wasn't getting final say.
— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) March 2, 2025
Does anyone really think Patty just wanted to leave and go back to the NHL?? Pull my other leg.. It plays jingle bells
— Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) March 1, 2025
Before the resignation... I was told it is not what it looks like. Complete opposite. So he did not return bc he missed NY
— Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) March 2, 2025
His son plays @BuffaloJrSabres and committed to Canisius. And Pat loves watching him
— Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) March 2, 2025
I have been told Ted Nolan has been offered a 3 year contract extension. Negotiations will continue.
— Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) March 2, 2025
I have also been told from sources inside the Sabres the Lafontaine just wanted to get back to New York.
— Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) March 2, 2025
Other close sources tell me he did clash with some close to Terry Pegula and didn't have the final say he thought he had.
— Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) March 2, 2025
Ehrhoff: "I was shocked and very surprised. I thought Patty did a very good job." #Sabres
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) March 2, 2025
Tallinder on LaF: "It's a shocker. When he got hired, you thought he would be here for a long time." #Sabres
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) March 2, 2025
Pegula took over looking for a Stanley Cup. This team has just been a comics dream since his arrival. They do have a great dressing room tho
— Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) March 2, 2025
Working phones all night. I'm hearing LaFontaine did not resign, but was fired. Many, many theories out there with blame on both sides.
— Bucky Gleason (@TBNbucky) March 2, 2025
You reach a point where so much is said that contradicts what you just heard that you believe nothing. It's amazing ... and disturbing.
— Bucky Gleason (@TBNbucky) March 2, 2025
One thing that is consistent: LaF and Murray agreed Nolan should stay. Power struggle was higher than Murray but not all execs involved.
— Bucky Gleason (@TBNbucky) March 2, 2025
In a word: bizarre.
— Bucky Gleason (@TBNbucky) March 2, 2025