BUFFALO, N.Y. — Accountability.
The one word that was used time and time again in the Sabres locker room during cleanouts after the team announced the firing of head coach Don Granato.
"I think Donny did a really good job developing a lot of guys in this room, myself included, and helping our games but our next coach will be the one that holds us accountable," Sabres forward Alex Tuch said. "One that makes sure that we're performing to our best or you're not going to perform at all."
After all, it has been 13 years out of the playoffs and 13 years of the same mid-April locker room cleanouts in the KeyBank Center. The players who spoke over the two-day period expressed how thankful they are for Don Granato and how he has impacted their level of play. However, most players also acknowledged the need for more accountability and consistency going forward in order for this team to take the next step.
"For me, accountability is consequences and actions if you're not doing the right things on the ice," Sabres forward Tage Thompson said. "There needs to be repercussions whether its being benched or in the press box if you're not playing winning hockey."
"I think consistency is another thing. I think at times you could see that we were a great team and at other times, we were too casual," Thompson said. "It's us in here holding each other accountable and obviously needs to come from up top too and that's something I don't think we had enough of this year."
"We're ready for a little more," Sabres forward Dylan Cozens said. "Whether that's pushing us a little harder, being harder on us. Whether that's just harder practices, I think we're ready now to not be as comfortable. We want to be pushed harder and maybe held to a higher standard."
"If we are not performing, then we deserve to be benched and we should be," Cozens said. "I think that's something that will take this team to the next level."
So what are the players looking for in their next head coach?
"Someone that is going to hold us accountable," Tuch said. "Someone with experience, good hockey mind, smart. Someone that's able to do that and help us reach our full potential."
As the players head back home for the summer now, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams is just getting to work. Adams mentioned in his press conference on Tuesday that the search for a new head coach is already underway.
The team also announced on Wednesday that forward Alex Tuch had been selected as the Sabres nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The award is presented annually to the player "who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community." The winner will be chosen by a committee of senior NHL executives at a later date.
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