LaFontaine quits Sabres post
Abrupt resignation comes a day after big trade, just three months after hiring
BUFFALO, N.Y. — First, Ryan Miller. Now, Pat LaFontaine.
A day after trading their star goalie to St. Louis, the Buffalo Sabres lost another face of their franchise after LaFontaine abruptly resigned as president of hockey operations on Saturday a little more than three months after being brought in to provide a new direction to the NHL’s last-place team.
The Sabres announced the decision in a news release issued after speculation had been raised of a potential front-office shakeup involving LaFontaine.
“I would like to thank Pat for all he has done for the organization,” Sabres owner Terry Pegula said in the release.
“Pat joined us at a very difficult time, and helped transition the organization down a new path.”
The Sabres said La Fontaine would be returning to his previous role with the NHL — working with the league on player safety issues.
Hired by the Sabres in midNovember, the former captain’s arrival was hailed as a major turning point for a struggling team. LaFontaine took over following a change in the front office during which general manager Darcy Regier and coach Ron Rolston were dismissed following the Sabres’ 4-15-1 start.
LaFontaine’s first move was hiring former Sabres coach Ted Nolan to take over as coach on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.
LaFontaine’s next step came in January, when he hired Tim Murray as general manager. “Terry Pegula hired me in November, and my primary objective was to lead the Sabres organization through a time of transition,” LaFontaine said in the Sabres’ release.
“I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in a short period of time, and want to thank Terry and Kim Pegula for the opportunity and their support during my time with the Sabres.”
La Fontaine leaves a day after Murray made his first big splash by trading star goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott to the St. Louis Blues. In exchange, the Sabres acquired goalie Jaroslav Halak, forward Chris Stewart, prospect William Carrier, a 2015 first-round pick and a conditional 2016 third-round pick in a deal reached in advance of the NHL trade deadline on Wednesday.
This is not the first time LaFontaine has abruptly stepped down as an NHL team executive. In July 2006, LaFontaine quit the New York Islanders a little over a month after being brought in to serve as senior adviser to owner Charles Wang.
In Buffalo, LaFontaine’s absence was notable this week once the team returned to the ice following the league’s Olympic break. He was not spotted in the press box during the Sabres’ three-game homestand that began with a 3-2 win over Carolina on Tuesday. That was unusual because LaFontaine had previously spent time watching games from the press-box level in Pegula’s box, alongside Murray and several of the owner’s associates.
It’s not clear what effect LaFontaine’s departure will have on the team’s short-term future, including Nolan’s status. Murray said this week he’s already had discussions with Nolan about extending his contract beyond this season.
The Sabres (18-34-8) had the day off on Saturday, and return to practice on Sunday before travelling to play at Dallas on Monday.