Buffalo announces that Don Granato and Mike Bales will join Ralph Krueger’s staff.
By Chad DeDominicis / Diebytheblade.com
The Buffalo Sabres announced on Friday that new head coach Ralph Krueger made two hires to his coaching in Don Granato and Mike Bales. Both bring NHL experience and a good reputation to the Sabres bench.
Granato was an assistant with the Chicago Blackhawks the previous two years with Joel Quenneville and Jeremy Colliton. Throughout his career he spent time with the St. Louis Blues, the AHL, University of Wisconsin, and the US National Development Program.
Bales comes over from the Carolina Hurricanes, where he was their goaltending coach the last two years. He also previously spent time as the goalie coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins during their recent Stanley Cup runs.
When the reports came out a few days ago of Bales joining the Sabres staff it was expected he would be their goalie coach as well. However, the Sabres have designated him as an assistant coach on Krueger’s staff.
Lastly, as expected, current assistant coach Steve Smith will remain on the staff moving forward.