Buffalo GM Tim Murray’s organizational overhaul continued on Friday, as he announced Chadd Cassidy -- head coach of the team’s AHL affiliate in Rochester -- has been dismissed after two seasons on the job.
“I’d like to thank Chadd for all of his hard work and contributions during his time with the Amerks,” Murray said in a statement. “With the organization as a whole continuing to move forward into a new chapter, we have decided to make a change at that position and will begin the search for a new Amerks head coach immediately.”
Cassidy, 41, has been with the Sabres organization four the last four years, first serving as an assistant in Rochester under Ron Rolston before taking the gig himself in 2013-14. The Amerks missed the Calder Cup playoffs this year with a 29-41-6 record.
Cassidy’s dismissal comes just three weeks after the Sabres relieved head coach Ted Nolan of his duties, and announced the contracts of assistant coaches Bryan Trottier and Tom Coolen would not be renewed.
So, needless to say, Buffalo has some hiring to do.
The club has already been tied to a few coaches for the NHL gig, including AHL Binghamton bench boss Luke Richardson and ex-Sharks coach Todd McLellan. It remains to be seen who’ll be in the running for the Amerks job, but the Sabres are probably looking for someone with high teaching acumen and the ability to develop players, given they’re in the midst of a rebuild and looking to stockpile talent through the draft.