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Sabres hire Mike Bales, Don Granato to coaching staff

2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six

SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Mike Bales of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates by hoisting the Stanley Cup after their 3-1 victory to win the Stanley Cup against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. The Pittsburgh Penguins defeat the San Jose Sharks 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Newly hired Buffalo Sabres coach Ralph Krueger has begun filling out his staff by hiring Don Granato and Mike Bales, who will take over as the goalie coach.

Krueger also retained Steve Smith, who was an assistant under former Sabres coach Phil Housley, who was fired in April. The team announced the additions Friday, some four weeks after Krueger was hired.

Bales has six seasons of NHL coaching experience, including the past two with the Carolina Hurricanes. He was previously with the Penguins, where Bales was credited with scouting and developing current Pittsburgh starting goalie Matt Murray.

Granato joins the Sabres after spending the past two seasons as an assistant with the Chicago Blackhawks. He was previously the associate head coach at the University of Wisconsin and also spent seven seasons as head coach of the St. Louis Blues’ American Hockey League affiliate.

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