The last time Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray worked with new coach Dan Bylsma was around 11 years ago, when both were with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
“I was the director of player personnel. Danny was near the end of his career as a player. So I complained about him. A lot. That’s about all I remember,” said Murray, drawing a laugh from Bylsma.
They’ve both come a long way since then, although Murray is quick to note only one of them has hoisted the Stanley Cup. And that’s why Bylsma is an essential choice to coach a Buffalo Sabres team that's trying to claw its way up from a self-imposed decent to the bottom of the standings.