Ralph Krueger fired with Sabres in middle of 12-game losing streak

The Buffalo Sabres announced Wednesday morning that head coach Ralph Krueger has been fired.

According to Elliotte Friedman, assistant coach Don Granato is expected to take over as interim coach. General manager Kevyn Adams will hold a press conference later in the morning.

Through 28 games this season, the Sabres are 31st in the NHL with six wins and a .286 winning percentage. They are currently mired in a 12-game losing streak and have not claimed the full two points in a game since Feb. 23. Krueger was hired in May 2019 and he compiled a record of 36-49-12 in 97 games. The .433 win percentage over that span is the third-worst in the NHL, with only Ottawa (.408) and Detroit (.302) lower.

Krueger was signed through the 2021-22 season and is owed $3.75M, according to Pierre LeBrun.

Two weeks ago Adams said the everyone in the organization was being evaluated. He also used the word “unacceptable” multiple times while talking about the team. It was clear changes were coming, and they likely will not end with Krueger’s dismissal.

Moves in the summer by Adams to improve the team have not worked. The Taylor Hall bet isn’t working out and he’ll likely be traded before the April 12 deadline. Eric Staal is another player likely gone in the coming weeks. Then there’s captain Jack Eichel, who is out injured, possibly for the rest of the season. The losing has worn on him, something he’s expressed publicly. Will this tire fire of a season be the final straw before a possibly off-season trade is explored?

Story continues

The news out of Buffalo is just beginning. It should be a wild few months for that organization.

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Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy.

Ralph Krueger fired with Sabres in middle of 12-game losing streak originally appeared on NBCSports.com