When Jason Botterill was introduced four days ago, the new Sabres general manager said he wanted a head coach in place before the NHL Draft.
According to NHL reporter Chuck Gormley, Washington Capitals associate coachTodd Reirden is a candidate for bench boss with the Blue & Gold.
Capitals asst coach Todd Reirden in the hunt for vacant head coaching jobs in @BuffaloSabres and @FlaPanthers.
— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyNHL) May 15, 2017
And yes, Botterill and Reirden share a Pittsburgh connection.
Reirden was an assistant with Pittsburgh from 2010 until his dismissal four years later.
Prior to that, the 45-year-old was a coach at Bowling Green, where he also played college hockey.
According to Washington's web site, Reirden is "responsible for the team's defensemen and power play."
It wouldn't be a total surprise if the Sabres went with a coach with a defensive background, considering the struggles on the blue line.
After being drafted by the New Jersey Devils, most of Reirden's pro career was spent in the minor leagues. He did have NHL stints with the Oilers, Blues and Thrashers.
While with Washington, Reirden and the Capitals have enjoyed plenty of regular season success but seen their postseason hopes dashed.
They've won the Metropolitan Division and Presidents' Trophy each of the last two seasons, only to be bounced from the playoffs in the second round.
