The Buffalo Sabres have removed the interim tag from head coach Ted Nolan and given him a three-year contract extension.Nolan took over on an interim basis from former coach Ron Rolston in November when Rolston and then-General Manager Darcy Regier were fired after a poor start to the season. Since then, current General Manager Tim Murray indicated on several occasions that the two sides were close to completing a deal.
"I'm really excited about the next step forward and helping shape this team into a very competitive team and a team that hopefully one day will battle for a championship," Nolan said Monday, speaking at a news conference at First Niagara Center.
This is Nolan's second stint with the Sabres. He coached the club from 1995-1997, winning the Jack Adams Trophy as the NHL's coach of the year. He left on bad terms with management at the time.
"The players seem to want to play for him," Murray said. "All I've heard is positives."
With a record of 20-45-9, the rebuilding Sabres are in last place in the National Hockey League.