BUFFALO – Former Boston Bruins winger Milan Lucic, whose ferocious open-ice hit in 2011 concussed goalie Ryan Miller and made him public enemy No. 1 in these parts, has joined the Sabres as a pro scout.
Lucic’s hire was one of six the Sabres announced Tuesday. This is general manager Jarmo Kekalainen’s first offseason running the team.
– South Buffalo native Tim Kennedy, who spent the last five years as a development coach, has been named director of player development.
He replaces Adam Mair, who was let go last year after being charged with felony DUI for allegedly driving under the influence and crashing his car with children in it.
Kennedy, a former forward, played 162 NHL games, including 79 with the Sabres.
– Stacy Roest has been named director of player personnel and GM of the Rochester Americans.
Roest spent 12 years in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization serving in various front office roles, including director of player personnel, director player development, assistant GM and GM of the AHL Syracuse Crunch.
He joined the Sabres last season as a pro scout.
– Neil Komadoski has been named assistant director of pro scouting.
– Former NHL agitator Jarko Ruutu, who bit Sabres enforcer in 2009, has been named European development coach.
– Former NHL tough guy has Derek Dorsett has named forward development coach.
Check back later for more on this developing story.