Ted Nolan had his interim tag removed today. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres coach Ted Nolan excited about contract extension: ‘This is a city that deserves a championship’

BUFFALO – Tim Murray has been watching Sabres coach Ted Nolan closely for months. In trying times, the general manager said, he’s liked Nolan’s work.

The Sabres, despite the NHL’s weakest roster and worst record, still compete most nights. Murray likes Nolan’s work with the youngsters and his popularity with the veterans.

“All I’ve heard is positives,” Murray said this afternoon in announcing a three-year contract extension and removing Nolan’s interim tag.

For Nolan, who also coached the Sabres from 1995-97, Buffalo is a special place.

“One of the things I mentioned when I first got here, if I could pick a place to go, this would definitely be the place,” he said inside the First Niagara Center. “I’m excited to be here. This is a city that deserves a championship.”

The tough times the rebuilding club is enduring now – they’re 16-30-8 since Nolan replaced Ron Rolston on Nov. 13 – will help the Sabres down the road, Nolan said.

“I really believe you got to go through those rough waters in order for those smooth waters to come,” he said.

Why was the deal signed today? It was rumored to be close for weeks. With Pat LaFontaine’s March 1 resignation as president of hockey operations and the NHL trade deadline, they figured it was better to put the contract on the backburner.

Nolan’s the guy now, however, and he’s excited about the future.

“What we have now is what we have now,” he said. “You see some chunks of coal here and polish them up, they’re going to be some pretty good diamonds down the road.”

Nolan believes he and Murray are on the same page.

“I think what we both like is competitive people,” Nolan said. “We like competitive people. If you haven’t got them, you don’t win.”

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