Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato is ill and won’t be available for this afternoon’s home game, the team announced this morning. Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert will assume his duties behind the bench for the day.
Granato, 56, conducted Friday’s practice and addressed the media after the Sabres prepared for their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at KeyBank Center.
When Granato went into COVID-19 protocol in 2020-21, general manager Kevyn Adams subbed behind the bench and Appert, 49, filled in as an assistant coach and ran practice the next day. During Granato’s stint in protocol in 2021-22, assistant coach Matt Ellis briefly took over Granato’s duties.
Amerks assistant coaches Nathan Paetsch and Vinny Prospal will split the coaching duties for tonight’s road game against the Utica Comets, according to the AHL team.
