When it comes to finding a new coach, give the Sabres and Red Wings credit. They know what they want, so much so that both losing parties in the Mike Babcock sweepstakes seem to have forgone a broad search in favor of focusing on one candidate.
As was long expected, the Sabres interviewed former Penguins coach Dan Bylsma on Wednesday, according to Sportsnet.ca. On Tuesday, the Red Wings met with Jeff Blashill, a highly touted up-and-comer who coaches their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, Mich. Both men are considered the odds-on favorites to land the jobs, and thus far, neither team has indicated they are inclined to look elsewhere.
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Those feelings seem to be mutual.
Bylsma, who won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009, has yet to interview with a team other than the Sabres. An opportunity to coach likely No. 2 overall draft pick Jack Eichel is a major selling point. That's especially true given Bylsma's long history with USA Hockey, which Eichel has been a part of for years.
Buffalo has not scheduled an interview with any other candidate since missing on Babcock, according to The Buffalo News. Binghamton Senators coach Luke Richardson, long mentioned in the Sabres' search because of his ties to general manager Tim Murray, reportedly had not received a request to be interviewed by any team as of Monday.
Because Bylsma is still under contract with the Penguins, interested teams were required to receive permission from Pittsburgh general manager Jim Rutherford before scheduling an interview. The Sabres were the first to be granted an opportunity to speak with Bylsma. The Sharks also requested permission but reportedly hired former Devils coach Peter DeBoer on Wednesday before an interview with Bylsma took place.
Provided the Red Wings are all in on Blashill, which is thought to be the case, that leaves the Devils as the only remaining team with a coaching vacancy.
New Jersey became the third and most recent team this week to request an interview with Bylsma. New general manager Ray Shero hired Bylsma in Pittsburgh and could opt for the familiarity, but a meeting between the two has not yet taken place.
Former Lightning coach Guy Boucher, spurned at the last minute by the Maple Leafs when they hired Babcock last week, is considered one of the favorites to wind up behind the bench in New Jersey.
For Detroit, general manager Ken Holland promised a brief search consisting of "two or three names." Bylsma was originally thought to be a candidate, but the Red Wings have not sought permission from the Penguins.
Sportsnet reported Blashill is still the "favorite" for the Red Wings job after Tuesday's interview.