The differences couldn’t be more stark. New Buffalo Sabres coach Dan Bylsma has a very different method than what the players and fans have been used to seeing for the last couple of seasons. Previous coach Ted Nolan was oft-criticized for his draconian and outdated approach to the game. Of course, the talent level on the ice has improved vastly, but even among the players who have been here a couple of seasons, the changes are quite visible.
Nolan was renowned for his process relying on players working hard on the ice. He was all about the effort on the ice, and very little about the actual X’s and O’s.