On June 15, 2017, following the end of the Nashville Predators season, the Buffalo Sabres named Phil Housley their new head coach.
First Season
While much expectation was placed on Housley in his inaugural season, the team did not play to their potential and finished last in the Eastern Conference and landed the 1st overall draft pick. With that pick, the Sabres drafted the highly touted Swedish defenseman, Rasmus Dahlin. Dahlin was projected to be a generational talent at the defense position.
Despite the addition of Housley, as the head coach, Buffalo regressed from 78 points in 2016-17 to 62 points in 2017-18.