And then there was only one team without a head coach. According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the Florida Panthers are preparing to make Bob Boughner their newest head coach.
Barring any last-minute hiccups, FLA and Bob Boughner are closing in on a deal for him to be the Panthers' new head coach.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 10, 2017
Once that hire becomes official, the Sabres will be the lone NHL club without a bench boss. Boughner reportedly interviewed with the Sabres last month.
McKenzie adds that once the Stanley Cup Final has ended (series will end Sunday or Wednesday), the Sabres will interview Nashville Predators assistant coach Phil Housley and possibly Pittsburgh Penguins assistants Rick Tocchet and Jaques Martin.
BUF is waiting for Cup final to end to interview Housley, and possibly PIT assistant coaches Rick Tocchet and Jacques Martin.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 10, 2017
That leaves the Sabres with a pretty tight window -- New GM Jason Botterill has said multiple times he wants to have a new head coach in place by the NHL Draft on June 23.
Bove's take:
Cool, awesome, great; now go hire Phil Housley.
For my money, Housley is the best option for the #Sabres & I think he could immediately help them on & off the icehttps://t.co/bN5y9bdsoG
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) June 1, 2017
