from Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com,

The Buffalo Sabres took a step toward turning themselves around when they fired coach Ralph Krueger on Wednesday, but it was a first step. What matters now is the next step, and the one after that, and the one after that.

Coaching is part of a larger picture. The Sabres (6-18-4) are last in the NHL this season, a big disappointment. But they likely will miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 10th straight season, the longest drought in the NHL. What does that tell you?

"Of course, results matter," general manager Kevyn Adams said Wednesday. "This is a results business, and where we are is unacceptable. It speaks for itself. But it's deeper than that, and to change the culture and to do what we have to do to get this headed in the right direction, I felt this was the move we had to make."

Asked about changing the culture, Adams spoke of each member of the organization "stacking wins" in his or her role. He said he made a tough decision in firing Krueger, a smart, worldly man the players liked and in whom they believed, amid a season filled with injuries and COVID-19 disruptions. Assistant Don Granato replaces Krueger for now.

"Now my next decision has to be the right one, and it has to be the right one after that," Adams said.

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