The head coach of the Bufflo Sabres has compared a recent signing to an all-time great, which is problematic.

NEW YORK, BUFFALO (AP) In recognition of the team’s growth in Don Granato’s first full season, the Buffalo Sabres signed him to a two-year contract extension on Wednesday.

Granato’s current contract was set to expire after two years, and he is now committed through the 2025–2026 season. According to someone with knowledge of the agreement who spoke to The Associated Press, he will earn slightly less than $2 million for each season of the extension, not including bonuses. The individual spoke under anonymity because the Sabres withheld the contract’s terms.

The coach was commended by Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams for cultivating a youthful core of players, which included center Tage Thompson, who recorded a career-high 38 goals in the previous campaign.

“Don’s ‘earning it’ mentality permeates the entire team. For our players and staff, it is more than just a mindset—it is a motivating factor, according to a statement from Adams. “The players hold him in the highest regard, and he commits himself to making every member of the team better.”

Granato, 55, took over as Buffalo’s interim coach in March 2021 after Ralph Krueger was fired, during which the Sabres were experiencing their worst 18-game losing streak as a franchise. Since then, he has a 41-55-14 record. The following summer, Granato was hired as a full-time coach, and he led the Sabres to a 32-39-11 record in the previous campaign.

Buffalo finished with a 12-6-3 record to finish fifth in the Atlantic Division, matching the team’s best finish since finishing third in 2011–12. Despite missing the playoffs for an NHL record 11 years running, Buffalo showed promise.

Granato calmed his young players by insisting they play without fear of making mistakes, and he also introduced an uptempo attack.

Aside from Thompson’s increase in output, Rasmus Dahlin, a defenseman, achieved career highs of 68 points and 13 goals. Veteran forward Jeff Skinner had a comeback as well. The previous season, he struggled to carve out a role under Krueger and ended with 33 goals and 63 points.

Dahlin remarked in May, “He makes sure that you are confident.” He exerts pressure on you. He wants each and every guy to be successful there. He seems to truly have your back.

After dealing away many veterans last November, including captain Jack Eichel, to Vegas, the Sabres are rebuilding through youth this season.

Buffalo also extended Adams’ contract last month. The team plays Ottawa at home on Thursday to start the season.

Prior to being hired as the head coach of Buffalo in the NHL, Granato had a wealth of coaching and scouting experience, beginning with the USHL Wisconsin Capitols in 1993–1994. He hails from a well-known hockey family in Illinois.

His sister Cammie, who captained the American women’s team to an Olympic gold in 1998 in Nagano, is an assistant general manager with the Vancouver Canucks and one of the first women inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Tony, his brother, is a current coach at the University of Wisconsin after spending time as both a player and coach in the NHL.