With a bit of fuss and bunch of fanfare, the Rangers, Islanders, Devils and Sabres have produced plenty of push behind their respective benches.
The coaching — and assistant coach — changes collectively could determine the final standings for the four teams.
From the Rangers’ insertion of Lindy Ruff alongside Alain Vigneault to the Islanders’ stunning decision to place Scott Gomez in a head counselor role for the youthful Brooklynites, coaching moves have been as wild as a Coney Island ride.
By far the most relevant — and recent — as head-coaching upheavals go, took place earlier this summer in Buffalo.
With new general manager Jason Botterill rebuilding his potentially lethal Sabres, names such as Ruff, Ted Nolan and Jack Capuano were bypassed in favor of Buffalo icon Phil Housley.
