BREAKING NEWS: message: Former Buffalo Sabres Head coach Don Granato now with Edmonton oilers sent a crucial NHL report to Buffalo Sabres Head Coach Lindy Ruff concerning…. See more

.            In a surprising development that has caught the attention of the hockey world, former Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato, now serving in a senior advisory role with the Edmonton Oilers, has reportedly sent a confidential NHL report to Buffalo Sabres Head Coach Lindy Ruff.

 

According to team sources familiar with the situation, the report is said to contain detailed analysis on player development strategies, opponent scouting data, and advanced metrics gathered during Granato’s brief tenure with Edmonton. The move has raised eyebrows around the league, as such exchanges between rival organizations are uncommon — especially during the regular season.

 

A Gesture of Respect and Continuity

 

While the contents of the report remain undisclosed, insiders suggest the correspondence was more of a professional courtesy than a controversy. Granato, who coached the Sabres from 2021 to 2024, played a key role in developing several of the team’s current young stars, including Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Dylan Cozens.

 

“Don always cared deeply about the progress of this organization,” one Buffalo front-office official said on condition of anonymity. “If he shared insights with Lindy, it’s likely in the spirit of helping the players he helped nurture continue to grow.”

 

Ruff’s Return and the Sabres’ New Direction

 

Lindy Ruff, who returned to Buffalo’s bench in 2024 after nearly a decade away, has been credited with refocusing the team’s defensive structure while maintaining Granato’s offensive creativity. The Sabres have started the 2025–26 season strong, sitting near the top of the Atlantic Division standings.

 

When asked about the alleged communication, Ruff smiled and said,

 

> “Don and I have always had mutual respect. He’s a great hockey mind. Let’s just say, in this league, good information always finds its way around.”

 

 

 

The League’s Response

 

The NHL has made no comment on whether any rules were violated, emphasizing that inter-coach communication is not uncommon as long as no proprietary data or trade secrets are shared.

 

Whatever the truth behind the report, one thing is clear — the bonds between coaches in the hockey world often tr

anscend team boundaries.