BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Buffalo Sabres coach Ted Nolan is leaning on NHL experience by hiring Bryan Trottier and Arturs Irbe to his staff.
Trottier, the former New York Islanders star, has nine years of NHL coaching experience split between Pittsburgh, Colorado and the New York Rangers. It was with the Rangers where he spent part of the 2002-03 season as head coach.
Irbe will serve as goalie coach. He is a two-time All-Star goalie, who spent 13 seasons in the NHL, before leaving to play in Europe. From Latvia, Irbe worked with Nolan, who is coach of the country's national team.
Nolan filled out his staff on Monday by hiring Danny Flynn and Tom Coolen. Nolan took over in Buffalo on an interim basis in November before signing a three-year contract in March.