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Buffalo, N.Y. • The "Fire Darcy!" chants in Buffalo finally resonated with Sabres owner Terry Pegula.
Acknowledging fans' discontent directed at the architect of the Sabres' slow-moving rebuilding plans, Pegula fired general manager Darcy Regier and rookie coach Ron Rolston on Wednesday.
Pegula then leaned on two familiar faces of the Sabres' past to begin turning around a team that's off to its worst start in franchise history.
Former captain Pat LaFontaine takes over in the newly created role of president of hockey operations. It's a job in which he'll be responsible for hiring Regier's successor.
And LaFontaine's first move was hiring Ted Nolan to take over as coach for the rest of the season. Nolan returns to Buffalo, where he began his NHL coaching career in 1995. He spent two seasons in Buffalo before leaving the team in a contract squabble after being named the league's coach of the year.
"So why now? I just decided, and that's the only answer I can give you," Pegula said. "Sometimes you get to the point where a change is needed."
The shake-up comes with Buffalo (4-15-1) stuck at the bottom of the NHL standings.