Sabres Add Veteran Expertise
Buffalo Sabres Tap Veteran NHL Figures Lucic, Dorsett for Key Development Roles
Key Points
Lucic announced his retirement after 17 NHL seasons and, after a short time in limbo, accepted a pro scouting role with the Sabres; he even had a brief stint in the AHL and EIHL before transitioning to Buffalo.
Dorsett brings a formal development-coach background from the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he spent three seasons in that role from 2021 to 2024; his playing career ended due to a neck injury in 2018.
Lucic’s Cup pedigree and scoring profile are highlighted by his 2011 Stanley Cup with the Bruins and career totals of 233 goals and 353 assists, underscoring his reputation as a physical, enforcer-type forward.
Sabres add two specific roles to Ruutu and Komadoski: Jarkko Ruutu is named European development coach and Neil Komadoski is named assistant director of pro scouting; Ruutu has 652 NHL games and spent a decade with Columbus in pro scouting/development, while Komadoski brings extensive pro-scouting experience from the Canucks.
Beyond Lucic and Dorsett, the Sabres’ front-office moves include Roest advancing to director of player personnel and GM of the Rochester Americans, with Kennedy elevated to director of player development; Roest’s and Kennedy’s backgrounds include long-tenured front-office experience with Tampa Bay and as a Buffalo native, respectively.
The Buffalo Sabres have hired Milan Lucic as a pro scout and Derek Dorsett as a forward development coach, according to The New York Times. The moves are part of six total hires and promotions announced on June 30, 2026 — the first major staff expansion under new general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen.
Lucic, a 17-season NHL veteran who won the Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011, officially retired on June 7, 2026. Dorsett, whose playing career ended due to a neck injury in 2018, spent three seasons as a development coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets before joining Buffalo, Pro Hockey Rumors reported.
Lucic Goes From Foe to Front Office in Buffalo
Lucic played 1,177 NHL games and recorded 233 goals, 353 assists, and 586 points over his career, according to TSN. He is best known as a physical enforcer — and, for Sabres fans, as a villain. In 2011, he delivered a hit on goaltender Ryan Miller that resulted in a concussion and years of animosity between Lucic and Buffalo.
His path to this role was rocky. In November 2023, Lucic entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program following a domestic incident. He later attempted a comeback with the St. Louis Blues' AHL affiliate and even played 26 games in Britain's top league. His retirement announcement came just three weeks before the Sabres hired him, Buffalo Hockey Beat noted.
Dorsett, Ruutu, and Komadoski Round Out the New Staff
Dorsett brings a proven development track record. He spent three seasons — 2021 to 2024 — coaching forwards for the Columbus Blue Jackets before landing in Buffalo. His playing career spanned 10 NHL seasons and 515 games before a neck injury forced him out in 2018.
The Sabres also added Jarkko Ruutu as European development coach and Neil Komadoski as assistant director of pro scouting, Daily Faceoff reported. Ruutu played 652 NHL games and spent a decade with Columbus in scouting and development. Komadoski brings 16 years of pro scouting experience from the Vancouver Canucks. Together, the new hires bring a combined 2,118 NHL games of playing experience to the organization.
Roest and Kennedy Get Big Promotions Inside the Building
Alongside the outside hires, the Sabres promoted two internal staffers. Stacy Roest moves from pro scout to director of player personnel and general manager of the Rochester Americans, Buffalo's AHL affiliate. Roest spent 12 years with the Tampa Bay Lightning, including their 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup runs, according to Daily Faceoff.
Tim Kennedy, a Buffalo native and former Sabre, was elevated to director of player development after five seasons as a development coach. The Sabres also announced he replaces Adam Mair, who was dismissed following a legal incident in 2025, Buffalo Hockey Beat reported. Kennedy's promotion keeps a homegrown voice at the center of the team's development pipeline.
Kekäläinen Bets on Grit and Playoff Experience to Rebuild Sabres
GM Jarmo Kekäläinen took over in December 2025 and has moved quickly to reshape the front office. His hires prioritize playoff pedigree over process. The new staff now holds four Stanley Cup rings across its members — Lucic from 2011 and Roest from 2020 and 2021, Daily Faceoff noted. Analysts called the Roest promotion the "sneaky good move" of the group.
The expanded pro scouting team — now including Lucic, Komadoski, and a promoted Roest — signals that Buffalo may be preparing for aggressive trade activity. Buffalo Hockey Beat noted the moves represent a "ferocious" departure from the previous regime's culture. Fan reaction has been mixed, with some citing Lucic's past off-ice issues and others pointing out that physical, hard-nosed players often make strong coaches and scouts.
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