Hall of Famer Trottier joins staff of Sabres

BUFFALO SABRES coach Ted Nolan yesterday unveiled his new staff of assistants, who will include former NHL players Bryan Trottier and Arturs Irbe.

And first-year general manager Tim Murray also shuffled his hockey department by making three moves, including hiring Rob Murphy to the newly created role of director of scouting.

Greg Royce was hired as director of amateur scouting, and Murray promoted Mark Jakubowski to take over as assistant general manager.

The additions and changes continue a series of shakeups that have occurred since Nolan and Murray took over midway through last season.

The Sabres have spent much of the past year rebuilding from scratch. Buffalo (21-51-10) bottomed out last season, finishing last in the standings and setting a franchise record for losses.

Trottier provides Nolan's staff a high-profile presence.

He is the former New York Islanders star forward and Hockey Hall of Famer who has won seven Stanley Cup championships as a player and assistant coach. Trottier has 9 years of NHL coaching experience split among 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.

"I'm very happy with the group of talented hockey minds we were able to assemble," Nolan said. "Each of these coaches brings an extensive and different background from the hockey world. And I'm confident they will help get our team to where it needs to go this season."

Nolan coached the Islanders from 2006-08, when he first got to know Trottier.

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