Should this assistant head coach be an option next season?

As the Sabres offseason begins earlier than they always seem to wish, they should be looking at who to bring in both on and off the ice. Just as important as who they have playing, they need to be thinking about to who have behind the bench.

At the moment, one coach the Sabres should consider making a play for is Seattle Kraken assistant coach Jessica Campbell. The Kraken recently fired their head coach and former Sabres coach Dan Bylsma.

They seem to be keeping Campbell but there could be a chance that the new coach may want to have him bring in his own staff. The Sabres should make inquiries to see if she can come on board either way.

She assisted the Kraken a year ago with the power play. The Kraken had an 18.9% success rate with a man up which was slighty better than Buffalo who was at 18.8% during the year. The Sabres however, lost a lot of one goal games a year ago and seemed to get down early. Having a smart coach who does well with special teams may be a difference maker.

It also says a lot that Seattle at the moment is wishing to keep Campbell on. It is a testament to her ability as a coach.

The 32-year-old Campbell will be entering her second season as an NHL coach.

She played for the Candadian women's national team and won a silver medal at the 2015 IIHF Championships. She had been coaching in the minor leagues prior to her time with the Kraken.

Her time with the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the AHL was successful as the team saw an appearance in the Finals during her tenure.

Lindy Ruff is the head coach for next year, but the Sabres will need to look toward the future sooner than later. If the Sabres are able to bring in a young coach like Campbell it may be a way for Ruff to mold her into the next head coach for Buffalo.

She is the first-time female coach behind the bench and would be a welcome addition to the Sabres if they can pull her away from the Kraken. At an ESPN W summit in New York City, she spoke of her hockey philosophy. "Just sharing my mind, how I see the game, I think that's important. That's where people start to hear your voice and your way of looking at the game."

The Sabres need a major change to shake things up, they have tried everything over the past 14 years. Now looking at a new type of coach, with a strong hockey background may be the ticket.