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Buffalo Sabres assistant coach Don Granato hospitalized with pneumonia

Buffalo Sabres assistant coach Don Granato has taken a medical leave of absence and will miss the start of the season.
Credit: AP
Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger, top, talks with Sabres players Jeff Skinner (53), Evan Rodrigues (71) and Curtis Lazar (27) during an NHL preseason hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/John Beale)

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Sabres assistant coach Don Granato, 52, has been hospitalized with pneumonia and will miss the start of the season.     

The Sabres announced Tuesday that Granato will be taking a medical leave of absence. Top minor league coach Chris Taylor will fill in on an interim basis.    

Granato joined the Sabres in June as part of newly hired coach Ralph Krueger's staff. Granato spent the past two years as an assistant with the Chicago Blackhawks.     

"The curve is in the right direction and we're optimistic that he will recover fully from this setback," Krueger said. "He's in very good medical hands."  

His brother is former NHL player and current Wisconsin coach Tony Granato. Sister Cammi Granato is a former U.S. national hockey team captain and was hired as a pro scout by the NHL's expansion franchise Seattle last month.    

The Sabres open the season at Pittsburgh on Thursday.

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