BUFFALO, N.Y. — Former Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma is free to take any job opening, including the Buffalo Sabres’ vacancy.

That was the response Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford provided The Associated Press on Thursday, when asked if he granted Buffalo permission to interview Bylsma. Though Bylsma was fired last June, he remains on Pittsburgh’s payroll because his contract runs through the end of next season.

San Jose, New Jersey and Detroit also have coaching openings.