The Buffalo Sabres have an agreement in place to hire Dan Bylsma as coach pending compensation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Associated Press reported Thursday.

Bylsma interviewed with the Sabres about their coaching vacancy for a second straight day Thursday, according to the AP, which stated the meeting Wednesday took place in Buffalo and included Sabres owners Terry Pegula and Kim Pegula, and general manager Tim Murray.

After losing out on Mike Babcock, who became coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 20, the Sabres received permission to interview Bylsma to replace Ted Nolan, who was fired last month.

Bylsma was fired as Penguins coach following the 2013-14 season. His contract with the Penguins runs through the 2015-16 season but he has permission to interview with other teams.

The 44-year-old went 252-117-32 in 401 regular-season games with the Penguins and 43-45 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup in 2009 and won the Jack Adams Award in 2011. He coached Pittsburgh to four 100-point seasons and finished no worse than second in its division in all six seasons.

Bylsma recently served as an assistant coach for the United States at the 2015 IIHF World Championship, where he coached Boston University center Jack Eichel, likely to be selected by the Sabres with the No. 2 pick of the 2015 NHL Draft on June 26.

The New Jersey Devils are believed to have permission to talk to Bylsma about their coaching position, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Sunday.