What’s old is new again as the Buffalo Sabres have hired Lindy Ruff back. He was the team’s head coach from 1997-2013 and was the last coach to lead the team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. News of the deal was broken Monday afternoon by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. WGRZ Sports Director Adam Benigni also helped break news of the deal.
The Buffalo Sabres have hired Lindy Ruff as the team's head coach. Ruff ranks first among Buffalo head coaches all-time in wins (571) and playoff wins (57). His 864 wins as a head coach rank fifth all-time in NHL history. pic.twitter.com/ksKuGoay8f
— Sabres PR (@SabresPR) April 22, 2024
Lindy Ruff Hired a Second Time by Sabres
Ruff returns to Western New York after head coaching stops with the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils. He also had a brief tenure with the New York Rangers as an assistant coach. His NHL coaching career started with an assistant stint with the Florida Panthers. The Warburg, Alberta native ranks first in franchise history in victories (571) and post-season wins (57). His 864 wins as a head coach rank fifth all-time in NHL history.
The 64-year-old has a career record of 864-679-231 in the regular season and a 71-61 Stanley Cup Playoffs record. Ruff won the Jack Adams Award for the league’s coach of the year in 2006.
He was a team captain for the club from 1986 through 1989 and was an assistant captain for the team from 1984 until 1986. Ruff was a second round pick, 32nd overall in the 1979 NHL Draft.
What it Means
General manager Kevyn Adams is trying to capture lightning in a bottle again by having Lindy Ruff hired again. The pressure is on the Sabres to get back to the playoffs after many years in the wilderness.
Ruff has plenty of attachment and history with this club. Some may question re-hiring the veteran coach, but he knows the city and knows the market. There’s a lot of young talent on this roster, but it’s a matter of putting it all together.
The pressure is on Adams and Ruff to bring a winner back to the Queen City. However, the Sabres are in a very tough Atlantic Division.
Main photo by: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
