Ruff Back Behind The Bench In Buffalo
Longest-tenured Sabres head coach returns after 11-year absence
Ruff Back Behind The Bench In BuffaloWhen Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said last week that he is looking for a head coach with NHL experience who can push his young squad to the next level and get his club over the hump, one of the first names that came to mind was former Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. A mere six days after firing Don Granato, the Sabres announced that they are bringing back Ruff after an 11-year absence to be their next head coach.
The 64-year-old is the longest-tenured coach in Sabres history, going 571-432-78-84 from 1997 to 2013, leading Buffalo to the playoffs eight times (including the Stanley Cup Final in 1999) and returns to the club after an 11-year absence. Ruff played 10 seasons in Buffalo as a player from 1979 to 1989 and served as team captain from 1987 until 1989.
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The former Jack Adams Trophy winner was hired in Dallas in 2013 and led the Stars to two playoff appearances in four seasons, but was fired in 2017. After serving as an assistant with the New Rangers, Ruff returned as a head coach in New Jersey and led the young Devils to the playoffs last season, beating the New York Rangers before losing to Carolina in the second round and earning a multi-year contract extension, but after a disappointing season, the Devils fired Ruff in favor of interim coach Travis Green.
The hiring of Ruff will undoubtedly be a popular choice for the fan base, but they will expect results from a club that has a lot of talent but has not made the playoffs since 2011 with him behind the bench.
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