Lindy Ruff has returned to Buffalo after more than ten years, coming back to coach the Sabres. He was dismissed as the team’s most successful coach over a decade ago. Since then, he has coached in Dallas and New Jersey.
The Sabres, who haven’t made the playoffs in 13 seasons, are looking to Ruff to make a difference. He takes over from Don Granato, who was fired last week after coaching for more than three seasons.
Ruff has a strong connection to Buffalo, having played as a defenseman and served as captain before coaching the team for more than 14 seasons. The last time the Sabres made the playoffs with Ruff was in 2011, when they lost in the first round to Philadelphia in seven games.
His return evokes memories of his efforts to improve things in Buffalo before his departure. Since then, the team’s struggles have only deepened.
They’ve had the worst record in the NHL four times during this period, with seven different coaches and four general managers. The Sabres have undergone several rebuilding phases and finished last season with the youngest roster in the NHL.
General manager Kevyn Adams achieved his aim of hiring a coach with extensive experience by bringing in Ruff.
Ruff, who was named the NHL’s coach of the year with Buffalo in 2006, has coached 1,774 games and won 864, including a record 571 with Buffalo. Adams began his coaching career as Ruff’s assistant in Buffalo in 2011.
“As I went through the hiring process, it quickly became clear Lindy was the person for the job,” Adams said. “He has experience, a proven track record, familiarity with young players, and much more.
“I want to be clear, though, that this hire was not made with nostalgia in mind. Lindy is the right person for the job now, and any history with our organization and community is simply a bonus. I believe wholeheartedly that Lindy can help our team reach their goals.”
Ruff coached the New Jersey Devils for four seasons, guiding them to the second round of the playoffs last year before being fired in March. He was replaced by Travis Green, and the Devils missed the playoffs.
“This is a team ready to take the next step,” Ruff said. “I am both humbled and honored to be trusted to help this team win now. It is not a job that I take lightly. … There is no doubt that we all need to embrace the challenge ahead of us. The work starts today, and I could not be more excited.”
