Lindy Ruff, the former Sabres' winningest coach, is making a triumphant return to Buffalo after being hired by the team on Monday. Ruff, who was fired 11 years ago, has since coached in Dallas and New Jersey before rejoining the Sabres. He takes over from Don Granato, who was relieved of his duties after a three-plus season stint.
Ruff's hiring marks a homecoming for the former Sabres defenseman and captain, who spent over 14 seasons coaching the team, culminating in their last playoff appearance in 2011. His return brings back memories of his determination to turn things around in Buffalo before his departure.
Since Ruff's departure, the Sabres have faced significant challenges, including finishing with the NHL's worst record four times, cycling through seven coaches and four general managers, and undergoing multiple rebuilding phases. The team ended last season with the league's youngest roster.
General manager Kevyn Adams' decision to bring in Ruff aligns with his goal of hiring an experienced coach. Ruff, a Jack Adams Trophy winner in 2006, boasts an impressive coaching record with 864 victories in 1,774 games, including a franchise-record 571 wins with Buffalo.
Ruff's coaching experience extends to the New Jersey Devils, where he led the team to the second round of the playoffs last year before his departure in March. He expressed his excitement about the opportunity to help the Sabres succeed and emphasized the team's readiness to progress.
Ruff's tenure with the Sabres saw eight playoff appearances, including a Stanley Cup Final in 1999 and consecutive Eastern Conference final appearances in 2006 and 2007. He later coached the Dallas Stars from 2013-17.
Buffalo's 13-season playoff drought ties them with the NFL's New York Jets for the longest active streak in North America's major professional sports leagues. Ruff, who spent 10 seasons as a player with the Sabres, began his coaching career as an assistant with Florida before taking over as head coach in Buffalo in 1997.
