Lindy Ruff Aims to Break 13-Year Playoff Drought in Return as Buffalo Sabres Coach

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024

Lindy Ruff, more experienced and with a touch of grey, is making a comeback as the coach of the Sabres, with a steadfast resolve to break the team's 13-year absence from the playoffs. His connection to the Sabres runs deep, having both played for and coached the team over many years, thus making this quest very personal to him.

Ruff expressed his gratitude for the chance to lead the team once again. "I couldn't accomplish my goals during my previous tenure, but now I'm being given a second chance," he stated, echoing General Manager Kevyn Adams' sentiment that "The time is now." With both Adams and team owner Terry Pegula by his side, Ruff reminisced about the intense playoff atmospheres of past Sabres seasons.

He fondly recollected a specific playoff victory in 2001 that made the arena come alive, stating, "I want the current players to feel what that's like." Since that time, the Sabres have struggled significantly, hitting the bottom of the league standings multiple times and narrowly missing out on playoff spots in recent seasons.

Ruff's appointment is a reflection of Adams' desire for a coach with a deep NHL background. With stints as coach of the Stars, Rangers, and Devils, Ruff brings a wealth of experience, including 1,774 games and 864 wins to his name, 571 of which were with Buffalo.

Owner Terry Pegula praised Ruff's competitive nature, highlighting it as a key factor in his rehiring. Adams looked at 10 potential candidates before settling on Ruff for the job.

Ruff also mentioned that he has evolved in his coaching methods, now embracing more modern ways of communicating with his players, such as texting, and adopting a more hands-off approach to post-game critiques in the locker room. "I've improved a lot as a coach since

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