The Buffalo Sabres announced Monday that the team has hired Lindy Ruff, the fifth-winningest coach in NHL history, as its new head coach.
Ruff, 64, returns to Buffalo ranked fifth all-time and second among active coaches with 864 career regular-season wins for the Sabres, Dallas Stars, and New Jersey Devils. His 935 combined wins in the regular season and playoffs are tied for fourth in league history.
Ruff has made the playoffs in each of his three stops as a head coach (Buffalo, Dallas, and New Jersey), including a 112-point finish with the Devils last season.
“I am thrilled to welcome Lindy back as the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said. “As I went through the hiring process, it quickly became clear Lindy was the person for the job. He has experience, a proven track record, familiarity with young players, and so 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 an added bonus. I believe wholeheartedly that Lindy can help our team reach their goals and am excited to get to work with him.”
"I am thankful to Terry, the Pegula family, and Kevyn Adams for this opportunity,” Ruff said. “This is a team ready to take the next step. I am both humbled and honored to be trusted to help this team win now. It is not a job that I take lightly. It is my goal to ensure that players believe in each other, play for each other and love being a Buffalo Sabre. 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."
