Lindy Ruff, the fifth-winningest coach in NHL history, was hired Monday for a second stint as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres, who have not reached the playoffs in 13 seasons.
The 64-year-old Canadian, whose 12 NHL seasons as a player included a decade with the Sabres, takes over from Don Granato, who was fired last week after the Sabres’ NHL record playoff drought was extended.
Ruff ranks second among active NHL coaches and fifth overall with 864 career regular-season triumphs as a coach for the Sabres, Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils.
“This is a team ready to take the next step,” Ruff said. “I’m both humbled and honored to be trusted to help this team win now. It is not a job that I take lightly.
“It’s 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.”
Ruff first coached the Sabres from 1997 to 2013, guiding them to the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals where they lost to Dallas and seven other playoff berths before being fired 17 games into the 2012-13 season.
He went 571-432 with 78 tied and 84 overtime losses with Buffalo, then had four-year stints with Dallas and New Jersey, the latter ending with his firing last month.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Lindy back,” 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.
“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.”
Ruff, a former team captain, coached the Sabres to a club-record 53 wins and league-high 113 points in the 2006-07 season after winning NHL Coach of the Year honors in 2006.
He was also an assistant coach on Canada’s 2010 and 2014 Olympic gold medal squads.
