The lasting memory of Buffalo Sabres Coach Lindy Ruff from their Game 7 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers was an in-game interview with VERSUS while his team was being dominated.
Ruff was exasperated, watching an injury-depleted team get worked and wondering how the game would have turned out had the Sabres' manpower situation been different.
There have been many seasons in Ruff's reign behind the bench in which the Sabres simply haven't had the pieces on the ice in critical games, due to injury or the budgetary frugality that left the roster thin. The latter condition will change now that Terry Pegula owns the team and enthusiastically intends on spending to win. And Ruff will be his guy to lead them.
Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News reports that Ruff's contract extension, terms yetto be disclosed, will be announced today:
Ruff has been behind the bench since the 1997-98 season and is the winningest coach in team history. He has reached the Stanley Cup playoffs eight times in his 13 seasons, including four trips to the conference finals and one to the finals. He has long stated his desire to bring the first Stanley Cup to Buffalo.
Die By The Blade praised Ruff as the catalyst for the Sabres' playoff push this season:
Lindy Ruff reflected on the gratitude he felt towards his players, proclaiming that they gave him everything they had for almost four months. As modest as those comments were, the coach deserves praise because it also comes down to him getting the forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders to perform with a purpose. Players won't compete with full heart for anyone behind a bench, but Ruff believed in these men and they in turn believed in him as a coordinator.
And that's why he's been employed by the same organization for 13 years running.
And a few more, according to the Buffalo News.