The venerable head coach returns for another couple of years
Just a couple of days after their heartbreaking exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Buffalo Sabres announced that head coach Lindy Ruff has signed a two year contract extension that will see him stay in Buffalo through the 2027-28 season.
The 66-year-old has called Buffalo home since 1979, when he joined the franchise as a second-round draft pick. He spent a decade with the Sabres as a hard-nosed, two-way player – including a stint as captain – and returned as coach in 1997-98. He began his second stint as Sabres coach prior to the 2024-25 season, and has served the franchise in five different decades of its existence.
Captain Rasmus Dahlin on Lindy Ruff – “He is so good at pushing us. That’s the main thing. There’s no time for effing around, you have to be uncomfortable every day. I think that’s what really helped us as a group. We took care of the other stuff, but he made sure he pushed us every day, and I think that brought us a lot of success for sure.”
Peyton Krebs on the head coach’s influence – “Obviously, Lindy’s been a big part of where I am today, for sure. He allows me just to work my brains out, and I’ll get rewarded. I think that’s the biggest message (when) I come to work every day: ‘Krebsy, do your thing, then you’re gonna get rewarded.’ I just try to have that mindset that, no matter where I’m at, as long as I work hard, good things will happen.”