The Buffalo Sabres are keeping Lindy Ruff behind the bench for the foreseeable future after agreeing to a two-year contract extension announced Wednesday. The new deal keeps Ruff with the organization through the 2027-28 NHL season after his previous contract had been set to expire this summer.
Ruff guided Buffalo to one of the franchise’s most memorable seasons in recent years, helping the Sabres end a 14-year playoff drought and capture the Atlantic Division title. Buffalo also earned a first-round postseason victory over the Boston Bruins before its playoff run came to an end against the Montreal Canadiens.
The veteran coach’s impact did not go unnoticed around the league. Ruff received a nomination for the Jack Adams Award, presented annually to the NHL’s top coach. It marked yet another milestone in a coaching career that has already secured his place among the league’s most accomplished bench bosses.
Ruff remains the winningest coach in Sabres history after originally leading the club from 1997 to 2013. He returned to Buffalo last season following head coaching stops with the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils. Remarkably, he has now been named a Jack Adams finalist with all three organizations during his NHL coaching career.
The 66-year-old captured the Jack Adams Award during the 2005-06 season with Buffalo and currently sits fourth on the NHL’s all-time coaching wins list with 950 career victories.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].