Buffalo Sabres GM Darcey Regier announced this afternoon that head coach Lindy Ruff has been relieved of his duties.
Ruff was hired by the Sabres as their 15th head coach in July of 1997. In 2006, he won his 300th game as an NHL head coach, as well as the Jack Adams Award for coach of the year.
On January 6th, 2011, Ruff became the 16th coach in NHL history to win 500 games. He was only the 2nd coach to do it with the same team.
He coached a total of 1,165 games for the Sabres, leading them to a 571-432-78-84 (W-L-T-OL) record. Ruff won a Stanley Cup in 1998-99 and took them to the conference finals three times.
Here are a collection of tweets from member of the media regarding Ruff and his firing.
Honestly I always thought Darcy Regier and LIndy Ruff were a package deal. But something obviously needed fixing in Buffalo.
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) February 20, 2013
Lindy Ruff was hired as Sabres coach on July 21, 1997. He held the job for 5,693 days, or 79.069 Kim Kardashian marriages.
— Adam Proteau (@Proteautype) February 20, 2013
It may have taken more than 15 years for Lindy Ruff but sooner or later a pro coach has to go, simply because the players stop listening.
— David Shoalts (@dshoalts) February 20, 2013
Lindy Ruff immediately becomes No. 1 coaching candidate for the next NHL vacancy.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) February 20, 2013
Ruff deserved to be fired. Message lost. Will find job very soon. His time was up and recent team play were reason. It should have been
— Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) February 20, 2013
One of the best coaches in the NHL is now available. Lindy Ruff. Great friendand a great person. Any GM considering a change fiil your boots
— Doug Maclean (@DougMaclean) February 20, 2013
The Penguins had six coaches (Constantine, Brooks, Hlinka, Kehoe, Olczyk, Therrien and Bylmsa) during Ruff’s tenure in Buffalo.
— Seth Rorabaugh (@emptynetters) February 20, 2013
The Penguins had six coaches (Constantine, Brooks, Hlinka, Kehoe, Olczyk, Therrien and Bylmsa) during Ruff’s tenure in Buffalo.
— Seth Rorabaugh (@emptynetters) February 20, 2013
170 head coaching changes during Ruff’s tenure. Ran practice today and talked to media, too. Will have lots of interest.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 20, 2013
