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Sabres owner Pegula says Ruff ‘can consider me a friend always’

Terry Pegula

Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula speaks during a news conference announcing the new ownership of the NHL hockey team in Buffalo, N.Y., Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

AP

Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula has issued a statement in the wake of his club firing longtime head coach Lindy Ruff.

From the team website:

The hockey world knows how I and the entire Buffalo Sabres organization feel about Lindy Ruff not only as a coach but also as a person. His long tenure with the Sabres has ended.

His qualities have made this decision very difficult.

I personally want Lindy to know that he can consider me a friend always.

Pegula purchased the Sabres in Feb. 2011 and, in his introductory presser, offered up this infamous line:

“Lindy and I have talked, pardon my French, but Lindy ain’t going nowhere.”

How times change.

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