Sabres replace Ruff with Rolston, Regier says Jets loss a ‘tipping point’

Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier met with reporters on Wednesday in the wake of Lindy Ruff’s firing to announce that Ron Rolston will become the 16th head coach in franchise history.

Regier said Rolston — formerly the coach of Buffalo’s AHL affiliate in Rochester — was hired on an interim basis, but will finish out the year behind the Sabres’ bench.

Rolson, 46, coached at both the collegiate and US National Team Development Program levels prior to taking the Rochester gig in 2011.

He is the older brother of longtime NHLer Brian Rolston.

After announcing his new coach, Regier spent a large portion of the press conference discussing Ruff and the events that led to his dismissal.

According to Regier, one major event was Tuesday’s 2-1 home loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

“The prevailing factor here was where we are, where we’re going, conversations I had with Lindy, where he felt the team was,” Regier explained. “Last game, quite honestly, was a tipping point.

“[It was] quite evident to me we were searching for answers to too many questions.”

Other notes and remarks made by Regier:

– He said there were “a lot of unknowns” with the team and mentioned the struggles of Marcus Foligno, Tyler Ennis and Drew Stafford, a trio he cited as being far less productive than a year ago.

– Kevin Porter will be recalled from Rochester to replace Cody McCormick, who was placed on waivers Wednesday morning.

Porter has 44 points in 48 games for the Amerks this season and 163 games of NHL experience, most of it coming with the Colorado Avalanche.

– Regier was adamant that Ruff didn’t “lose the room” and that relieving Ruff of his duties was “very difficult, extremely difficult.”

– He also added he wasn’t worried about his job security.

“No, not right now I don’t,” Regier explained. “This is not my day, this is not about me.”