AP It’s the end of an era in Buffalo. The Sabres announced Wednesday that head coach Lindy Ruff has been fired.
Ruff, 53, had been the Sabres’ head coach since July 21, 1997, and was the longest-serving coach in the NHL. Four times he took Buffalo to the conference finals, advancing to the Stanley Cup finals in 1999 where the Sabres fell to the Dallas Stars in six games.
In 2006, Ruff won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach.
But the Sabres are off to a disappointing 6-10-1 start this season, Ruff’s 15th as Buffalo’s bench boss. Last night, they were booed off the ice at the First Niagara Center after losing, 2-1, to Winnipeg.
All the while, pressure was mounting on general manager Darcy Regier to make significant changes.
Buffalo’s current struggles come after the team missed the playoffs in 2011-12 despite one of the highest payrolls in the NHL.
Related: Looking back at Ruff’s time in Buffalo
No confirmations yet but hearing Ron Rolston (coaching Rochester in AHL) as possible and perhaps likely replacement in BUF.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 20, 2013
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John Tortorella would be proud.
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The Penguins “have too much depth.”
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Ottawa’s strong first period was wasted.
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He’s been reaching out to agents and players.
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Mike Halford and Jason Brough tackle that question.
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He also wants to express his gratitude to the Vancouver Canucks.
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Beau Bennett and Jussi Jokinen have been inserted into the lineup.
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Two swift playoff exits sunk the Canucks’ coach.
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His career has gone downhill since being part of the Hodgson trade.
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Vancouver’s Alain Vigneault joins the fray.
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“As long as they keep winning here, that just gives me a better chance for a return with every win.”
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“Will we look at them? Absolutely.”
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Pittsburgh’s power play is just 1-for-12 in its past two games.
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Vancouver cleans house.
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Decent goaltending depth in Anaheim at the moment.
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Click to read two good reasons.
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This should make the Keith Ballard buyout easier to stomach.
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Question for commenters: What, if anything, needs to be done about the officiating?
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Go have your say.
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He’s expected to be a top-5 pick at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
