BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres have hired Lindy Ruff as their new head coach. The news comes just 6 days after the Sabres fired Don Granato.
Ruff previously coached the Sabres between 1997-2013, and made several playoff appearances, including a Stanley Cup final, with the team.
Most recently, Ruff was the head coach of the New Jersey Devils, but was fired from the team earlier this year.
The Sabres announced the hiring on social media Monday afternoon.
Ruff is the 5th most winning coach of all time in the NHL, with 864 regular seasons wins.
If playoff wins are included, Ruff is the 4th most winning coach in NHL history with 935 wins.
The last time the Sabres made the NHL playoffs was during the 2010-2011 season, during Ruff's first stint as head coach.
"This is a team ready to take the next step," Ruff said in a statement released by the Sabres. "I am both humbled and honored to be trusted to help this team win now. It is not a job that I take lightly. It is my goal to ensure that players believe in each other, play for each other and love being a Buffalo Sabre. There is no doubt that we all need to embrace the challenge ahead of us. The work starts today and I could not be more excited."
In a statement on the Buffalo Sabres website, GM Kevyn Adams said "“I am thrilled to welcome Lindy back as the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres.“
"As I went through the hiring process, it quickly became clear Lindy was the person for the job," Adams said. "He has experience, a proven track record, familiarity with young players, and so much more. I want to be clear though that this hire was not made with nostalgia in mind. Lindy is the right person for the job now and any history with our organization and community is simply an added bonus. I believe wholeheartedly that Lindy can help our team reach their goals and am excited to get to work with him.”