Sabres could benefit from mimicking recent Bills' moves
The Sabres are playing disappointing hockey this season, and the need for a head coaching change is evident.
Lindy Ruff's coaching style has grown stale, and his team doesn't respond to him anymore. The Sabres seem to lack focus and could be the worst defensive team in the NHL, as they have allowed the most goals in the league this season.
Because of this, they sit in the basement of the Northeast Division. The numbers don't lie, and Ruff is behind in everything that's blue and gold.
Ruff has been behind the bench for Buffalo since 1997, which makes him the longest tenured coach in the NHL. This era of sports sees coaches lose their jobs regularly when certain standards are not met. If Ruff was coaching in a larger market, he likely would have been fired years ago.
NHL coaches have an especially short shelf life. There have been 170 coaching changes in the league since Ruff took over in 1997.
Good coaches lose their jobs all the time, and Ruff has been a good coach during his 15 years behind the Buffalo bench; however, it's hard to stand behind Ruff when the Sabres have not won a playoff series since 2007. But this is Buffalo, so Ruff survives.
The Sabres need to take a page out of the Bills' book and move on from the past, like their football counterparts did by firing Chan Gailey this offseason.
Ruff's situation is very similar to that of NFL coach Andy Reid. Reid was in Philadelphia for 14 seasons, making him the NFL's longest tenured coach, but his team continued to disappoint and grow apart from Reid's coaching philosophy.
The Eagles' brass knew a change was needed, so they fired Reid after this past season.
Time to follow suit. Are you listening, Mr. Pegula?
Ruff has mishandled his backup goalie situation for years and overplayed goalie Ryan Miller. The power play lacks imagination and is easily defended by other teams.
Ruff has also mismanaged his young, skilled offensive players over the years. Drew Stafford, Maxim Afinogenov, Tyler Ennis, Luke Adam, Derek Roy and Clarke MacArthur are examples that come to mind of players who have failed to live up to their offensive potential. One can only wonder what will happen with the career of young Mikhail Grigorenko if Ruff remains the head coach.
And now, Ruff is not getting enough out of Tyler Myers, a prized organizational asset. Myers has been a healthy scratch for two games this season. Who would ever have thought that Myers would be benched in favor of Mike Weber?
There is also Thomas Vanek, who is playing like an MVP, yet Ruff has given him less ice-time than 42 other NHL forwards.
The Sabres need to fire Ruff to bring in some fresh energy. A new coach will make the changes and adjustments that this team has longed for.
Buffalo has missed the playoffs three of the last five years. That makes it unfortunate that owner Terry Pegula will defend Ruff or General Manager Darcy Regier if the Sabres continue to disappoint this season.
Regier tried to help Ruff this past offseason by trading Derek Roy to Dallas, who turned on Ruff's coaching style last season. When players start complaining about the coaching style, the front office needs to take notice of the situation and act on it.
Ruff has become too comfortable in Buffalo, and the Sabres are showing it on the ice. Most great coaches thrive on winning in different locations and it's time to see Ruff go to another city.
Ruff has passed his expiration date with the Sabres. Firing him now seems like the most logical decision and will keep his legacy intact.
Bill Schutt can be reached by email at Schutt.record@live.com.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent The Record News Articles
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE RECORD NEWS
- We've Moved to www.buffstaterecord.com!
- Obama divulges new higher education initiative during visit to UB
- Ailing Podolefsky steps down as president
- SUNY appoints Cohen interim president
- President Podolefsky announces leave to fight cancer
- Rappers put Pepsi in a bind
- Congrats to grads: take next step with gratitude
RECENT THE RECORD CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
- 7 Reasons Renting an RV Should Be On Every Family’s S...
- Don’t Let Diabetes Shortchange Your Golden Years
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK