Yesterday, it happened: The New Jersey Devils handed former Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff his walking papers, and he is back on the market. This season has not gone the Blue and Gold’s way, so understandably, there will be a contingent of fans who would rather see the organization make a coaching change. And with someone as popular with the fans as Ruff, many in that contingent would probably like to see him coaching the Blue and Gold once more.
Ruff remains popular because of how consistent the Sabres were under most of his leadership, especially in those early days when he led the team to two straight Conference Finals, the latter of which they turned into an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.
He also led Buffalo to another pair of playoff appearances in 1999-00 and 2000-01 before the team missed for three straight years. However, between the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, Ruff once again led the team to back-to-back Conference Finals, but unfortunately, the Blue and Gold fell short of winning the Prince of Wales Trophy.
Should the Sabres bring back Lindy Ruff for 2024-25 and beyond?
Current Sabres head coach Don Granato does not have Ruff’s track record, and thanks to the disappointing product on the ice this year, his seat is getting warmer. Maybe it wasn’t hot before the Devils let Ruff go, but unless Granato at least remotely leads the Sabres into contention for the final 40 days of the season, don’t be surprised if you hear a chorus of, “Fire Granato,” grow louder, as we have heard at varying points of the season.
So, if the Sabres continue on their current trajectory, should they get rid of Granato, and if so, should they bring Ruff back to Buffalo? Let’s explore two reasons why they should and two reasons why they shouldn’t.