Buffalo Sabres: Top 5 Head Coaches of all Time
By Paul Taylor
1) Lindy Ruff
Regular season: 571-432-162
Playoffs: 57-44
No doubt there will be a variety of thoughts and opinions about our choices and where they are placed. However, we can all agree that Ruff is worthy of ranking at the top of the list, no matter what your criteria is.
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You want longevity? You got it! The 56-year coached for 14 seasons in Buffalo, before being fired after 17 games in his 15th campaign.
If you’re looking for consistent success we have that as well, with Ruff making the playoffs eight times. Even on the six occasions Buffalo missed out, only once did they lose more games than they won.
Finally, in terms of actual awards, the former Sabres player won two division titles, one Presidents trophy and the Jack Adams award in 2006. In 2007, he also became the first coach in franchise history, with back-to-back 50-win seasons.
Ruff just missed out on the ultimate glory, when the Sabres fell in six games to the Dallas Stars, in his one appearance in the Stanley Cup final – the less said about the “No goal” controversy, the better. Overall though, he goes down as the best head coach in team history.
Next: 5 questions the Sabres need to answer
What’s your take on our choices? Do you agree with the rankings? Would you include anyone else in the top five? Let us know in the comments section below.