Lindy Ruff coaching timeline: How Sabres' coach of last playoff team returned to get Buffalo back 15 years later
It's been quite the journey for Ruff and the Sabres.
Lindy Ruff coaching timeline: How Sabres' coach of last playoff team returned to get Buffalo back 15 years later originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Lindy Ruff was here the last time this happened.
The thing about it is, it's been a really long time since the Buffalo Sabres were in the playoffs. They last played a postseason game in April 2011. It's now April 2026 and they're making their return.
Ruff was the head coach of Buffalo back then, and he is now -- but it hasn't been a straight line. The now-66 Ruff took multiple detours in between, but it's fitting that he was the guy to bring Buffalo back to the postseason after all these years away. MORE: This Connor Hellebuyck trade rumor should scare the rest of the NHL Lindy Ruff coaching timeline Assistant coaching Ruff was an assistant coach of the Florida Panthers for three seasons.
That included on the staff of the 1995-96 team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals. He also would be New York Rangers assistant coach from 2017 through 2020. Buffalo Sabres (1st time) Ruff coached the Sabres from 1997 through 2013.