Fans React As: The Buffalo Sabres are seriously considering appointing a new head coach….
Yesterday, the New Jersey Devils fired former Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, and he is back on the market. This season has not gone well for the Blue and Gold, so it is understandable that some fans would prefer to see the organization make a coaching change. And with someone as beloved among fans as Ruff, many of them would undoubtedly prefer to see him return to coach the Blue and Gold.
Ruff remains popular due of the Sabres’ consistency under his leadership, particularly in the early days when he guided the team to two consecutive Conference Finals, the latter of which resulted in an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.
He also guided Buffalo to two more playoff berths in 1999-00 and 2000-01, before the team went three years without making the postseason. However, between the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, Ruff led the club to back-to-back Conference Finals, but the Blue and Gold failed to capture the Prince of Wales Trophy.
Should the Sabres bring back Lindy Ruff for 2024-25 and beyond?
Don Granato, the current Sabres head coach, does not have Ruff’s track record, and his seat is warming as a result of this year’s dismal performance on the ice. Maybe it wasn’t heated before the Devils let Ruff go, but unless Granato leads the Sabres into contention for the next 40 days of the season, don’t be shocked if a chant of, “Fire Granato,” grows louder, as we have heard at various moments this season.
So, if the Sabres continue on their current path, should they release Granato and, if so, bring Ruff back to Buffalo? Let’s look at why they should and why they shouldn’t.