Sabres coach Lindy Ruff and general manager Darcy Regier are staying put.
Managing partner Larry Quinn said Friday that both will be back next season, calling it “absolutely the best move for our franchise” despite the Sabres missing the playoffs for a second straight year.
Quinn told The Associated Press that the decision to retain both came after management met with Ruff and Regier this past week after the Sabres completed the regular season on Saturday. Buffalo (41-32-9) was eliminated from playoff contention in the final week of the season and finished 10th in the Eastern Conference standings for a second straight year.
“We wanted to have a chance to digest the season and gauge their desire and their — how would I say it? — willingness to approach this freshly and with some innovation,” Quinn said. “And we’ve taken our process forward enough to know that these are the two guys we want to lead our hockey department next year.”
Quinn then noted that management’s job is far from over. Without going into detail, he said, “We’ve got obviously a lot more work ahead of us than just this.”
Questions about Ruff and Regier’s future were raised last weekend, when Quinn declined to say whether either would be retained.
The Sabres first announced they’re keeping Ruff and Regier in a two-sentence statement posted on their Web site, which in part read: “Ownership is very excited to have these two individuals return to help lead the organization back to the playoffs next season.”
With 438 victories in 11 seasons, Ruff is the team’s winningest coach and is signed through next year. Regier, who completed his 12th season as Sabres GM, is signed through 2011. Together, they are currently the longest-serving coach-general manager tandem in the NHL.
Ruff is preparing to travel to Switzerland, where he will coach Team Canada at the World Hockey Championships, which open next week.
Pro Sports
Related Photos
-
Lindy Ruff and Darcy Regier will be retained, the team announced Friday. David Duprey
April 18, 2009
SABRES: Ruff, Regier get reprieve
- Pro Sports
-
- Sabres' Leino staying positive, finally finding groove on wing
- Sabres' Vanek feeling better, aiming for weekend return
- Sabres throttle Bruins with Ruff watching
- Sabres goalie Miller enjoying wins milestone as play picks up
- Sabres assistant Patrick to coach if broken ribs sideline Ruff
- In bizarre scene, Sabres coach Ruff breaks three ribs in practice
- Healthy defense corps has Sabres winning again
- Sabres' Boyes hoping to avoid fifth deadline trade
- Sabres waste Miller's effort in shootout loss to Rangers
- Habs' barking doesn't bother Sabres
- More Pro Sports Headlines
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
