Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) -- The longest running General Manager and coach in professional sports are back for another season. I have confirmed that Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff will both be back next season. The two men met this morning with Larry Quinn and Dan DiPofi.
They started in 1997 and have been to four Eastern Conference Finals, but have also missed the playoffs two straight years and five of the last seven seasons. The last statement isn't as fair because the club had no owner and was going through bankruptcy for two of those seasons.
Ruff's coaching record is 438-334-78-52. In the playoffs it's 52-36. He's been NHL coach of the year and will now lead Canada in the World Championships and likely be an assistant for the Canadian Olympic team.
This season he missed the playoffs by two points or one win. As I travel around the NHL cities in every single place I go, he's held in the highest regard. My sources say Edmonton was hoping he'd leave Buffalo so they could hire him. He of course must take some heat for this year's team, but he's been stuck with some underachieving players that don't win championships for him or any other coach. The argument that other teams fire coaches to me is silly. Who cares what other teams do. If he gets some better players that can play in the clutch and he fails with them, I'll be the first one there to say fire him.
With this done I would expect players like Jochen Hecht, Henrik Tallinder and Clarke MacArthur to become former Sabres. I also think Derek Roy is not untouchable and could be had if a team is willing to part with the right players.
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