A portion of Jim Kelley's recent article for Si.com.......

Ruff road ahead?
Interesting scenario in Buffalo where head coach Lindy Ruff is believed to be playing out the last year of his contract. If the Sabres, locked into a playoff slot and still able to finish as high as second in the Eastern Conference, go out in the first round, Ruff might take a fair share of the heat. At the same time, the NHL's longest-serving coach to one team might be willing to try his talents elsewhere. Buffalo has long been a franchise that does just enough to sell hope to a fan base that hasn't seen a Stanley Cup since the team's inception some 40 years ago.

Buffalo is said to have an option for next season, but if Ruff really wants to go, it will be difficult to hold him to it. Whichever way it plays out, he isn't likely to be worried. He's a career coach with a stellar reputation in the NHL and he just added a gold medal to his legacy as an assistant on Canada's Olympic hockey team. Coaching likely is still in his future, but a team that might someday open the door to the general manager's office may well attract his eye, be it in Buffalo or elsewhere.



Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/w ... z0jxDLmTaQ
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"I can't really hear what Jeremy says, because I got my two Stanley Cup Rings plugging my ears...." -Patrick Roy in reference to Jeremy Roenick's trash talking

It was "black" Sunday when Briere and Drury both left. It hurt, but it was alright. It sucked when Stu Barnes got traded for Mike Ryan. It sucked when Brian Campbell got traded. But the day, Lindy Ruff is named to become another teams head coach, will be a true sad and dark day in Sabres history.

If Ruff or the Sabres organization think it's better to separate, then i will wish him all the best of luck. However, the show must go on.

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Impossible Is Nothing.

Kevin Dineen might be an easy and cheap option (which are the prerequisites for the job after all) that is actually a good coach and be a legit replacement.

I really hope he doesn't leave.

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Check out Fast Super Cars, Car Tuning, and WNY Sports

Twitter - @Ryan911T - @MotoExposure

Yeah, i'd imagine i'd be a dog fight between Dineen and James Patrick.

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Impossible Is Nothing.

Lindy's not leaving folks.

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Wheelhouse

I think, given the influx of new talent, if Ruff can't win a cup by 11/12, then it's time for him to go.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Ya with as good of a year we are having this year... I dont expect Ruff to leave. Now, I see us extending his contract for the next 4-5 years after that point if we dont have a cup then its time to let him go. That gives us till the end of Millers contract, and Pommers, and Roy, Vanek, and we will see how that goes after that point.

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LETS GO BUFFALO!

I wouldn't say if Lindy can't win a cup by 11/12. I would put it in the front offices hands. If we didn't have Ruff, we wouldn't be such a great team with this non-playoff roster.

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"Ah...composite sticks...you can't beat 'em...unless you have a wooden one..."-Harry Neale

In Pegula We We Trust!

Fixed

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

I'd prefer Kevin Dineen to James Patrick, but I digress...

Lindy Ruff will have a fine roster of young players not yet ready and his current youngins in veteran position over the next couple of years. Like Alex said, if he does not lead the team to a Cup in '11/'12, then it's time.

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mechaphil

I thought by Alex (that's my name too), you were talking about me...but then I seen CV posted above me. That kind of freaked me out lol.

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"Ah...composite sticks...you can't beat 'em...unless you have a wooden one..."-Harry Neale

In Pegula We We Trust!

true, true. But with any other coach, the forwards would not buy into the defense first approach. We are really great defensive team this year, and that's on Ruff.

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"Ah...composite sticks...you can't beat 'em...unless you have a wooden one..."-Harry Neale

In Pegula We We Trust!

Fixed and with the right name

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

Ted Nolan got the fucking islanders into the playoffs...

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Ted Nolan was a great coach. Why he hasn't been given any more NHL jobs is beyond me.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

Cuz he has a reputation as an amazing pain in the ass.

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mechaphil

Don't kill the messenger, but i once heard Nolan slept with Hasek's wife....

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Impossible Is Nothing.

Can't see Lindy leaving...

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

He's gotta leave sometime. He's been here a while, and the day's coming when he'll leave.