For years, Lindy Ruff has spoken about buying into the system, and some fans and critics dismissed the philosophy as simple jargon. At 12-4-1 and everything going well, Ruff is still citing the philosophy.

"We've got a group of guys who've bought into the way we've gotta play," Ruff said during his weekly 8 a.m. Tuesday morning appearance on The Howard Simon Show. "That leadership group has taken a hold of the team."

When asked who his leadership group is, Ruff cited the additions of Craig Rivet, Mike Grier and Steve Montador as well as the growth of home-grown products Paul Gaustad, Jason Pominville and Derek Roy, calling Roy "new and improved." He also noted Jochen Hecht's presence, and said you'll hear Henrik Tallinder's voice inside the room, which would be a far cry from the area's summer perception of the blueliner as a defender on his last legs as a Sabre.

Buffalo has won three-straight since dropping its first back-to-back games of the young season. Ruff loved his team's response.

"I felt it was a real important week for us with the type of teams we were playing," Ruff said. "We played two physical teams. We played really well for the most part. It was a two-game series I was looking forward to, and I thought our team came out hard."

The Sabres coach also enjoyed the way his team rebounded from an embarrassing home loss to Philadelphia to top the Flyers one week later in Pennsylvania.

"The grit, the special teams, how hard we came out in Philly in a back-to-back situation... I think that's the great thing about playing a team that we had just played previously and had their way with us," Ruff said. "The loss hurts, but it's how you respond, and I thought our team responded well in Philadelphia."

For the entire conversation, including Tyler Ennis standing up to Chris Pronger and the team's recent success on face-offs, head to our Audio Vault.

http://www.wgr550.com/Ruff-cites-leaders/5694653

Ruff Cites Leaders



The parts in red I found most interesting.

The part in yellow I found to be the most disingenuous. Anne is to leadership as ETC is to diet and exercise.

I think Hecht is a solid player with a head scratching contract.

I think it was in 06-07 when hecht had this odd knack for finding and exploiting short-side holes between the goalie and the post, scoring the most impossible goals from terrible angles.

but...ain't really seen shit from him since.

Ah, '06/'07...the birth of the Wacky German Deflection Goal.

Ah, '06/'07...the birth of the Wacky German Deflection Goal.

Lol that I pointed out

Yea you named it blah blah I don't feel like honoring copyright law today

Now he's become the Panzy German Defecation Hole.

So if you ever saw Hecht walking down the street, would you lay into him?