Lindy Ruff is in contention for the Jack Adams Award, awarded annually to the NHL coach “adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success.” The Sabres coach is one of three candidates for the NHL’s coach of the year award. The winner is decided by a poll of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association.
Ruff is joined by Pittsburgh’s Dan Muse and Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper as finalists. This marks Ruff’s fifth time as a finalist, having previously been nominated in 2005-06, 2006-07, 2015-16, and 2022-23.
Ending the Playoff Drought
Ruff guided the Sabres to their first playoff berth since 2011. This ended the longest drought in the four major men’s professional sports leagues. Not only did the Sabres make the playoffs, but they also captured the Atlantic Division title with 109 points. This was the fifth-highest total in franchise history. The Sabres won 50 games, third in franchise history behind two Ruff-coached teams (2006-07 and 2005-06).
Buffalo achieved this success despite playing in the NHL’s toughest division. The division sent five teams to the playoffs and featured six teams with 90-plus points.
A Remarkable Turnaround
The Sabres’ impressive run was sparked by a significant turnaround that began on Dec. 9. On that day, they were in last place in the Eastern Conference. A victory in Edmonton that night started a 10-game winning streak. From that point on, the Sabres recorded the most wins (39) and the highest points percentage (.783) in the NHL.
Leadership and Support
Members of the Sabres’ leadership group have credited Ruff with setting the tone during their successful run with a firm but steady voice. Alternate captain Mattias Samuelsson noted Ruff’s ability to hold players accountable while providing support.
“He’ll come in and tell you he’s gonna share the morning coffee and then let a couple guys hear it,” Samuelsson said. “It’s not like he’s personally going after guys, but he definitely puts the group on notice about the standard around here.
“I think he’s been great this year just with feeling what the group needs that day, whether it’s a kick in the ass or just some support.”
Captain Rasmus Dahlin echoed this sentiment: “When it’s time, he turns it on, and there’s no f-ing around. You really have to bring it, otherwise you have to hear it, and that’s what I love. There’s no days off with him as coach, that’s for sure.”
Dahlin also praised Ruff’s personal support. When Dahlin took a leave of absence in December to be with his fiancée while she recovered from a heart transplant, Ruff made sure the captain knew his family came first.
“It’s hard to explain, but he’s such a good man,” Dahlin said. “He’s good with the personal stuff, too. He really cares about his players.”
Previous Jack Adams Wins
Ruff previously won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the Sabres in 2005-06. Only seven coaches have won the Jack Adams Award multiple times since it was introduced in 1973-74: Scotty Bowman, Pat Quinn, Jacques Demers, Pat Burns, Jacques Lemaire, John Tortorella, and Barry Trotz.
The Sabres’ brand of hockey is a testament to Ruff’s versatility. This was one of the defining traits of his first stint with the organisation.