Kevin Freiheit: Ruff Running Out of Time?

Kevin Freiheit: Ruff Running Out of Time?
- KevinJames

We will be lucky to get 4pts the rest of the month

Only so much a coach can do with a team that lacks the heart and desire to play. When one of your CORE players comes out and essentially says it is too tough to play under high expectations, what do you expect the coach to do.

Only reason I get rid of Lindy is so that he can go win a Cup somewhere else with a team of players that actually plays with heart every night.

Kevin Freiheit: Ruff Running Out of Time?
- KevinJames

Ruff has a 7-year extension and a boatload of excuses courtesy of the medical staff.

Also, there really aren't any candidates to replace him with that inspire much confidence for a turnaround.

The system sucks, however. Dare I say it, we need a Mike Keenan in here (not actually Mike Keenan PLEASE) but someone who will cajole, embarrass, punish and piss off these spoiled brats out of their complacency. Keenan became the villain to his team, and they rallied for each other against him.

That or we need a Jacques Lemaire who will just (modified) trap other teams into oblivion.

Kevin Freiheit: Ruff Running Out of Time?
- KevinJames

What you believe and what is realy are two different things. Who is out there that will coach this group of stiffs to a bettter record. With all the injuries and lack of depth in the organization right now (you can't count these first year players in Rochester as depth yet) it is remarable we are at .500. they wil not make the playoffs, but reiger must go not Ruff. if a new GM comes on board and whats his own coac, that is a different story. internal moves for an interium coach is dumb. look at the teams that fired their coachs this year. Only St. Louis got better. all others are still losing.

Ruff has a 7-year extension and a boatload of excuses courtesy of the medical staff.

Also, there really aren't any candidates to replace him with that inspire much confidence for a turnaround.

The system sucks, however. Dare I say it, we need a Mike Keenan in here (not actually Mike Keenan PLEASE) but someone who will cajole, embarrass, punish and piss off these spoiled brats out of their complacency. Keenan became the villain to his team, and they rallied for each other against him.

That or we need a Jacques Lemaire who will just (modified) trap other teams into oblivion.
- nfph

Where did you get the 7 yr extension???

Where did you get the 7 yr extension???
- JoeSabre

Hockey Hotstove or some other charming Northern Neighbor blatherfest was discussing it yesterday during intermission.

My biggest problem with Ruff right now is determining why he has Ellis and McCormick on the ice with 5 minutes left down by 2.

But I then go back and ask myself who else he is gonna have on that ice since the alternatives may have the skill but lack the desire.

For the people who voted for injured players to return. Who is injured that is going to make a impact this year to give us that push that has not already played a bunch of games for us?? The answere is no one. The sabres need to make some seriouse changes to the players on top of darcy regeir getting fired.

My biggest problem with Ruff right now is determining why he has Ellis and McCormick on the ice with 5 minutes left down by 2.

But I then go back and ask myself who else he is gonna have on that ice since the alternatives may have the skill but lack the desire.
- GoinFiveHole

Cause if you notice those are the only two guys who won't do a 180 and back of the zone in fear of a hit or hard work!!

Hockey Hotstove or some other charming Northern Neighbor blatherfest was discussing it yesterday during intermission.
- nfph

Heard the same thing on the drive in this morning.

Heard the same thing on the drive in this morning.
- Canada Cup

Not that it matters in the long run. He'd be unemployed for 4 months tops if let go.

Loyalty only goes so far in this business, or it should anyway.

Nothing wrong with Ruff as a coach, in fact he's a terrific coach! If you ask me it's the GM that needs to go! Too much money available to the team too soon and they "bought" the wrong players.

What you believe and what is realy are two different things. Who is out there that will coach this group of stiffs to a bettter record. With all the injuries and lack of depth in the organization right now (you can't count these first year players in Rochester as depth yet) it is remarable we are at .500. they wil not make the playoffs, but reiger must go not Ruff. if a new GM comes on board and whats his own coac, that is a different story. internal moves for an interium coach is dumb. look at the teams that fired their coachs this year. Only St. Louis got better. all others are still losing.
- JoeSabre

So we keep the status quo and continue to never win anything because we have a coach who hasn't in 14 years, and it's OBVIOUS he's on the verge of leading this pack to greatness?

Nothing wrong with Ruff as a coach, in fact he's a terrific coach! If you ask me it's the GM that needs to go! Too much money available to the team too soon and they "bought" the wrong players.
- Bullot

True, but Lindy is not above criticism here. The level of uninspired play should be completely unacceptable, and it's becoming clear we don't have the personnel to play this constant transition up-tempo game Ruff tries to force on the team.

I would like nothing better than for Lindy to coach this team to a cup, but if truly "the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence is to win the Stanley Cup," then there are no sacred cows.

So we keep the status quo and continue to never win anything because we have a coach who hasn't in 14 years, and it's OBVIOUS he's on the verge of leading this pack to greatness?
- stashu

Status quo would mean keeping everything the same, not just the coach.

Do changes need to be made...duh, obviously. But keeping the coach does not necessarily mean status quo.

As I recall, this same coach was able to field a team with Briere and Drury on it that made it to the Conference Finals. I also recall this coach fielding a team that won the President's Trophy for most points in a season.

So I think the coach is capable of winning something.

Shake em up, Lindy:

Gerbe-Adam-Vanek
Leino-Hecht-Pominville
scrub-Boyes-Stafford
scrub-scrub-scrub

I would love to see Gerbe play with Vanek, and put Adam back into a producing line. Spread out the scoring by keeping Pominville with Hecht and add Leino for some added puck control.

Status quo would mean keeping everything the same, not just the coach.

Do changes need to be made...duh, obviously. But keeping the coach does not necessarily mean status quo.

As I recall, this same coach was able to field a team with Briere and Drury on it that made it to the Conference Finals. I also recall this coach fielding a team that won the President's Trophy for most points in a season.

So I think the coach is capable of winning something.
- GoinFiveHole

I'm not happy with him earning trophies other than one with tiers and a big bowl on top, thank you very much.

Ruff GM and bring in a new voice, can't see them sending Ruff packing.

Your blaming your poor record on Lindy?


You've had alot of injuries and your depth players are underperforming. How is that Lindy's fault?

Plus Tyler Ennis has been injured pretty much the whole season, he's a big part of your team. Scores timely goals.

Maybe your team will do the stupid thing and fire Lindy after you lose to the Leafs on Friday. Most coaches get fired after losing to us

not all Ruffs fault, he didnt assemble the roster , but yes he deserves some blame

Your blaming your poor record on Lindy?


You've had alot of injuries and your depth players are underperforming. How is that Lindy's fault?

Plus Tyler Ennis has been injured pretty much the whole season, he's a big part of your team. Scores timely goals.

Maybe your team will do the stupid thing and fire Lindy after you lose to the Leafs on Friday. Most coaches get fired after losing to us
- t_leafs21

good teams have the player depth to overcome injuries,unless they are crippling injuries to star players like Pittsburgh

Your blaming your poor record on Lindy?


You've had alot of injuries and your depth players are underperforming. How is that Lindy's fault?

Plus Tyler Ennis has been injured pretty much the whole season, he's a big part of your team. Scores timely goals.

Maybe your team will do the stupid thing and fire Lindy after you lose to the Leafs on Friday. Most coaches get fired after losing to us
- t_leafs21

We don't know who to blame but i'm sure 500 Leaf fans will continue to post and tell us.

not all Ruffs fault, he didnt assemble the roster , but yes he deserves some blame
- wingz4life

Precisely. And pragmatically speaking, it's easier to move one guy than the 10 or so Sabres fans are clamoring for.

Hey, if they want to boot Darcy, move Ruff up and get a new coach, fine.