Sabres' Lindy Ruff receives 2-year contract extension

Field Level Media|published: Wed 20th May, 15:27 2026

Jan 27, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff (center) during a break in the action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres rewarded Lindy Ruff for ending the team's lengthy postseason drought on Wednesday by signing him to a two-year contract extension.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the team for Ruff, who will remain with the Sabres through the 2027-28 season.

The winningest head coach in franchise history with 657 victories, Ruff helped Buffalo halt a 14-year playoff drought by guiding the club to a first-place finish in the Atlantic Division with a 50-23-9 record in 2025-26. The Sabres dispatched the Boston Bruins in the first round before falling to the Montreal Canadiens in seven games in the second round.

Ruff, 66, is a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year. He previously won the award in 2005-06, during his first stint with the Sabres.

In 17 seasons with Buffalo, Ruff took the Sabres to the postseason nine times, including a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1999 where they lost to the Dallas Stars in six games.

Ruff owns a 950-741-169 record with 78 ties during his coaching career with the Sabres, Stars and New Jersey Devils.

--Field Level Media

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