Better Head Coaching candidates the Detroit Red Wings should Consider

Speaking of veteran coaches, Lindy Ruff fits that mold the 59-year-old former head coach is currently an assistant coach with the New York Rangers.

He’s best remembered for his time with the Buffalo Sabres where he was the first Buffalo bench boss in franchise history to record back to back 50 win seasons, both of those years ended losing in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Ruff’s career coaching record is quite impressive having a record of 736-554-78-125. His Buffalo team anchored by the great Dominik Hasek lost in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998/99 to the Dallas Stars. Do you remember that goal? I can close my eyes and picture it, at the time the NHL had the rule that didn’t allow a player to be in the crease.

Even if said player is not interfering with the goaltender if any body part is in the blue paint the goal is to be waived off. Wouldn’t you know it would come down to game 7 in the Stanley Cup finals where legendary forward Brett Hull beat Hasek to win the Cup, and his skate was clearly in the blue, yet the goal would stand! When I think of the Buffalo Sabre led Ruff teams’ that’s the first play that comes into my mind.

Ruff who also had a solid NHL career as a defenseman primarily with the Sabres would end up coaching the franchise for 15-years. He would later be signed by the Dallas Stars (funny how that works) after being fired by the Sabres. Brian Rolston took over for Ruff but didn’t end up being the long term solution. In fact, the Sabres haven’t been able to find that stability Ruff bought for so many years, but maybe Phil Housley will fill that void moving forward for Buffalo.

Ruff played ten seasons with the Buffalo Sabres and two with the New York Rangers. Playing 691 total NHL games, he was able to score 105 times and add 195 assists totaling 300 career points. He recorded 1264 penalty minutes and 24 career playoff points.

Although Ruff never elevated the Dallas Stars during the playoffs, his tenor as head coach was very successful. In his first three seasons, he won 40,41 & 50 games respectably yet his team never made it past the second round of the playoffs. His final season the Stars won merely 34 games, and former Red Wings executive Jim Nill decided to move in another direction.

Ruff currently lives in the New York area so he might not be interested in another head coaching job at this time, but he would bring a lengthy resume to a young Detroit Red Wings roster. I think he would provide stability behind the bench, someone players wouldn’t question.

I also think Ruff has enough experience that management would not alter his decision making allowing him to play who he sees fit rather than favoring specific veteran players. I don’t see Ruff as one who would worry about hurting players feelings and would do what’s best for the team rather than the player. I think young players could develop well under his leadership and guidance.