Lindy Ruff Press Conference (10:30am) [Link to audio]

[brian_griffin]

As I posted in another thread, it's like the day after you put down your aging dog. Part of you didn't want to do it, but you knew you had to, and it was for the best.

The presser was as if the dog could speak, from the grave.

 

[Newcastlesabre]

Lindy back in!

 

[Duddy]

As I posted in another thread, it's like the day after you put down your aging dog. Part of you didn't want to do it, but you knew you had to, and it was for the best.

The presser was as if the dog could speak, from the grave.

Yup, and he keeps telling you that you did the right thing and that you were the greatest owner a dog could've ever had.

 

[kcoxsabresfan]

Yup, and he keeps telling you that you did the right thing and that you were the greatest owner a dog could've ever had.

Yeah, that was tough to listen to.

 

[ceky]

oh, come on!... is there a baby in that room that starts to cry at ~45% into the audio feed (sorry,no timepoint with this strangle little player)?

..... right after "they try to support each other, push each other" and before he mentions poms, miller and vanek

 

[crispy60]

I appreciate Lindy's heartfelt words.

If his players actually played like he just got done passionately talking about his time here in Buffalo, he would still be behind the bench.

Unfortunately, I don't know why, but this team has taken on an identity of coasting mentality out on the ice. They all mostly play in spurts of seeming like they want to win games and seeming like they're looking for early exits out of the playoffs to hit the local golf links around Buffalo.

Why is it that players like Stafford and Foligno seemed so hungry when they were down in the AHL and played with chips on their shoulders. Once they were brought up to play, they have played ho-hum hockey.

Why is it that a man as physically imposing as Tyler Myers can't translate that size to his advantage out on the ice? He's another player that looked so promising as a rookie and now has regressed as he's played more. Was the Lucic incident a breaking point for him? He was on the ice during that gutless non response as the Sabre players all basically stood around and let Lucic run his trap without reprisal. Is Tyler Myers really that empty shelled that he couldn't have at least put up his long reached arms and made a half hearted attempt at standing up for his net minder.

Herein lies the problems with this organization right now. Hockey is played with heart and passion. Can anyone on here say they've witnessed that on this team on a regular basis?

 

[Sabres Fan UK]

As much as it needed to be done it was always going to be emotional. I hope he finds success with another team (as long as it's not at the expense of the Sabres).
Classy way to go.

 

[Sabres Fan UK]

I appreciate Lindy's heartfelt words.

If his players actually played like he just got done passionately talking about his time here in Buffalo, he would still be behind the bench.

Unfortunately, I don't know why, but this team has taken on an identity of coasting mentality out on the ice. They all mostly play in spurts of seeming like they want to win games and seeming like they're looking for early exits out of the playoffs to hit the local golf links around Buffalo.

Why is it that players like Stafford and Foligno seemed so hungry when they were down in the AHL and played with chips on their shoulders. Once they were brought up to play, they have played ho-hum hockey.

Why is it that a man as physically imposing as Tyler Myers can't translate that size to his advantage out on the ice? He's another player that looked so promising as a rookie and now has regressed as he's played more. Was the Lucic incident a breaking point for him? He was on the ice during that gutless non response as the Sabre players all basically stood around and let Lucic run his trap without reprisal. Is Tyler Myers really that empty shelled that he couldn't have at least put up his long reached arms and made a half hearted attempt at standing up for his net minder.

Herein lies the problems with this organization right now. Hockey is played with heart and passion. Can anyone on here say they've witnessed that on this team on a regular basis?

In regards to the bolded; i think the phsyical play will come in time. Chara wasn't a force physically instantly upon entering the league. He needs to grow into his frame no matter how cliche it sounds. However, he does need to step up in the other areas in the meantime, particularly the ones in which he excelled so much in as a rookie (Whether that comes from a Tallinder esque D partner or him getting his head out his ass, maybe both?, i don't know.). He may never get a mean streak, but it may come with confidence and maturity.

Sorry for going a bit off-topic.

 

[ceky]

.... Can anyone on here say they've witnessed that on this team on a regular basis?

no , i can not.... and i think your point is absolutely valid. i'm just not so sure that other teams played with that "heart and passion" more times than the sabres did. i'm really not sure, cause i look at sabres games differently as a fan, and i suspect that you get a bias against your team that way.
in other words, for me other games can be boooring as well, i just seldom watch them during the regular season. playoffs is a different thing alltogether. maybe this is one reason i find sabres games less "passionate" on average, i compare them to mainly postseason games

there were times the sabres looked real good, mostly when they were doing well. to make it short, i think they primarily lacked quality players, the system and coaching maybe wasn't perfect but i think not the main reason.


(btw my english gets real clumsy late in the evening, sorry)

 

[crispy60]

What passes for playing defense in the NHL nowadays?

I have watched the Sabre's play since the inception of the hockey team.

I can say without a doubt that old school players like Shoenfeld or Korab wouldn't have stood around out on the ice and let their goalie get ran like Miller was by Lucic and stand around just looking at the player who did it.

My point is that Myers and other players on the this team play soft. There is no way this team will get into the playoffs or advance in them with that style of play. I have watched game after game when other teams players are allowed to cruise in front of the net almost untouched to pot goals.

Watch what other teams do whenever our players get in front of their net minders. They used to call it "clearing out the trash" and that's part of the reason why the power play is so anemic and weak. It's like watching the same old bad movie over and over again. Pucks passed around the perimeter and shots taken from bad angles when Buffalo is on a power play. Shots taken from prime real estate when other teams are on their power play because they know they aren't physically challenged.

 

[Newcastlesabre]

I think it says alot about Lindy even doing the press conference, and whatevers happened recently hes always gonna be a Sabre. That doesnt detract from the fact the right decision has been made and we move on as an organisation...Lindy has left with the class and dignity you would expect of the man.

On a side note, hello Sabres Fan Uk, not only a fellow english Sabres fan, but from Newcastle too! respect!

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

I think it says alot about Lindy even doing the press conference, and whatevers happened recently hes always gonna be a Sabre. That doesnt detract from the fact the right decision has been made and we move on as an organisation...Lindy has left with the class and dignity you would expect of the man.

Well said. I didn't like him as a coach but as a person he was a good guy, he just got too redundant and lost his passion. I will never forget him saying two of the best and most passionate words I have ever heard... "NO GOAL".

Thanks Lindy for the memories (good and bad). In the future I wouldn't mind him being the President of the team as long as he didn't interfere with the acquisition of players.

 

[Sabres Fan UK]

I think it says alot about Lindy even doing the press conference, and whatevers happened recently hes always gonna be a Sabre. That doesnt detract from the fact the right decision has been made and we move on as an organisation...Lindy has left with the class and dignity you would expect of the man.

On a side note, hello Sabres Fan Uk, not only a fellow english Sabres fan, but from Newcastle too! respect!

i thought the exact same thing, what are the chances haha.

 

[Newcastlesabre]

i thought the exact same thing, what are the chances haha.

Yeah the pain of the Sabres/NUFC combination is alot to take haha!

I think a role for Lindy in the organisation would be appropriate, and no Sabres fan would begrudge him it.

 

[Clock]

I think a role for Lindy in the organisation would be appropriate, and no Sabres fan would begrudge him it.

Oh, I can think of a few who might. Heh.

In all seriousness - I love Lindy for being a Buffalo icon and for delivering some really awesome memories. But if he's brought back into the organization, it needs to be for the betterment of the team, not something born mostly of sentimentality. EYE ON THE GOAL.

 

[Newcastlesabre]

Oh, I can think of a few who might. Heh.

In all seriousness - I love Lindy for being a Buffalo icon and for delivering some really awesome memories. But if he's brought back into the organization, it needs to be for the betterment of the team, not something born mostly of sentimentality. EYE ON THE GOAL.

very fair point, no room for sentimentality, which is one reason why Lindy lasted so long anyway. It is tough though when losing someone who has been around for so long....imagine how he feels.

 

[Newcastlesabre]

and does anyone have any idea what that role could be?

 

[hadareud]

What a classy, classy man.

 

[Myllz]

and does anyone have any idea what that role could be?

If they wanted to bring him back, they could just make him a senior advisor. It'll be up to Ruff, though. He might not want a position like that and would rather continue coaching. If that's the case, he probably won't have much of a problem finding a spot somewhere this off-season.

 

[vcv]

Yeah the pain of the Sabres/NUFC combination is alot to take haha!

I think a role for Lindy in the organisation would be appropriate, and no Sabres fan would begrudge him it.

I think he was pretty adamant in the PC about wanting to continue to COACH.

 

[Newcastlesabre]

Lindy could surely be useful to young players....great role model/icon to learn from.

 

[SabreBlood]

Nothing but class, that man. It was very hard to watch that live, and I've been wanting him to be fired for years. It's had to happen for too long. I was literally ecstatic when I heard on WGR that it had just happend. Even called a few people to give them the great news.

But watching that made me remember that all that man has ever wanted to do was just to bring guys like me the Stanley Cup. He absolutely bled blue and gold. It just never happend the way he envisioned it would, and it was very tough to watch such a fierce competitor resigned to the fact that he couldn't, and now wouldn't, do it. That was the hardest thing about it. A fierce competitor that was just as engrained in this area and community as any other Buffalonian. He truly loves being a Buffalonian.

It really never should have gone on for so long. Firing him in them middle of this shortened season was very strange timing.

I just wish it could have ended differently. Thanks for the hard work, Lindy. You'll always be one of us.

 

[MayDay]

Seems pretty clear to me that Lindy wants to continue to coach (it's in his blood), and he wouldn't be happy now in an advisory role, nor would that necessarily be good for the Sabres trying to make a fresh start and move in a new direction.

I'm quite certain that Lindy Ruff will be coaching another NHL team by puck drop on Opening Day of next season. And I have no problems with that. I wish him and his next team all the success in the world (except when he plays against the Sabres).

 

[Royisgone]

Seems pretty clear to me that Lindy wants to continue to coach (it's in his blood), and he wouldn't be happy now in an advisory role, nor would that necessarily be good for the Sabres trying to make a fresh start and move in a new direction.

I'm quite certain that Lindy Ruff will be coaching another NHL team by puck drop on Opening Day of next season. And I have no problems with that. I wish him and his next team all the success in the world (except when he plays against the Sabres).

Yes, Ruff is likely to return to FNC next year at some point as the head coach of Team X, and when he does, he'll get an enormous standing ovation.

 

[Paxon]

I think he was pretty adamant in the PC about wanting to continue to COACH.

Yep, there's no way he doesn't coach somewhere else. Might happen before the season's over as he's one of the few strong candidates out there who could get hired mid-season, as the AHL guys are typically tied to their team until the end of the season. Wouldn't mind seeing him back with the org in some capacity down the line, like Scotty Bowman w/ the Blackhawks now that he's hung up his clipboard.