Was Lindy Ruff The Right Sabres Choice?

On this episode of Talking Patrick, Patrick Moran discusses with friend and recurring guest Tone Pucks whether new/once again Buffalo Sabres head coach was the right person to get tasked with putting an end to the team's historic playoff drought in addition to a conversation about the general direction of the team. Tone was on the show yesterday when the discussion centered on if the Buffalo Bills look like a team that's still going to be good in 2024. Today it's almost entirely about the Sabres. Following a 13th consecutive season of missing the playoffs, not only an extension of their own record but tying the New York Jets for the longest in major pro sports, Terry Pegula fired Don Granato and within a week Ruff was hired to once again take over. The guys talk about if have a problem with a wider coaching net not being cast before landing on Ruff as well as how much of the hire is about hockey and how much to perhaps help win back fans. There's also plenty to talk about with the team in general. Despite nearly everyone saying it's not going to happen, Tone is still convinced that the Sabres are going to end up getting rid of Jeff Skinner this summer, whether that comes through buy out or a trade and even uses an interesting Bills situation as a baseline for comparison. He also has thoughts on Matthew Fairburn recently saying on this show Dylan Cozens could eventually become a captain on this team in addition to thoughts on trading Casey Mittelstadt rather than paying him long term, not having a rush to get anyone in the pipeline onto the main roster and plenty more. Follow Tone Pucks on Twitter @TonePucksRedux ♦♦♦♦♦ Follow Patrick Moran/Talking Buffalo Podcast Substack: Patrick Moran’s Substack Twitter: @PatMoranTweets. Facebook: Talking Buffalo Podcast YouTube: Talking Buffalo Podcast YouTube Channel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices