Lindy Ruff is quietly building on a legacy that already ranks among the most accomplished in NHL history. With 929 career coaching wins-fourth all-time-he’s added 29 more this season while steering the Buffalo Sabres into serious playoff contention. For a franchise that’s been stuck in the postseason wilderness for 14 straight years, Ruff’s steady hand behind the bench is starting to feel like the guiding force Buffalo’s been missing.
And if you're looking for a blueprint on how to carve out a long, successful coaching career in the NHL, Ruff’s 25-year journey is a masterclass worth studying. One former player is already taking notes.
Steve Ott, who spent two seasons wearing the Sabres crest during his 14-year NHL playing career, is now stepping into a new role as head coach of the Springfield Thunderbirds-the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. Ott’s move marks a significant step in what’s becoming a promising coaching trajectory, and it’s clear he’s been influenced by some of the game’s best, including Ruff.
"I've had great head coaches as a player, from Dave Tippett, the Ken Hitchcocks, Lindy Ruffs - and then as a coach, working alongside Craig Berube, Claude Julien and Jim Montgomery," Ott said recently. "These are high-end coaches. So you take bits and pieces that you love from each one of them, and you make it your own."
Ott’s résumé includes stops with the Blues, Stars, Red Wings, and Canadiens, and since 2017, he’s been behind the bench as an assistant in St. Louis. Now, he’s embracing the chance to lead a team of his own-and it’s not hard to wonder if this could be a stepping stone toward something even bigger.
Could Ott eventually find his way back to Buffalo, this time as the man in charge?
That question comes at an interesting moment for the Sabres. Ruff’s status was briefly in question after the team made a front-office shakeup in December, replacing general manager Kevyn Adams with Jarmo Kekalainen.
But instead of making a coaching change, Kekalainen stuck with Ruff-and that decision has been rewarded in a big way. The Sabres have surged with an 18-3-1 run, putting themselves firmly in the playoff picture.
So for now, Ruff’s job is secure. But the long-term picture? That’s still a bit murky.
Ruff, who turns 66 in February, has spent nearly his entire adult life in hockey. Drafted by the Sabres back in 1979, he’s worn just about every hat in the organization-from player to assistant to long-tenured head coach. Whether he eventually retires or transitions into a front-office role remains to be seen, but the question of succession is one the Sabres will have to address eventually.
At one point, it looked like assistant coach Seth Appert might be the heir apparent. He previously led the AHL’s Rochester Americans and was considered a favorite under Adams. But with the Sabres’ power play struggling-currently sitting 21st in the league-his stock may be slipping under the new regime.
That opens the door for someone like Ott. He brings a gritty, team-first mindset that aligns with Kekalainen’s vision for the franchise.
He wasn’t flashy as a player-his career high was 46 points in 2008-09-but he brought the kind of edge every coach loves: nearly 2,000 hits, over 1,500 penalty minutes, 237 blocked shots, and a faceoff win percentage north of 55%. That last stat is particularly notable, given Buffalo’s ongoing struggles in the faceoff circle.
Ott has already interviewed for NHL head coaching jobs during his time with the Blues, so he may not be waiting around when the Sabres job eventually opens up. But if the timing lines up, he’s the kind of candidate who checks a lot of boxes: NHL pedigree, coaching experience, and a playing style that mirrors the identity Buffalo is trying to build.
For now, though, all eyes are on the present. The Sabres are in the thick of a playoff push, and Ruff is leading the charge.
The future can wait-Buffalo’s focused on bringing postseason hockey back to Western New York. And with the way things are trending, that long-awaited return might finally be within reach.