2. Stability behind the bench

Sabres followers of a sure age may bear in mind Ruff because the fiery, hard-nosed participant who suited up for the franchise for the higher a part of the Nineteen Eighties. He retained that persona throughout his first stint behind the bench, channeling his emotion each towards his gamers within the demand of accountability but additionally of their protection. (Ruff arguing with Ottawa Senators coach Bryan Murray throughout “The Brawl” recreation in 2007 is among the many most iconic pictures in Sabres historical past). 

At his end-of-season press convention, Adams expressed his feeling that the present Sabres gamers are prepared for extra accountability – a sentiment the gamers themselves echoed within the ensuing days. Ruff suits the invoice as a demanding presence behind the bench, although he has tailored his fashion up to now decade to have the ability to construct relationships with the trendy athlete. 

“Speaking and coping with gamers, coping with younger gamers, coping with veteran gamers, and understanding the place they’re coming from,” Ruff advised the Devils staff web site in October.

A number of of the Devils’ younger, completed gamers – together with Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt – have credited Ruff with aiding their growth. 

“He set the inspiration for the entire staff, how all of this began,” Bratt stated earlier this season. “He was an enormous a part of the success we had final yr. For us gamers, trusting in his system as the best way to play. He’s been extraordinarily honest and onerous on us for the appropriate causes, to get higher. He nonetheless needs to get higher on daily basis, identical as us. He units the usual excessive on daily basis. Which we love about him.”