‘After 10 seasons, Lindy Ruff has gone through hell and back with the Sabres. He’s led them through the highest of highs by taking them to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999 and the lowest of lows with three straight non-playoff seasons from 2002 to 2004. Through it all, it would have been easy for Regier to make a coaching change to shake things up. But regardless of winning or losing and who’s in the lineup and who’s not, he’s relied on Ruff as the team’s key motivator and tactician. The Sabres had faith in Ruff to get them out of troubled spots before, and have faith in him to do it once again.’