Dallas Stars Hire Lindy Ruff as New Head Coach
By Josh Hill
The Dallas Stars have found the guy they think can lead them into the next phase of the franchise’s future. After being fired by the Buffalo Sabres in the middle of the season, Lindy Ruff has landed in Dallas and has been named the new head coach of the Stars.
Per the Dallas Stars team website:
"Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the team has hired Lindy Ruff as the 22nd head coach in franchise history and the seventh in Dallas Stars history. The club will hold a press conference today (Friday, June 21) at American Airlines Center to introduce Ruff as head coach."
Ruff was very successful with the Sabres and had been with the team since the late 90s until he was fired in the middle of this past season. There was some talk of Ruff possibly hoping on with the New York Rangers but they seem to be head over heels for Alain Vigneault. Dallas also spoke with former Rangers coach John Tortorella but they preferred Ruff’s style over that of Torts.
“I am honored to be joining the Dallas Stars organization,” said Ruff, via the Stars team website. “After speaking at length with Jim Nill, it was clear that all the right pieces are coming together to return this club to the upper-echelon of the NHL. I look forward to leading its resurgence.”
Ruff’s postseason success is perhaps the most attractive quality that Ruff possesses as the Stars are thinking that Ruff can mold this young team together and consistently lead them to the postseason. There is a lot of young talent on their roster but it hasn’t been properly put together. Ruff has the resume that suggests he’s the guy and the Stars seem confident enough that he is.