Bucky's thoughts on 'new' Lindy
Here is an excerpt from Bucky Gleason's column today about Lindy Ruff:
Just before the season, Lindy Ruff pulled his leaders aside and told them they needed to take over the Buffalo Sabres' dressing room. He made it clear that he was finished barking after every poor performance. This was their team, he told them, and taking ownership was their responsibility.
It was as if Ruff recognized that his style had grown stale, that he knew adjustments were required if his team was going to go anywhere. He has said numerous times this season that the Sabres' core is no longer a bunch of kids. They're pros who know what's needed to win and should be treated accordingly.
Ruff hasn't undergone a total makeover, but the shift in his approach has been obvious all year.
Of course, it's easy to take a lighter approach when everything is going well. The Sabres had a great start to the season, but they were dreadful in losses to the Flyers and Bruins over the weekend. It was their first true test, and they failed.
You know what they received for their listless efforts? The day off Sunday and time to sleep in today.
In past years, his players would have begged for a punishing skate rather than endure Ruff's torturous video reviews. He was notorious for tearing down his players in meetings in an effort to drill his message into their heads.
His style works for young players, but it can become tiresome and suffocating for veterans who have been around for several years. After a while, they become bored with the messenger and stop listening to the message.
Ruff is the longest-tenured coach in the league. You don't spend that much time in one place without alienating a few players along the way. Ruff is both a good coach and the right coach for Buffalo. Funny, but staying here has actually forced him to become a better coach.
