Sabres' Ruff hates being on the outside looking in for playoffs

[bernier56]

Lindy Ruff will keep an eye on some of his former players during the postseason. Well, for as long as he can keep the TV on anyway.

The NHL playoffs start today, and Ruff is on the outside for the first time since before the lockout. The Buffalo Sabres coach made it clear Tuesday the next couple of months will be agonizing while other teams chase the Stanley Cup.

“You kind of have a sick feeling,” Ruff said. “Playoffs are going to start [tonight], and it’ll be a situation where in my case I will watch a little bit, and there’s a good chance that I might just turn it off and walk out of the house, will have had enough of it after a period or so. It is almost a feeling of sickness that you didn’t get your team to that place you wanted to be.
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/319020.html

[JFKDivisionChamps02]

Kind of obvious if I do say so myself, I think the whole team does.

[jlpubarch]

Lindy gets sick twice in one year...

First he has to get over losing his co-captains...

Then he has to get over his young guys not getting him into the playoffs...

I'm going to guess that his relationship with Quinn is on thin ice.

[pigpen65]

Then he has to get over his young guys not getting him into the playoffs...

Holy Christ man.

[jlpubarch]

Holy Christ man.

What?

They didn't let him down by having no mental toughness when up by 2 goals in the 3rd period at home?...5 times?

[MauvaisSang]

What?

They didn't let him down by having no mental toughness when up by 2 goals in the 3rd period at home?...5 times?

Pigpen thinks it's all Ruff's fault.

[pigpen65]

What?

They didn't let him down by having no mental toughness when up by 2 goals in the 3rd period at home?...5 times?

If you believe mental toughness is something a player has or doesn't have, then this team needs a complete purge this offseason. Like you said, these guys don't have it, so they aren't going to just get it all of a sudden. No point spinning our wheels with the same mentally week team.

[pigpen65]

Pigpen thinks it's all Ruff's fault.

That the Sabres did not make the playoffs this year? Yes. They were a playoff team this year who was very poorly coached.

[MauvaisSang]

If you believe mental toughness is something a player has or doesn't have, then this team needs a complete purge this offseason. Like you said, these guys don't have it, so they aren't going to just get it all of a sudden. No point spinning our wheels with the same mentally week team.

Most of these players were on two ECF teams, and played through a lot of clutch situations. It wasn't just the Briere and Drury show. Calling them mentally weak is ridiculous. They're human, they %$@$ up sometimes. There's a few players who %$@$ed up regularly enough where they need to be replaced. Your "fire Ruff or replace the whole team" idea remains asinine.

[ricogarion]

Lindy Ruff is the one thing about the Sabres I can honestly say is perfect,provide him with the right players and stop strip mining his roster and he will win a CUP,you can qoute me on that!