Newark, N.J. (WGR 550/WBEN) - Former Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff was fired by the New Jersey Devils on Monday after three-and-a-half years on the job.
At the time of his firing, the Devils sit eight points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. New Jersey also sits just two points ahead of the Sabres after making the playoffs last season as the second seed in the Metropolitan Division.
Over his three-plus years coaching in Newark, Ruff was 128-125-28, making the playoffs last season.
The Devils have replaced Ruff as the bench boss by elevating associate head coach Travis Green, who previously served as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks for parts of five seasons.
Ruff spent a majority of his coaching career with the Sabres, having the job from 1997-2013, and making the playoffs eight times over his 15 years with Buffalo.
The 64-year-old also spent the majority of his playing career with the Sabres from the 1979-80 season to the 1988-89 season, appearing in 608 games and registering 285 points (102+183).
