BREAKING NEWS: Buffalo Sabres head of the coach Lindy Ruff submitted the resignation letter to the founder with reasons….Read more.

In a stunning turn of events, Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff has officially submitted his resignation to the team’s founder and ownership group, citing a combination of personal and professional reasons.

The announcement was made early Wednesday morning through an internal team memo, later confirmed by the Sabres’ public relations department. Ruff, 65, returned to coach the team in 2024 after previously serving as head coach from 1997 to 2013. His return was widely seen as a move to stabilize the franchise and bring veteran leadership to a young, evolving roster.

In his resignation letter, Ruff reportedly cited:

A desire to prioritize health and family after decades in the NHL grind

Frustration over “philosophical differences” with team management

Concerns over the team’s direction amid a rebuilding phase

“I will always love the Buffalo Sabres and this city,” Ruff wrote in the letter, according to a source close to the organization. “But I believe it’s time for a new voice in the locker room, and for me to step away from the bench to focus on what matters most at this stage in life.”

Ruff’s resignation comes just weeks before the start of the team’s 2025 training camp. The Sabres, who finished last season with a 34-42-6 record and missed the playoffs for the 14th time in 15 years, were expected to make key off-season changes—now likely including a head coaching search.

Team ownership is expected to make a formal statement within the next 24 hours. No interim coach has yet been named.