Lindy Ruff Says Goodbye

The coach bids farewell and the cowboy rides away.  Long-time Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff says goodbye after being fired two days earlier, and George Strait gives his final concert in Buffalo -- on the same day! This is a way too emotional day for me.  Two class acts that I've admired for years, and it's hard to let go.

I've known Lindy since he was a player and captain with the Sabres back in the '80s.  And he's directed the team from behind the bench since 1997 after replacing Ted Nolan as coach.  I don't think you could find me a person who wanted to win a Stanley Cup for this city more intensely than Lindy.  Buffalo is his adopted home and he claimed at his final press conference that Western New York will always remain his home.

In an emotional address to the media on Friday morning Lindy thanked the team's owners over the years, General Manager Darcy Regier, the players past and present and especially the fans.  He said he will always have a special affection for the Buffalo fans after all the support they gave him during the illness of his young daughter.

Lindy said he's especially disappointed he wasn't able to deliver a championship to a city that so much deserves it.  But he said he truly believes the team is on the right track and the problems they're having now will work themselves out.

Lindy began his final press conference by giving thanks to the owners of the Sabres over the years.

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