The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They compete in the NHL's Atlantic Division and have been active since 1970. The team plays home games at KeyBank Center, after previously playing at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. The Sabres are owned by Terry Pegula, who bought the team in 2011.
The Sabres have reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice, in 1975 and 1999, but lost both times. They are one of the oldest NHL franchises without a Cup win. The team also holds the longest active playoff drought in both the NHL and professional sports, at 13 seasons.
Who is Buffalo Sabres Head Coach 2025?
According to the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres' head coach in 2025 is Lindy Ruff. He was rehired as the team's head coach on April 23, 2024, returning to Buffalo where he is the franchise's winningest coach. Ruff previously coached the Sabres from 1997 to 2013, leading the team to multiple playoff appearances, including the 1999 Stanley Cup Final.
Lindy Ruff was born on February 17, 1960. He is the winningest coach in the franchise's history, with 571 regular-season and 57 playoff wins during his first tenure (1997–2013). Ruff also coached the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils, accumulating 864 career regular-season wins, ranking fifth in NHL history.
As a player, Ruff was a defenseman/left winger and was drafted 32nd overall by the Sabres in the 1979 NHL Draft. He played 10 seasons for Buffalo and served as team captain from 1986 to 1989. Internationally, Ruff has won Olympic gold twice as an assistant coach for Team Canada (2010, 2014) and a silver medal as head coach at the 2009 IIHF World Championship.
Lindy Ruff's physical attributes
| Lindy Ruff | Physical Attributes |
| Age | February 17, 1960 (age 64) |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb) |
Lindy Ruff age
According to the NHL, Lindy Ruff was born on February 17, 1960, making him 64.
Lindy Ruff height
According to the NHL, Lindy Ruff stands six feet two inches (188 cm) tall.
Lindy Ruff weight
According to the NHL, Lindy Ruff weighs 201 pounds (91 kg).
Buffalo Sabres General Manager
According to Elite Prospects, Kevyn Adams is the General Manager of the Buffalo Sabres as of the 2024-25 season. He was born on October 8, 1974, in Washington, DC, USA, making him 50.
Adams has had a long association with the Sabres, starting as a Development Coach in 2009-10 and eventually becoming General Manager in 2020. He has held various roles in both coaching and management with the Sabres and their affiliated teams. Before his managerial career, Adams played in the NHL, including stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Phoenix Coyotes.
In his playing career, Adams appeared in over 300 NHL games, recording 52 goals, 81 assists, and 133 points. He played as a forward and helped the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup in 2006.
Buffalo Sabres Captain
According to the NHL, on September 26, 2024, Rasmus Dahlin was named the captain of the Buffalo Sabres. The 24-year-old signed an eight-year contract extension with the team in October 2023. As captain, Dahlin will be supported by alternate captains Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens, Mattias Samuelsson, and Tage Thompson, who will rotate in the role.
Buffalo Sabres Head Coaches year by year
According to the NHL, Lindy Ruff has been the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres since October 4, 2024. Don Granato coached from March 18, 2021, to April 15, 2024. Ralph Krueger coached from October 3, 2019, to March 16, 2021. Phil Housley was coach from October 5, 2017, to April 6, 2019. Dan Bylsma coached from October 8, 2015, to April 9, 2017. Ted Nolan had two stints: November 15, 2013 – April 11, 2015, and October 7, 1995 – May 11, 1997. Ron Rolston was coach from February 21 to November 12, 2013. Previous coaches include John Muckler, Rick Dudley, Ted Sator, and others from 1980 to 1997.
| Head Coach | Tenure |
| Lindy Ruff | Oct. 4, 2024 – Present |
| Don Granato | Mar. 18, 2021 – Apr. 15, 2024 |
| Ralph Krueger | Oct. 3, 2019 – Mar. 16, 2021 |
| Phil Housley | Oct. 5, 2017 – Apr. 6, 2019 |
| Dan Bylsma | Oct. 8, 2015 – Apr. 9, 2017 |
| Ted Nolan | Nov. 15, 2013 – Apr. 11, 2015 |
| Ron Rolston | Feb. 21 – Nov. 12, 2013 |
| Lindy Ruff | Oct. 1, 1997 – Feb. 19, 2013 |
| Ted Nolan | Oct. 7, 1995 – May 11, 1997 |
| John Muckler | Dec. 13, 1991 – May 14, 1995 |
| Rick Dudley | Oct. 5, 1989 – Dec. 11, 1991 |
| Ted Sator | Dec. 23, 1986 – Apr. 11, 1989 |
| Craig Ramsay | Nov. 5 – Dec. 20, 1986 |
| Scotty Bowman | Jan. 17 – Nov. 2, 1986 |
| Jim Schoenfeld | Oct. 10, 1985 – Jan. 15, 1986 |
| Scotty Bowman | Mar. 20, 1982 – Apr. 16, 1985 |
| Jim Roberts | Dec. 9, 1981 – Mar. 18, 1982 |
| Scotty Bowman | Oct. 7 – Dec. 6, 1981 |
| Roger Neilson | Oct. 9, 1980 – Apr. 22, 1981 |
| Scotty Bowman | Oct. 11, 1979 – May 10, 1980 |
| Billy Inglis | Dec. 7, 1978 – Apr. 14, 1979 |
| Marcel Pronovost | Oct. 13, 1977 – Dec. 3, 1978 |
| Floyd Smith | Oct. 10, 1974 – Apr. 17, 1977 |
| Joe Crozier | Jan. 13, 1972 – Apr. 7, 1974 |
| Floyd Smith | Jan. 9, 1972 |
| Punch Imlach | Oct. 10, 1970 – Jan. 6, 1972 |
Buffalo Sabres Managers 2025
This is a look at the managers in the Buffalo Sabres team as per the NHL official site
| Managers | Position |
| Kevyn Adams | General Manager |
| Pete Guelli | Chief Operating Officer |
| Rob Minter | Senior Vice President of Business Operations |
| HOCKEY DEPARTMENT | |
| Jason Karmanos | Associate General Manager |
| Mark Jakubowski | Assistant General Manager |
| Jerry Forton | Assistant General Manager |
| Sam Ventura | VP of Hockey Strategy and Research |
| Jeremiah Crowe | Director of Pro Scouting |
| Jason Nightingale | Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting |
Buffalo Sabres Staff 2025
This is a look at the other staff in the Buffalo Sabres team as per the NHL official site -
| Staff | Position |
| Justin White | Video Coach |
| Amir Gulati | Video Coordinator |
| Mike Ansell | Skating and Skills Instructor |
| EQUIPMENT | |
| Dave Williams | Head Equipment Manager |
| George Babcock | Assistant Equipment Manager |
| Ben Laing | Assistant Equipment Manager |
| Keith Hayes | Equipment Assistant |
| PLAYER DEVELOPMENT | |
| Adam Mair | Director of Player Development |
| Tim Kennedy | Development Coach |
| Zach Redmond | Development Coach |
| Seamus Kotyk | Goaltending Development Coach |
| PERFORMANCE DEPARTMENT | |
| Les Bisson, M.D. | Medical Director |
| Rich Stinziano | Head Athletic Trainer |
| Bob Mowry | Associate Athletic Trainer |
| Michael Adesso | Assistant Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist |
| Brett Crompton | Head Massage Therapist/Mobility Specialist |
| Ed Gannon, Ph.D. | Director of Physical Performance and Head Strength Coach |
| J.T. Allaire | Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach |
| Dean Higham | Lead Sports Scientist |
| Amanda Edwards | Team Sports Psychologist |
| Don Dudley | Team Chiropractor |
| Emily Galbraith | Sports Dietitian |
FAQs on Who is the coach of the Buffalo Sabres?
A. The Buffalo Sabres were founded in 1970.
A. The Buffalo Sabres’ home arena is the KeyBank Center.
A. The Buffalo Sabres' minor league affiliates are the Rochester Americans (AHL) and the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL).
A. The Buffalo Sabres have not won any Stanley Cups.
A. The Buffalo Sabres have won 3 conference championships in 1974–75, 1979–80, and 1998–99.
