NEWARK, NJ — Lindy Ruff signed a multi-year contract extension Wednesday to remain the coach of the New Jersey Devils.
Ruff, who was hired on July 9, 2020, is in his fourth season.
His four-year contract, which included an option for the 2023-24 season, was set to expire at the end of this season.
“I’m humbled by this opportunity. I’m excited to see where the group is and where it can go. I really like where the team is right now and I want to keep it going,” Ruff said Wednesday. “We have a special group in Jersey and we have an opportunity to achieve long-term success, create a lot of positive memories and give our fans a lot to cheer about.”
The 63-year-old helped New Jersey (52-22-8, 112 points) set a franchise record for wins and points last season, improving by 49 points over the 2021-22 season and leading the way in 2021. -This was the largest year-on-year increase since the 22nd season. The NHL ran an 82-game schedule in 1995-1996. He is a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, voted as the NHL’s top coach, and his third team captain for the fourth time (with the 2005-06 Buffalo Sabres, who won the award, and 2006-07). Dallas Stars, 2015-Dallas Stars). 16).
Ruff, who has been an NHL coach in some capacity for 30 consecutive years, starting as an assistant with the Florida Panthers in 1993-1994, is proud of how he has evolved as a coach over the years.
“Coaching is a lot different than it was the first year,” Ruff said. “I just focus on understanding the players, communicating and listening to the players to basically build a partnership with the players. Sometimes we need to understand a lot of things, and we also need to understand a lot of where they come from.
“It’s difficult to deal with those types of players today, but I think having the ability to listen to them and communicate with them has come a long way since day one when I coached them, and both of them. I think I can grow.”
One such player is Devils center Jack Hughes, who set a franchise record with 99 points (43 goals, 56 assists) in 78 games last season.
“I think he just came here and told me that…he kind of gave me a run,” Hughes said. “He was like, ‘Hey, I think you can be a special player.’ He allowed me to grow as a player and allowed me to be who I am. That’s the best thing about Lindy. He allowed me to be me and gave me strength. At the same time, he coached me hard. But he also allowed me to be me. He is the person who has brought me to this point in my career, so I have a lot of respect for him.
“We’re going into our fourth year now, so we have a lot of trust in our relationship. I think we’re both really excited about this year and we’re excited to see the team climb the mountain.” will continue to contribute.”
Ruff has high praise for what Hughes has accomplished over the past four seasons and has good ideas about how he can become an even better player.
“I think it’s important for a young player to know that his talent was given to him to execute,” Ruff said. “With his pace and speed, he probably sees things quite differently than other people see. You have to understand that as a coach you have to be willing to make some mistakes. I think he was in. I think.” [Hughes] I also understand that there is a time and place for my special skills. ”
Ruff ranks fifth in NHL history for games played (1,713) and wins (834). He also played in 691 games and scored 300 points (105 goals, 195 assists) as an NHL defenseman for the Sabers and New York Rangers from 1979 to 1991.
Last season, the Devils qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2018 and advanced to the second round of the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2012.
Ruff is looking forward to building on what the team accomplished last season.
“We have earned the right to have expectations,” Ruff said. “That’s something we talked about a lot heading into last year… to play meaningful games and be a playoff team. We ended up in a great position. Now what we’re going to do is play meaningful games and be a playoff team. We know what’s expected of us, we know where we are, and I think, ‘We have to welcome that challenge.
“In fact, the next step for our club is to know that we won’t surprise anyone. Everyone has prepared for us and we will be recognized for how well we have played as a team. right.”
