List of Buffalo Sabres Head Coaches (1970-2024)
The Buffalo Sabres, founded in 1970, have seen several head coaches helm the team over the years. Each coach brought a unique style and strategy, contributing to the team’s journey in the National Hockey League (NHL). In this article, we will explore the list of Buffalo Sabres head coaches from 1970 to 2024, highlighting key statistics, achievements, and the most successful head coach in the franchise’s history.
List of Buffalo Sabres Head Coaches (1970-2024)
| # | Name | Term | Regular Season | Win% | Awards |
| 1 | Punch Imlach | 1970–1972 | 120 | .370 | – |
| 2 | Floyd Smith | 1972 | 1 | .000 | – |
| 3 | Joe Crozier | 1972–1974 | 192 | .492 | – |
| 4 | Floyd Smith | 1974–1977 | 240 | .671 | – |
| 5 | Marcel Pronovost | 1977–1978 | 104 | .611 | – |
| 6 | Billy Inglis | 1978–1979 | 56 | .589 | – |
| 7 | Scotty Bowman | 1979–1980 | 80 | .688 | – |
| 8 | Roger Neilson | 1980–1981 | 80 | .619 | – |
| 9 | Jimmy Roberts | 1981–1982 | 45 | .556 | – |
| 10 | Scotty Bowman | 1982–1985 | 240 | .588 | – |
| 11 | Jim Schoenfeld | 1985–1986 | 43 | .500 | – |
| 12 | Scotty Bowman | 1986–1986 | 49 | .459 | – |
| 13 | Craig Ramsay | 1986–1987 | 68 | .412 | – |
| 14 | Ted Sator | 1987–1989 | 160 | .525 | – |
| 15 | Rick Dudley | 1989–1991 | 188 | .535 | – |
| 16 | John Muckler | 1991–1995 | 268 | .530 | – |
| 17 | Ted Nolan | 1995–1997 | 164 | .503 | Jack Adams Award |
| 18 | Lindy Ruff | 1997–2013 | 1165 | .560 | Jack Adams Award |
| 19 | Ron Rolston | 2013–2013 | 51 | .373 | – |
| 20 | Ted Nolan | 2013–2015 | 144 | .337 | Jack Adams Award |
| 21 | Dan Bylsma | 2015–2017 | 164 | .485 | – |
| 22 | Phil Housley | 2017–2019 | 164 | .421 | – |
| 23 | Ralph Krueger | 2019–2021 | 97 | .433 | – |
| 24 | Don Granato | 2021–present | 110 | .416 | – |
Who is the most successful head coach for the Buffalo Sabres?
Determining the most successful head coach for the Buffalo Sabres involves considering various factors, including regular season performance, playoff success, and any individual awards received. Let’s evaluate the candidates:
Scotty Bowman (1979–1980, 1982–1985, 1986–1986):
- Regular Season Win%: .688
- Playoff Record: 22 wins, 9 losses, 13 ties
- No individual awards are mentioned in the provided data.
Lindy Ruff (1997–2013):
- Regular Season Win%: .560
- Playoff Record: 57 wins, 44 losses
- Awards: Jack Adams Award (1)
Ted Nolan (1995–1997, 2013–2015):
- Regular Season Win%: .503
- Playoff Record: 5 wins, 7 losses
- Awards: Jack Adams Award
While each coach contributed significantly, Lindy Ruff stands out as the most successful head coach for the Buffalo Sabres. With a solid regular season record and notable playoff success, coupled with winning the prestigious Jack Adams Award, Ruff left a lasting impact during his tenure.
In conclusion, the Buffalo Sabres’ coaching history is rich and diverse, with each coach playing a crucial role in shaping the team’s legacy. Lindy Ruff’s tenure is celebrated as the most successful, marking an era of competitive and impactful leadership for the franchise.
