BUFFALO – During Lindy Ruff’s re-introduction as Sabres coach, the assistant coaches he inherited from his predecessor, Don Granato, sat in the front row watching their new boss speak.
Ruff said he spent “what seemed like a couple hours” talking with the coaches Tuesday morning prior to his news conference.
Right now, Ruff has one open spot on his staff. The Sabres also fired assistant coach Jason Christie when they dismissed Granato.
“Looking to add for sure,” Ruff said in the KeyBank Center pavilion. “Looking to get all the pieces in the right place would be my second part, that will make us one of the best staffs.”
Ruff could reassign some coaches or give them different duties. Assistants Mike Bales, Matt Ellis, Marty Wilford and Dan Girardi and rehab and skating coach Mike Ansell and video coach Justin White are all on the staff. Ruff must also replace video coordinator Matt Smith, who was fired with Granato and Christie last Tuesday.
