After starting last season on the hot seat, Lindy Ruff, the coach of the New Jersey Devils, has signed a multi-year contract extension, as announced by the team on Wednesday. Ruff’s leadership has led to the Devils’ resurgence, making them strong contenders for the Stanley Cup.
At the beginning of the 2022-23 season, fans at the Prudential Center were calling for Ruff’s firing. However, the Devils turned things around, going on a 14-game winning streak and winning a total of 52 games, including a playoff victory over the New York Rangers.
Now in his fourth season as the coach of the New Jersey Devils, Ruff’s extension recognizes his crucial role in the team’s development during its rebuilding phase, according to Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald said, “We’re extremely fortunate as an organization to have Lindy Ruff leading our team. He has played a significant part in the growth of our young players. From the start, he has done an outstanding job guiding our team, and we look forward to further success under his leadership as we continue to progress.”
Ruff, in his own statement, expressed his excitement about staying with the Devils and building on the success they achieved last season. He stated, “I’m excited to commit to this situation and couldn’t be prouder of the progress our team made last season. We have a special group here in New Jersey, with the potential for long-term success, creating positive memories, and giving our fans a lot to celebrate. Our Devils’ fan base is one of the best in the League, and they deserve to see a winning team.”
Ruff, with 23 seasons as an NHL head coach, currently ranks fifth all-time with 834 wins. With the strong chances of the Devils winning the Stanley Cup in 2024, he is expected to add a significant number of victories to his record.
