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Sabres owner joins team after cancelled practice

Originally posted on NHL on ClutchPoints
By Michael Whitaker | Last updated Dec 16, 2024 2:21 PM ET

The Buffalo Sabres are nothing short of a total dumpster fire, having lost 10 straight games; their latest loss was a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the division rival Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night on the back of a John Tavares hat trick.

As the Sabres get set to take on the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night, there’s been a notable development. Buffalo’s practice for Monday morning was canceled after a team meeting, and franchise owner Terry Pegula reportedly is set to meet with the players.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet opined that the report of Pegula meeting with the players meant that something big could be on the horizon, via Sportsnet.

“That means, to me, one of two things,” Friedman said. “Either he’s making changes or he’s saying this is the group, this is who we’re going with. It’s possible there’s other options, but I wouldn’t know what they are. I think it’s one or the other. It’s not often an owner goes on the road, either with the team or to meet the team. Obviously, it’s a big day and a big meeting for the Sabres.”

The Sabres and Canadiens are scheduled to play Tuesday night at 7:00 PM EST from Bell Centre.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff admitted to being literally speechless after the 10th straight loss

Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff watches his team from the bench during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center. Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

After the 10th consecutive loss, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff admitted that he was at a complete loss for words.

“I’m almost lost for words, obviously,” Ruff said following the loss to the Maple Leafs (h/t Dave McCarthy via NHL.com). “It’s on me to solve this. This is the toughest solve I’ve been around, but it’s on me to get these guys in the right place to win a hockey game. And nobody else, just me.”

Ruff returned to the Sabres, who he coached from 1997 to 2013, during the offseason. He had led them to the Eastern Conference Final in 1998 and 2007, as well as the Stanley Cup Final in 1999 and is the winningest coach in franchise history.

This article first appeared on NHL on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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