New Jersey Devils coach Lindy Ruff signed a multi-year contract extension Wednesday, one day ahead of the 2023-24 season opener.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the Devils. Ruff’s contract was set to expire at the end of this season.
“I’m thrilled to commit here to this situation and couldn’t be prouder of the great progress that our group made last season,” Ruff said. “We have a special group in Jersey and there’s an opportunity to accomplish long-term success, make a lot of positive memories and give our fans a lot to cheer about — because our Devils’ fan base is one of the best in the League and they deserve to see a winner.”
Ruff, 63, ranks first among active coaches in wins (834) and is just 15 shy of matching Ken Hitchcock for fourth all-time.
Ruff guided the Devils (52-22-8, 112 points) to franchise records in wins and points last season. The 112 points marked a 49-point gain from 2021-22.
New Jersey defeated the Hudson River rival New York Rangers in seven games during the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in five in the second.
“This young, exciting team has developed and thrived under Lindy’s stewardship since he joined the Devils’ organization,” Devils managing partner David Blitzer said. “Lindy is one of the winningest coaches in NHL history and his extension is well deserved. I’m looking forward to continued team success this upcoming season and beyond.”
A Jack Adams Award finalist for the fourth time for a third different franchise, Ruff won the honor with the Buffalo Sabres in 2005-06.
Ruff is 98-98-24 during his three seasons with the Devils. He is 834-652-149 with 78 ties in 1,713 career games with the Sabres, Dallas Stars and Devils.
–Field Level Media