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Lindy Ruff will be hired as the next head coach of the Dallas Stars, according to a report by Travis Brown of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Thursday afternoon.
Brown writes that team president and CEO Jim Lites stated at a luncheon on Thursday that Ruff will become the team's next head coach barring any unforeseen setbacks. Lites reportedly stated that he shook hands with Ruff prior to the luncheon confirming the agreement.
Brandon Worley of SB Nation's Stars' blog, Defending Big D, writes that he has yet to receive confirmation on the accuracy of the report. However, he states that Brown is a reliable source.
Ruff has been considered a favorite for the position since the beginning of the team's search for a new head coach. He was previously employed as the bench boss of the Buffalo Sabres before being fired in February of this season. Ruff was originally hired by the Sabres in 1997 and led the team to the Eastern Conference Final in his first season. The next year, Ruff followed up the performance with an Eastern Conference championship and led the Sabres within two games of a Stanley Cup.
Coincidentally, it was the Stars who defeated the Sabres in the final.
In 1,165 regular season games coached, Ruff compiled an overall record of 571-432-84 (with 78 ties).
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