Firing Lindy Ruff Would Be a Huge Mistake: Why Sabres Must Stick with Their Coach Despite Early Struggles

"Lindy has an unmatched passion for ensuring the Sabres’ success. His dedication to this team is clear—he's given so much to this organization, and his drive to bring success to Buffalo is exactly what we need to move forward." — Kevyn Adams, General Manager, Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres may be struggling early in the 2025-2026 season with a 1-6 record, but firing Lindy Ruff would be a mistake. After an abysmal start, fans and analysts have begun to question whether the

Sabres’ head coach is still the right man to lead the team. Despite the challenges, Ruff's leadership and long-term dedication to the team deserve more time.

After the Sabres dropped their first three games,

Ruff called out his team’s poor performance, particularly their lack of offensive production. "When players in the lineup get an opportunity, usually because of an injury, that’s the chance you’ve been waiting for. We need the players to seize that opportunity right now,"

Ruff said during his weekly appearance on the “Jeremy and Joe Show”. His message was clear—players need to step up, and while the losses were frustrating, Ruff
emphasized the importance of staying focused and improving.

Since that moment, the Sabres have won two straight games, including a dominant 3-0 shutout victory over the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers

, proving that Ruff's approach is still working. However, the pressure remains, and the question arises: How much longer will Ruff have to prove himself in Buffalo?

Kevyn Adams

, the team’s General Manager, has consistently backed Ruff and his vision for the Sabres' future. "Lindy has an unmatched passion for ensuring the Sabres’ success. His dedication to this team is clear—he's given so much to this organization, and his drive to bring success to Buffalo is exactly what we need to move forward,"
Adams said, reaffirming his confidence in Ruff's leadership.

Ruff remains committed to improving the team and has the experience to turn things around. He has been one of the

best coaches in Sabres history, and his return to the team last season was seen as an opportunity to reignite the success the franchise once enjoyed. While a 1-6 start
may raise concerns, Ruff's deep knowledge of the team and its needs makes him the right person to navigate these tough times.

Ruff’s contract runs for two seasons, and he is in the second year of that deal. While the

Sabres are not yet a playoff contender, there is still time to evaluate Ruff's ability to lead the team to the next level. Rather than jumping to conclusions, the

Sabres should continue to trust Ruff and allow him to bring the team through this rough patch.

Jonathan Taylor: "IJonathan Taylor: "I'm Here to Dominate, Win Games, and Prove Why I'm the Most Dangerous Weapon in the League"'m Here to Dominate, Win Games, and Prove Why I'm the Most Dangerous Weapon in the League"

"I’m not here for the MVP talk—I’m here to dominate, win games, and prove every week why I’m the most dangerous weapon in the league. As long as I stay healthy, this team is going all the way." — Jonathan Taylor, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are currently 6-1, holding the top seed in the AFC, and their success this season can be attributed largely to the explosive playmaking of Jonathan Taylor

. While quarterback Daniel Jones has garnered attention for his resurgence, it’s Taylor who has been the true star, dominating on the ground and in the air, making a strong case for the

NFL MVP.

Taylor is having a career year, racking up 697 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, and 23 catches for 185 yards and a touchdown. He’s leading the

NFL in rushing and is the league’s most dangerous weapon in the backfield. As Taylor said, he’s focused on domination, not the MVP conversation—"I’m here to dominate, win games, and prove every week why I’m the most dangerous weapon in the league."

Taylor’s Historic Impact on the Colts' Offense

The Colts offense is built around the power running game, and Taylor has been the centerpiece. With the Colts' offensive line opening holes for him, Taylor’s ability to break through defenses has been remarkable. Not only is he

leading the NFL in rushing, but he’s also leading in yards per game (99.6) and first downs (37). His ability to break long runs—five 20+ yard runs

and two 40+ yard runs—has made him an irreplaceable asset in the Colts’ offensive system.

MVP Frontrunner: Taylor’s Case

Typically, the MVP award goes to the quarterback of the

best team. But this season, with no standout quarterback, Jonathan Taylor has emerged as a legitimate MVP contender. He is the best offensive player on the best team

through the first seven games of the season, and his dominance on the field makes him a strong contender for the coveted award.

In the last 20 years, only three running backs have won the MVP:

Shaun Alexander (2005), LaDainian Tomlinson (2006), and Adrian Peterson (2012). Jonathan Taylor could become the next in that line, especially with the Colts’ success and the lack of a dominant quarterback

this season.

Colts’ Success and Taylor’s Future

As long as Taylor stays healthy, the Colts are positioned to continue their success. He is the key player for the Colts’ offense

, and his dominance has been the driving force behind their 6-1 record. If Taylor keeps up his production, the Colts could make a deep playoff run, with Taylor

leading the charge.

While the MVP award is nice, for Taylor, it’s about winning games and proving every week why he’s the most dangerous running back in the league. With his current performance, there’s no question that

Taylor is one of the most dynamic and influential players in the NFL.

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