Devils sign coach Lindy Ruff to a multi-year extension

Ruff, 63, is signed through the 2023-24 season. Terms of the new deal were not disclosed.

“This young, exciting team has developed and thrived under Lindy’s direction since joining the Devils organization,” Devils managing partner David Blitzer said in a statement. “Lindy is one of the winningest coaches in NHL history and his extension is well-deserved. I look forward to the team’s continued success next season and beyond.”

Ruff ranks first in wins (834) among active coaches and is only 15 wins behind Ken Hitchcock (849) for fourth all-time. He is one of only six coaches in the NHL with at least 800 career wins.

Raff was appointed by the Devils in 2020 to replace interim coach Alain Nasreddine, taking charge of a rebuilding squad. He has a 98-98-24 record in three seasons.

Under Ruff, the Devils play a fast-paced style that highlights the speed of players like star center Jack Hughes, who publicly supported Ruff during his first two seasons. The Devils ranked fifth offensively (3.52 goals per game) and eighth defensively (2.71) last season.

His status looked a bit uncertain at the start of the 2022-23 season, with Devils fans chanting “Fire Lindy!” Through two losses to start the season, however, the Devils found their footing and finished with 112 points in the standings – a 49-point improvement year-over-year.

By November, fans were chanting “Sorry, Lindy!” During home games.

“I accept the apology, and maybe one day we can all sit down and have a beer and laugh about it,” Raf said at the time.

The Devils would go on to eliminate the rival New York Rangers in seven games for their first playoff series win since 2012, in their first playoff appearance since 2018. They were eliminated in five games by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.

“I’m very happy to be committed here and I couldn’t be prouder of the great progress our group made last season,” Raf said in a statement. “We have a special group in Jersey and there is an opportunity to have long-term success, create 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 the winner.”

The Devils open the season against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Hulu).