Times wires
Friday, April 29, 2011
Times wires
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Lindy Ruff, the third-longest-tenured coach in the four major pro sports leagues, signed a multiyear contract extension with the Sabres on Friday, keeping him in the fold for another crack at the Stanley Cup championship that has eluded the team since its birth in 1970.
No terms were announced.
"I'm extremely excited," said Ruff, hired in 1997. He declined an extension offer from ex-owner Tom Golisano before the team was sold to Pennsylvania billionaire Terry Pegula in February.
The only other coaches in the major pro leagues who have been with their teams longer are the Cardinals' Tony LaRussa and the Spurs' Gregg Popovich.
Penguins: Sidney Crosby said he had a setback in his concussion recovery about two weeks ago, experiencing symptoms after skating, but is confident he'll be ready to play next season. Crosby went out Jan. 5 after two hits to the head in four days, from then-Capital David Steckel and the Lightning's Victor Hedman, and missed the rest of the season. … Matt Cooke said he left the team for a week after being suspended March 21 for an elbow to the head of the Rangers' Ryan McDonagh to work on "some things I needed some help with." Cooke, suspended for the fourth time since 2008 for bad hits, said he worked with people "outside of hockey" and will continue to do so. He didn't give details. Cooke, suspended for the rest of the regular season and the first playoff round, missed 17 games.