Terrible tragedy strikes long time NHL head coach Lindy Ruff.

I have some sad news to report on this Monday morning.

According to a report from the National Hockey League's own Mike Morreale, New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff will be taking a personal leave of absence over the course of the next few days. Ruff's departure comes as a result of the loss of his father, Leeson Ruff, who reportedly passed away on Friday. As a result of his absence Ruff is expected to miss both games of a back to back against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the first of which is set to take place tonight in Toronto, and the other which will be held in New Jersey on Tuesday.

Due to Ruff's absence this week assistant coach Alain Nasreddine will be taking over the head coaching duties for the Devils over the course of those two games, and although this is not ideal the Devils do appear to be in good hands. Nasreddine has already been called upon once this season to fill in when Ruff was absent, with that taking place back in December when Ruff was one of many around the NHL who tested positive for Covid-19. Nasreddine performed his duties admirably during that stretch as well, recording a 2 - 1 record over the 3 games that he was head coach, and no doubt he will look to replicate that success this week when his team faces off against the Maple Leafs.

The New Jersey Devils organization released the following short statement on Monday following news of the annoucnement:

"The Devils organization is thinking of Lindy, his family and all those who knew Leeson during this difficult time," the team said in a statement.

Of course there are things more important than hockey and one of the hardest things for anyone to go through in life is the loss of a parent. I can't imagine what Ruff must be going through at this moment and both my thoughts and condolences go out to Lindy Ruff as well as the entire Ruff family, and anyone who loved Leeson Ruff or considered him a friend.