Buffalo Sabres History: Top Five Goaltenders
Throughout Buffalo Sabres history, some forty-four players have suited up and tended net in at least one game for the team. Those 44 netminders range from Peter Skudra, who appeared on the ice for the Sabres for just 27 seconds in one game in his NHL career, to Ryan Miller, who played over 31,000 minutes with the Sabres.
Of those 44 goaltenders who suited up in the blue and gold (or the red and black, depending on what era we’re talking about here), who were the best?
Today, we’ll pick out five of the top goaltenders in Buffalo Sabres franchise history. These guys have been the best of the best in the net for the Sabres, often flying out of nowhere with incredible saves, stopping impossible shots, setting franchise and league records, and overall, doing what they do best.
Here they are — the top five goaltenders in Buffalo Sabres history.
Sep 25, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; A general view of the pucks used for warm ups before a game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Columbus Blue Jackets at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
5. Tom Barrasso
Barrasso is just one of eight goaltenders to appear in over 200 games with the Buffalo Sabres. His 13 shutouts are fifth-most in Sabres franchise history, as are his 124 wins.
He also appeared in 12 playoff games with the Sabres, racking up a 4.18 GAA and a 3-8 record. His 661 minutes played in the postseason are sixth-most in franchise history for a goaltender, while his 12 games are also sixth-most in the franchise’s history.
To this day, Barrasso is one of only two Sabres players to win the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie – and the only Sabres netminder to do so. He also win the Vezina Trophy in 1984 and shared the William M. Jennings Trophy in 1985 with Bob Sauve.
He was also honore with NHL Player of the Month honors for January 1988.
Sabres Regular Season Record: 266 gp — 15,463 minutes — 3.28 GAA — 124-102-28
(Photo: Sarah Connors/Flickr – https://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahconnors/6543689907/in/photolist-aYeGAt-aYf82M-aYf5bx/)
4. Marty Biron
In Sabres history, Biron is fourth-overall in all-time games played for a goaltender and minutes played by a goaltender. He has the second-best goals-against average of any goaltender who appeared in more than ten games with the team, and is one of just four goaltenders in Sabres history to appear in 300+ games.
Though Biron doesn’t really hold any franchise records, he had a decent tenure with the Sabres and has the fourth-most wins of any goaltender in franchise history.
One interesting fact about Biron: during his eight seasons with Buffalo, he never appeared in a single playoff game.
Sabres Regular Season Record: 300 gp – 16,775 minutes — 18 shutouts — 2,53 GAA — 134-115-29
(Photo: Melissa Kania)
3. Don Edwards
Edwards began his NHL career in Buffalo after being drafted by the Sabres in 1975. He made his NHL debut in 1977 and stayed with the Sabres organization until 1982.
Edwards has the third-most games played of any goaltender in Sabres franchise history. His 14 shutouts are third-most of any Sabres goaltender, and his respectable 2.90 GAA is third-best among netminders who appeared in 10+ games.
He also appeared in 31 playoff games for the Sabres, putting up a 13-18 record with a 3.16 GAA and one shutout. With that, Edwards ranks third across the board in goaltender games played, wins and minutes played in the playoffs.
His time in Buffalo saw Edwards win the Vezina Trophy in 1980, an honor shared with fellow Sabres goaltender Bob Sauve.
Sabres Regular Season Record: 307 gp – 17,969 minutes — 14 shutouts — 2.90 GAA — 156-83-61
Oct 26, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
2. Ryan Miller
Up until the time when Ryan Miller came into Buffalo, Dominik Hasek held many of the franchise’s records. When Miller came in and really got his stride, it was his turn to take the top pedestal, breaking some of Hasek’s records in the process.
Miller’s playoff record is second-best of any goaltender in Sabres history. In 47 games, he went 25-22 with a 2.47 GAA and three shutouts. To this day, Miller is second in playoff goaltender games played, wins and minutes played (2,945).
Throughout his time with the Sabres, Miller won several league awards, including the Vezina Trophy and NHL Foundation Award, both in 2010. He was named to the Future Stars Game n 2002-03 and to the NHL All-Star Game in 2007 and also won league “star of the week/month” honors multiple times.
Sabres Regular Season Record: 540 gp — 31,661 minutes — 28 shutouts — 2.60 GAA — 284-186-57
Jan 13, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Former Buffalo Sabres goalie
Dominik Hasekgets his number retired before a game against the Detroit Red Wings at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
1. Dominik Hasek
Can there be any question that Dominik Hasek is the best goaltender in the history of the Buffalo Sabres franchise? There will be those who argue that Miller and Hasek could vie for the title, but in this instance, I’ve got to give it to Hasek.
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His overall stats with the Sabres during his time in Buffalo are simply too good to deny. Hasek played in Buffalo between 1992 and 2001. During that time, he set over 25 franchise records, some of which he still holds to this day, over 14 years since his last game in the Sabres uniform.
To this day, he still holds the record for shutouts in a career with the franchise (55), far surpassing anyone else. He also has the best GAA of any Sabres goaltender appearing in 10+ games with the team and holds franchise records for
Hasek also holds multiple playoff franchise records, including minutes played (4,290), shutouts (6), GAA (2.04) and wins (37). He also holds the records for most minutes played by a goaltender in one playoff series (484), one playoff year (1,217) and one Stanley Cup Final series (428).
Through his Sabres career, Hasek won the Vezina six times. He also won the Hart Trophy, the William M. Jennings Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award twice each. He was named an All-Star six times and was named player of the month by the NHL multiple times.
As a result of all that, Hasek became the first Buffalo Sabres goaltender to have his number retired by the team this past season.
Sabres Regular Season Record: 491 gp – 28,664 minutes — 55 shutouts — 2.22 GAA — 234-172-70
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