Buffalo Sabres Top 5 Least Penalized Players In History

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Jan 15, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (44) and Minnesota Wild defenseman Mathew Dumba (55) fight during the first period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

A couple of weeks ago, we took a look at some of the biggest enforcers the Buffalo Sabres roster has seen since 1970. The top five most penalized players in Buffalo Sabres history were some of the biggest enforcers, guys who were never afraid to drop the gloves, make a hit and take a fight.

Today, we turn the tides and look at the other side of things: the least penalized players in Buffalo Sabres history. If there was a team-wide Lady Byng trophy for sportsmanlike conduct, these are the guys who would get it.

In order to accurately and fairly judge this one, we’re setting some ground rules. This list encompasses skaters who have appeared in at least 82 games with the Buffalo Sabres. It does not include goaltenders (because let’s face it, those guys would be at the top of this list!) and does not include any players who appeared in less than 82 games over the course of their careers with the Sabres.

Finally, to make it fair and even across the board, we’re looking at the average of how many penalty minutes a player took. For instance, Luke Adam appeared in 82 games with the Buffalo Sabres and racked up 32 penalty minutes, an average of 0.3678 PIM/game. Stu Barnes had 98 penalty minutes in 310 games, an average of 0.316129, and so on.

According to that standard, here are the top five least penalized players in Buffalo Sabres history.

Mar 9, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; A general view of the Buffalo Sabres playing against the Chicago Blackhawks at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

5. John Gould

Gould, a forward, played with the Buffalo Sabres on two different occasions. He played with the team from 1971-72 until 1973-74; then again during the 1979-1980 season.

Over the course of those years, Gould appeared in 92 games with the Buffalo Sabres. He racked up 14 goals, 12 assists and 26 points — and just 13 penalty minutes.

For the folks at home, that’s an average of roughly 0.14 penalty minutes per game.

Gould played elsewhere in his NHL career, including with the Atlanta Flames and Vancouver Canucks, and ultimately averaged 0.22 penalty minutes per game throughout his career.

Sep 16, 2013; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers center Brad Boyes (22) in the third period of a game against the Nashville Predators at the BB&T Center. The Panthers won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

4. Brad Boyes

Boyes, another forward, played with the Buffalo Sabres between 2010 and 2012. He appeared in 86 games with the Buffalo Sabres during that time.

Boyes notched 13 goals and 24 assists for 37 points in that time. He also managed to avoid the sin bin, racking up just 12 penalty minutes.

His average: 0.1395 penalty minutes per game.

Boyes’ NHL career has also included stints with several other teams, from Boston to St. Louis and most recently, Florida.

Overall, his career average is .314 penalty minutes per game, slightly higher than his average with the Buffalo Sabres.

Feb 20, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) looks to make a pass while being defended by Buffalo Sabres right wing Brian Flynn (65) during the first period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

3. Brian Flynn

Flynn has been another one of those remarkably not-very-penalized players in Buffalo Sabres history.

2. Randy Wyrozub

Wyrozub played for the Buffalo Sabres between 1970 and 1974.

He appeared in an even 100 games with the Buffalo Sabres, and was served with 10 penalty minutes in that time.

That’s an even average of 0.1 penalty minutes per game.

During his time in Buffalo, the centerman added 18 points (8-10). He was drafted by the Sabres 43rd overall in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft.

The Buffalo Sabres would be the only NHL team in his career. Wyrozub also spent time in the WHA, AHL, NAHL, PHL, IHL AND NEHL, including with the Mohawk Valley Comets, the Muskegon Mohawks, Tucson Rustlers and Erie Blades.

Oct 4, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; A general view of the pre-game outdoor party at the Sabres alumni plaza before the game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Ottawa Senators at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

1. Fred Stanfield

Of all the players on this list, Stanfield appeared in the most games with the Buffalo Sabres – yet still manages to have the lowest PIM/game average.

He played for the Buffalo Sabres between 1974 and 1978, appearing in a total of 248 regular season games with the team.

In that time, he was served with just 16 penalty minutes, averaging 0.0645161 PIM/game. Factoring in playoff games – during which he never got a penalty – that amounts to an average of 0.05735 – even lower.

Prior to his time in Buffalo, Stanfield had a storied NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and Minnesota North Stars. Overall, he appeared in 1,020 NHL games over the course of his career and was served with just 144 penalty minutes in that time.

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