Buffalo Sabres History: Top 30 Players in Franchise History
Jan 13, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres former goalie Dominik Hasek gets his number retired at a ceremony before a game against the Detroit Red Wings at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
When you think about the Buffalo Sabres historically, which players come to mind? Go ahead, make a list. Surely there’s names like Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin, Rene Robert, Dominik Hasek, even Ryan Miller…. what if you had to pick some of the top 30 players in franchise history?
Well, that’s what I set out to do. It turns out it’s a little harder than you think. After all, how can you possibly rank a highly-touted netminder like Dominik Hasek against forwards like Perreault? How can you quantify things like points, goals, and assists against stats like goals-against average and save percentage? How can you throw defensemen into that mix and quantify their contributions throughout history?
Like I said – it’s not as easy as it might sound. So I made my list and it turned out to have about 50 names on it. I tried my best to narrow it to just 30: my goal for this slideshow, being sure to include some players of each position. And rather than ranking them against each other intra-position, I kept the positions separate, and the “numerical” rankings really don’t mean a lot in the wider context of things.
But without any further ado, here’s my list of what I consider to be some of the top 30 players in Buffalo Sabres franchise history.
Next: 1. The Original Sabre
Centers – Gilbert Perreault
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1970-71 – 1986-87
Record: 1,191 games played (512-814-1326), 500 PIM
There’s no doubt about it: Gilbert Perreault is the Original Sabre. He was not only Buffalo’s first-ever NHL draft pick; he broke the mold for what an NHLer could be and set an incredibly high standard for the franchise’s future players. Even to this day, some 28 years after he played his final game in the blue and gold, Perreault holds multiple franchise records, and his number was (rightfully) the first-ever to be retired by the Buffalo Sabres. He’s also a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame and the Great Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
Perreault either led or tied for the team lead in scoring in 12 of his seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. During his tenure in Buffalo, he led the team in goals four times and in assists nine times.
To this day, Perreault holds multiple franchise records, including:
- Career games played (1,191)
- Goals (512)
- Assists (814)
- Points (1,326) – only player to eclipse 1,000 points
- Game-winning goals (81)
- Shots (3,079) – only player to eclipse 3,000 shots
His 69 assists tallied in the 1975-76 season were the best in franchise history for over 15 years, until Dale Hawerchuk topped it in 1991-92 (75). Perreault’s 113 points in 1975-76 season were most in franchise history until Alexander Mogilny broke that record in the 1992-93 season (127); Pat Lafontaine also had a franchise-record 148 points that year.
His 17 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres are most in franchise history, following suit with his other numbers. Perreault’s 81 game-winning goals throughout his career are also best in Sabres history. He had 15 twenty-goal seasons, including 12 consecutive, and ten 30-goal seasons.
Perreault’s 18 game point streak, which lasted from October 24, 1971 until December 4, 1971, is the longest in franchise history. His seven-point game on February 1, 1976 is also a franchise record. I could go on, and on, and on, about how fantastic a player Gilbert Perreault was for the Buffalo Sabres – but really, words can only go so far to describe the best player in franchise history.
Next: Pat LaFontaine
Centers – Pat LaFontaine
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1991-92 – 1996-97
Record: 268 games played (158-227-385), 207 PIM
While Perreault undoubtedly holds the top spot among Buffalo Sabres centers in franchise history, we’ll put Pat LaFontaine at second in that category.
In his first season with the Buffalo Sabres, LaFontaine registered a team-high 46 goals. The next year, he led the team in assists (95) and points (148). Those 95 assists are still the most any Buffalo Sabres player has ever registered in a single season; the same is true for his 148 points.
In the 1995-96 season, he led the team across the board, with 40 goals and 51 assists for 91 points overall in the regular season.
LaFontaine doesn’t hold franchise records quite like Perreault, but he’s up there in a few categories. His six hat tricks are sixth most in the team’s history, while his 66 power-play goals are seventh-most, tied with Danny Gare. His 53-goal season in 1992-93 is in the top three for most goals in a season by a single Sabres player.
LaFontaine’s record of scoring a goal in seven consecutive playoff games in one playoff year is a historic feat; so are his eight goals scored in the 1992 series versus Boston, and his 11 points tallied in that series overall.
LaFontaine finished his career as the second-highest scoring American-born NHLer and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame; his number 16 was retired by the Buffalo Sabres in March 2006. He’s one of just two players in Sabres history to win the Masterton, capturing it in 1995 after overcoming his series of serious head injuries.
Next: Michael Peca
Centers – Michael Peca
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1995-96 – 1999-00
Record: 363 games played (96-121-217), 352 PIM
Peca captained the Buffalo Sabres for three seasons, and is one of only two players in the team’s history to win the Frank J. Selke Trophy, having captured the award in 1997.
He led the team in plus-minus in 1996-97 (+26) and is overall fourth in franchise history in shorthanded goals (14).
Peca’s six shorthanded tallies in the 1996-97 season are third-most in a single season in Sabres history, while his eight game-winners in 1998-99 are also near the top in franchise history.
After his playing career wrapped up, Peca remained local and is now involved with the Buffalo Junior Sabres organization on multiple levels.
Next: Daniel Briere
Centers – Daniel Briere
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 2002-03 – 2006-07
Record: 225 games played (92-138-230), 219 PIM
Though many people will think about Briere’s departure when considering the former Buffalo Sabres captain, it’s hard to deny that he was a darn good player while here.
Briere led the team in points in both the 2003-05 and 06-07 seasons, notching 65 and 95 points each season, respectively. He also led the team in assists (or tied) both of those seasons, including 63 helpers in 06-07. That tally is good for seventh-most in franchise history for assists in a season, putting Briere among names like LaFontaine, Hawerchuk and Perreault.
Briere really assisted during the playoffs, too. His 23 playoff assists are sixth-most among franchise players, while his 12 assists in the 2007 playoffs are most in Sabres history.
Of course, Briere is also one of the more-recent Sabres players to make it to the NHL All-Star Game, joining Brian Campbell there in 2007. Briere was named MVP; the only other Sabres player to get that distinction? Rick Martin (1977).
Next: Stu Barnes
Centers – Stu Barnes
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1998-99 – 2002-03
Record: 310 games played (67-105-172), 98 PIM
“STU-U-U-U-U-U-U-U-U-U BARNES!”
Barnes may not have a lot of franchise records, but the former Buffalo Sabres captain was a leader on the ice who came in clutch when the team needed him. Who can forget his OT goal against the Penguins in 2002?
On a statistical note, Barnes’ four game-winning goals in the playoffs are tied for second-most in franchise history, and his eight power-play goals are third most, behind only Rick Martin and Gilbert Perreault.
He’s also the only Buffalo Sabres player in history to score more than two goals in a Stanley Cup Final series.
Barnes was captain from 2001-02 through 2002-03.
Next: Chris Drury
Centers – Chris Drury
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 2003-04 – 2006-07
Record: 234 games played (85-104-189), 130 PIM
Chris Drury…. what is there to say about Chris Drury? It’s hard to forget the years when both he and the aforementioned Briere were co-captains, and it’s even harder to forget when they both left, at the same time.
Drury was actually captain of the team on three different occasions, including the months of November 2003 and March 2004. Those came before his stint with Briere where they co-captained from ’05-06 through ’06-’07.
His nine game-winning goals in ’06-’07 are tied for third-most in franchise history, and his 17 playoff goals are fifth-most, and highest among any player to suit up for Buffalo in the past 10+ years.
Drury tied Barnes with four game-winners and eight power-play goals in the playoffs, near the top in both categories in franchise history.
Next: Don Luce
Centers – Don Luce
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1972-72 – 1980-81
Record: 766 games played (216-310-526), 304 PIM
Don Luce is another one of those long-time Sabres; his 766 games are seventh-most in franchise history, and his 216 goals and 526 points are are also top-ten.
One point where Luce is really up there in Sabres history: shorthanded goals. His 25 are second only to Craig Ramsay (27). Luce was primarily known as a checking, defensive forward and penalty-killer.
Luce was honored with being named a Wales Conference All-Star in the 1974-75 season, the lone All-Star title of his Sabres career.
Luce became the first Buffalo Sabres player ever to win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy when he captured it in 1975. He was awarded the honor for perseverance and dedication after a 38-point increase in scoring from the prior year. He’d be the only Sabre to win it until 20 years later when LaFontaine did.
One fun fact about him: Luce only missed 14 games for the Buffalo Sabres during his 10-year career with the team.
Next: Onto the Left Wingers
Left Wingers – Rick Martin
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1971-72 – 1980-81
Record: 681 games played (382-313-695), 475 PIM
Ah, another piece of the French Connection, the undoubted top line in Buffalo Sabres history. What can we say about Rick Martin? Let’s start off with some records:
- Lead team in goals four seasons (71-72, 73-74, 74-75, 78-79)
- Lead (or tied for team lead) in points twice (71-72, 73-74)
- In top 10 in career games played and assists
- Second in game-winning goals (47), goals, shots (2,519) and game-winning goals (47)
- Third in power-play goals (112)
- Leads team in hat tricks (21), including 7 in the ’75-76 season.
- Had six consecutive 30-goal seasons, five 40-goal seasons and two 50-goal seasons
- Holds franchise records for goals (44) and points (74) by a rookie
Martin was the first player in Buffalo Sabres history to record 50+ goals in a season.
He holds the records for most goals by a left wing in a season (52) and career (382).
Martin’s number is, of course, retired by the Sabres, sent to the rafters in November 1995, and his presence will forever grace Alumni Plaza outside First Niagara Center along Perreault and Robert in the form of that lovely statue. He was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1989 and appeared in seven NHL All-Star Games throughout his career with the Sabres.
Next: Craig Ramsay
Feb 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Edmonton Oilers assistant coach Craig Ramsay smiles on the bench during a break in the action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Edmonton 5-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Left Wingers – Craig Ramsay
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1971-72 – 1984-85
Record: 1,070 games played (252-420-672), 201 PIM
Ramsay led the team in plus-minus for four seasons, including his first with them (plus-5) and 1980-81 with a plus-39. He’s at or near the top in multiple individual records, including games. His 1,070 games played with the Buffalo Sabres are second only to the ‘original Sabre’ himself, Perreault.
His 252 goals are sixth-most in franchise history, while his 420 assists are third-most only to Perreault and Andreychuk. Ramsay also still holds the franchise record for shorthanded goals, with 27 in his career with Buffalo, and his 32 game-winning goals are among the top 10 in team history.
In addition, his 672 points and 15 game-tying goals are also among the top 10 in franchise history.
Ramsay’s seven shorthanded goals are second in franchise history only to Luce, who had eight shorthanded tallies the same season (1974-75). His plus-51 record that season leaves Ramsay at third in Sabres history for best plus-minus in a season with 40 or more games played.
He also holds the record for most games played by a left winger as well as most consecutive games played, having appeared in 776 games between March 27, 1973 and February 10, 1983). Ramsay’s overall plus-328 is the best plus/minus of any Sabres player in his career.
Ramsay still holds multiple playoff records as well. He was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1986 and appeared in the NHL All-Star Game in 1976; along with Peca, he’s one of just two Sabres in franchise history to win the Frank J. Selke Trophy.
Ramsay, of course, also briefly became a coach of the Sabres, between November 1986 and December 1986, following Scotty Bowman’s final stretch with the team and just before Ted Sator would step in for almost three years.
Next: Dave Andreychuk
Left Wingers – Dave Andreychuk
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1982-83 – 1992-93; 2000-01
Record: 837 games played (368-436-804), 596 PIM
Andreychuk led the Buffalo Sabres in either goals, assists, points or more than one category in five consecutive seasons between 1983 and 1988. That included an 87-point performance in the 1985-86 season and a 51-assist performance that same season.
More from Sabre Noise
- 3 biggest standouts at Buffalo Sabres 2023 Prospects Challenge
- 3 takeaways from the Buffalo Sabres final Prospects Challenge game
- Buffalo Sabres experiment with lesser-known talent in loss to Pens
- Buffalo Sabres 75 Bold Predictions for 2023-24: Prediction 51
- Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh: A quick look at the Penguins prospects
Andreychuk continues to hold spots in the top ten in franchise history in multiple categories, including games played (6th) and game-winning goals (38). His 436 assists are second only to Perreault, the same for his 804 points. Andreychuk leads Sabres players throughout history in power-play goals (161) and is third in shots (2,342, behind Perreault and Martin).
His nine hat tricks during his career with Buffalo are fourth-most in franchise history, while his eight game-tying goals are also among the top ten in the team’s history. He holds the individual, single-season record for most power-play goals (28, scored in the 1991-92 season) and is second for most shots in a season (337).
Andreychuk also holds the record for most goals scored by a Buffalo Sabres player in a single game; he tallied five in a February 6, 1986 game against the Boston Bruins. He holds the records for most points by a left winger in a career, and in a game, as well as most assists by a left winger (career & season).
He alo holds the team records for most power-play goals scored in a single game, tallying four in a March 19, 1992 game against the Los Angeles Kings.
Andreychuk was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 2008. He participated in one NHL All-Star Game during his time in Buffalo (1990).
Next: Thomas Vanek
(Photo: Melissa Kania)
Left Wingers – Thomas Vanek
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 2005-06 – 2013-14
Record: 598 games played (254-243-497), 362 PIM
Thomas Vanek is one of a few more recent players on this list, but he’s well-deserving of a spot, particularly among the left-wingers in Buffalo Sabres history.
Vanek led the Sabres in goals for five straight seasons between 2006 and 2011, also leading the team in goals in the 2012-2013 season. That included two 40-goal seasons; he also led the team in points and assists in both the 2010-11 and 2012-13 seasons.
He’s one of the more recent Buffalo Sabres players to appear in the top ten in some franchise records, including game-winning goals (41), goals and power-play goals (106). He’s also in the top ten in team history in shots, hat tricks and points.
Vanek is also among the team’s leaders for most power-play goals in a season, most game-winning goals in a season and best plus/minus in a single season (+47, 2006-07). His 25 goals in his rookie season are among the top six in franchise history, behind Martin, Perreault, Ray Sheppard, Donald Audette and Danny Gare.
Vanek played in one NHL All-Star Game during his time in Buffalo (2009). He was, of course, also captain of the Buffalo Sabres for a short time, co-captaining with Steve Ott until Vanek was traded a short time later.
Next: Rene Robert
Right Wingers – Rene Robert
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1971-72 – 1978-79
Record: 524 games played (222-330-552), 401 PIM
Of course, Rene Robert has to be at the top of the list when it comes to some of the top players – and certainly top right wingers – in Buffalo Sabres history. Robert was the first played in team history to have a 100-point season, hitting that mark in the 1974-75 season; 60 of his points were assists.
Despite the fact that it’s been… well, more than a handful of years since Robert last suited up in the blue and gold, he’s still in the mix for some of the franchise leaders. His 32 game-winning tallies are among the top ten in the team’s history, as are his 222 goals, 330 assists and 552 points. His 10 game-tying goals are sixth-most in team history, and his 1,754 shots are also sixth-most.
Robert’s 100-point season set the record, until Perreault beat that the next season with a 113-point campaign; he’s also still in the top-10 for most assists and shots in a season. To this day, Robert still holds the records for most assists by a right-winger in career and a single season and most points by a right-winger (career).
He also still holds the record (with five others tied) for most shots on goal in a single game (12, on April 1, 1976 versus Boston), and Robert is also near the top in several playoff career stats (game-winning goals, goals, points). He holds the Buffalo Sabres record for goals in a quarterfinal series (5, 1973 vs. Montreal).
Of course, Robert’s number 14 was retired alongside Rick Martin’s on November 15, 1995, and he’ll always be remembered as part of “The French Connection” – and forever emblazoned in statue form outside First Niagara Center. He was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1989.
Next: Alexander Mogilny
Right Wingers – Alexander Mogilny
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1989-90 – 1994-95
Record: 381 games played (211-233-444), 203 PIM
Mogilny is one of just six Buffalo Sabres players to appear in three or more NHL All-Star Games; he played in three (1992, 1993, and 1994).
His 78 power-play goals throughout his career with the Buffalo Sabres are fifth-most in team history. Only Dave Andreychuk, Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Thomas Vanek have had more. Mogilny also registered 10 hat tricks in his time with the Sabres, a mark only Perreault (18) and Martin (21) have broken. (Danny Gare’s 10 are tied with Mogilny.)
Mogilny still holds the records for most goals in a season (76), most game-winning goals in a season (11) and most shots in a season (360). His 127 points in the 1992-93 season are second-most in franchise history, behind only LaFontaine, who had 148 that same season.
In addition, Mogilny is one of only two Buffalo Sabres players throughout history to register seven assists in a single season. Rick Martin also did it in, the 1975-76 season.
Mogilny still holds the records for fastest goal from the opening face-off and fastest Buffalo goal for the start of a period; he scored just five seconds into the December 21, 1991 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He holds the record for most 4-or-more goal games in a season (2) and is tied with Gare for most game-winning gold in a season. His eight-game goal-scoring streak between December 15, 1992 and January 3, 1993 is matched only by Mike Foligno and Miroslav Satan.
Mogilny continues to hold the record for most points by a right winger in a single season, most assists by a right winger in a game and most shots on goal in a season.
He was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 2011.
Next: Danny Gare
Right Wingers – Danny Gare
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1974-75 – 1981-82
Record: 503 games played (267-233-500), 686 PIM
Danny Gare will go down in history as just the second Buffalo Sabres player EVER to reach the 50-goal mark. After Rick Martin did it in both the 1973-74 and 1974-75 seasons, Gare did it the next year to lead the team in scoring.
He’d eclipse that mark in 1979-80, leading the team with 56 goals, and would also lead the team the following season with 46 tallies. That year also saw him lead the team with 85 points overall.
His 56 goals in ’79-80 would become the most in a single season in franchise history, a record that would hang on for some 12-odd seasons until Mogilny shattered that with 76 goals in ’92-’93. Overall, Gare has three of the top 10 records for most goals in a season. Rick Martin has four.
Gare’s 267 career goals with Buffalo are fourth in franchise history, behind only Perreault, Martin and Andreychuk; his 66 power-play goals and 1,783 shots are also top 10, as are his 35 game-winning goals and 500 points.
To this day, Gare still holds the Sabres record with 21 game-tying goals in his career with Buffalo, and his 10 hat tricks are tied for third-most in franchise history. He also still holds the record for most goals by a right-winger in a career and is tied with Martin with a franchise-high two 50-goal seasons.
One record that Gare has held onto tightly: the fastest goal by a Buffalo Sabres rookie from the start of their first NHL game. Gare scored just 18 seconds into his debut on October 10, 1974 against Boston.
His number was retired by the Sabres in 2005.
Next: Miroslav Satan
Right Wingers – Miroslav Satan
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1996-97 – 2003-04
Record: 578 games played (224-232-456), 233 PIM
Satan led the Buffalo Sabres in points in four seasons during his time with the 716 squad, also leading the team in goals each of those years – plus once more. In fact, there were two consecutive seasons where he absolutely swept the board: 2001-01 (37 goals, 36 assists, 73 points) and 2002-03 (26 goals, 49 assists, 75 points).
His 224 goals with the team are among the top ten in franchise history; so are his six career hat tricks, 33 game-winning goals and 74 power-play goals. Satan’s 15 shorthanded goalies are third-most in team history, behind only Craig Ramsay and Don Luce.
Satan is also tied for the Sabres’ franchise record for most consecutive goal-scoring games, with eight. That record? Tied with the greats Alexander Mogilny and Mike Foligno. Both Satan and Mogilny also hold the record for most goals by a right wing in a single game (4).
Satan is also among the top players in franchise history in several playoff records, including assists in a single playoff series (7, in the 2001 series against the Flyers) and most power-play goals in a single playoff game (2, tied with John Tucker, Randy Burridge and J.P. Dumont).
Satan’s time in Buffalo saw him appear twice in the NHL All-Star Game, in 2000 and 2003. He also acted as captain of the Sabres for one month, October 2003, and was named NHL Player of the Week twice in 1999 and once in 2002.
Next: Mike Foligno
Right Wingers – Mike Foligno
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1981-82 – 1990-91
Record: 664 games played (247-264-511), 1,450 PIM
One word can be used to describe Mike Foligno: jump. Infamously known for his “jump” celebration after goals, Foligno is, of course, also the father of current Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno and current Columbus Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno.
Mike led the Sabres in scoring in consecutive seasons between 1985 and 1987, scoring a combined 71 goals in that pair of seasons. He also led the team in plus/minus in three of four seasons between 1983 and 1987, but also had the top penalty minutes among Sabres skaters in both 1985-86 and 1987-88.
To date, Foligno’s 43 game-winning goals are third most in franchise history, while his 1,450 penalty minutes are second-most. He’s also top-10 in games played, goals, power-play goals, points and game-tying goals.
Foligno is one of three Sabres to hold an eight-game goal-scoring streak, which he held from December 28, 1984 until January 12, 1985. (An odd fact: all three players who have had eight-game goal-scoring streaks have had their streaks in December through January. Mogilny’s was from 12/15 to 1/3, while Satan’s was from 12/19 until 1/2.)
Foligno is also one of six Sabres players to register 12 shots on goal in a single game; he did that on March 3, 1982 against Hartford.
Foligno was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 2004. He captained the team in the 1989-90 season.
Next: Maxim Afinogenov
(Photo: Melissa Kania)
Right Wingers – Maxim Afinogenov
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1999-2000 – 2008-09
Record: 569 games played (134-200-334), 440 PIM
Ask any Buffalo Sabres fan about Maxim Afinogenov and the one thing they’ll likely note about him was: his speed. Simply put, Afinogenov was like a rocket on skates. His speed was undoubtedly one of his biggest weapons, and he knew how to use it.
His 51 assists in the 2005-06 season were the first time a Sabres player registered 50+ apples in ten years, since Lafontaine did it in the 1995-96 season.
What else can I say about Afinogenov? He doesn’t really hold any franchise records, but I feel like he deserves a spot here, especially among right wingers. So how about we just check out some video highlights instead of blabbering on?
Next: Jason Pominville
Right Wingers – Jason Pominville
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 2003-04 – 2012-13
Record: 578 games played (185-271-465), 147 PIM
Pominville is another one of the few more-recent Buffalo Sabres players to appear on this list. An NHL All-Star in 2012 and now playing with the Minnesota Wild, “Pommers” had a solid career with the Sabres organization starting with his days in Rochester.
Pominville would captain the Buffalo Sabres on multiple occasions, first serving in the role between March 2008 and April 2008. He’d pick it back up from 2011 until April 2013.
Pominville is one of five players in Sabres franchise history to record four assists in one semifinal/conference final playoff series, doing it in the 2007 series against Ottawa.
Pominville also had the team’s most recent playoff hat trick; both he and J.P. Dumont notched hat tricks in the 8-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in a game on April 24, 2006. That’s the only time in Sabres history that two players have recorded hat tricks in a single playoff game.
Pominville is among the top-10 historically in shots (1,606), shorthanded goals (10) and assists.
Next: Donald Audette
Right Wingers – Donald Audette
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1990-91 – 1997-98; 2000-01
Record: 421 games played (166-131-297), 335 PIM
Donald Audette: the final forward on this list. I still remember meeting him, along with others on this list like Lafontaine, Satan and Peca, as a youngin’ at the Sabres carnivals of days past. (Side note: can we bring those back? Those were fun, and I’m sure the kids of today would appreciate them.)
Audette led the Sabres in goals in four seasons between 1994 and 2001. The 2000-2001 season saw him sweep the board, leading the team in goals (34), assists (45) and points (79). His 79-point campaign was the best by a Sabres player since Lafontaine had 91 in the 1995-96 season.
Audette’s 65 power-play tallies – 65 of his total 166 goals during his time with the Buffalo Sabres – are still among the best in franchise history.
His 31 goals as a rookie are third-most in Sabres franchise history. Only Martin (44), Perreault and Sheppard (38 each) scored more, though Gare (31) matched Audette in that category.
Audette is also part of the fastest three goals in Sabres’ history. He, LaFontaine and Wayne Presley scored three times in a span of just 39 seconds on March 22, 19982 against Chicago.
Audette also remains near the top in multiple playoff statistics, including games played (61), goals, power-play goals, points and assists. He’s also one of only two players in Sabres history to record an eight-game point-scoring streak in one playoff year, completing that feat in 1998. (Dale Hawerchuk did it previously in 1993.)
Next: The Defensemen....
Defense – Phil Housley
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1982-83 – 1989-90
Record: 608 PIM (178-380-558), 386 PIM
Hourly might just be the top defenseman in Buffalo Sabres history. He led the team in assists in the 1982-83 season and tied with Gilbert Perreault (!) two seasons later. Overall, his 380 assists are fourth-most in the team’s history, and his 558 points are fifth-most, behind only Perreault, Andreychuk, Martin and Ramsay – all forwards.
He holds the top six slots for most goals by a defenseman, and six of the top eight slots for most assists by a defender. Van Boxmeer holds the top two slots in most points by a defenseman, but Housley holds the next four. He also holds the single-season record for most assists by a rookie, putting up 47 in his first NHL campaign.
Housley’s 66 points are most of any Sabres rookie since Rick Martin and Gilbert Perreault.
Housley holds the records for most goals by a defenseman in both a single season and career, and he’s tied with multiple others for most goals by a defenseman in a game; Housley had two hat tricks in his time with Buffalo, including the first on January 23, 1983 against Winnipeg. He did it against five years minus one day later.
Housley was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015, the most recent Buffalo Sabres player to receive that honor.
Next: John Van Boxmeer
Defense – John Van Boxmeer
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1979-80 – 1982-83
Record: 294 games played (49-166-215), 239 PIM
The first defenseman people likely think of when they consider Sabres history is Phil Housley, but next in line? This guy right here.
Housley holds the top six slots in “most goals for a defenseman,” with Van Boxmeer coming after that with 18 goals in the 1980-81 season. To date, no one’s really even come close to that; the most recent was Alexei Zhitnik in the 1997-98 season when he tallied 15 goals.
Van Boxmeer’s plus-40 rating in the 1979-80 season is among the top eight in Buffalo Sabres history. He’s also second in single-season assists by a defenseman (54) and holds the top two slots in most points by a defenseman in Sabres franchise history. His 69 points in 1980-81 are the most in team history; he came close to matching that the next season, finishing just one point shy.
Van Boxmeer is tied with Korab, Schoenfeld and Hannu Virta for the record of goals by a defenseman in a game; that record stands at 3, a mark that Van Boxmeer hit on November 7, 1981 at the New York Islanders. He’s also tied with Schoenfeld for most points by a defenseman in a game, having notched five points that night in 1981.
Van Boxmeer was selected to participating in the 1982 NHL All-Star Game, but had to miss it due to injury.
Van Boxmeer went on to be an assistant coach for the team between 1990 and 1992.
Next: Next Up: Tim Horton
Defense – Tim Horton
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1972-73 – 1973-74
Record: 124 games played (1-22-23), 109 PIM
Ah, Tim Horton. Though most people will typically think of the national (and international) coffee chain when thinking of Tim Horton, it’s hard not to think of his time with the Buffalo Sabres.
Though he was only here for two seasons, Horton was named the team’s most valuable player (as voted by teammates). His overall NHL career would see him appear in 1,446 NHL regular-season games. His number 2 was retired by the Buffalo Sabres on January 5, 1996, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977.
He was also inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1982, just the fourth person to ever be inducted.
Next: Jim Schoenfeld
Defense – Jim Schoenfeld
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1972-73 – 1981-82; 1984-85
Record: 584 games played (45-183-228), 1,025 PIM
Schoenfeld’s plus-60 rating in 1979-80 was good for the team lead, and his 1,025 penalty minutes throughout his career are among the top 10 in franchise history. In fact, Schoenfeld holds the record for second-best plus/minus in a season, behind only Don Luce; Schoenfeld had a plus-60 in the 1979-80 season.
Another record: most penalty minutes by a rookie. Schoenfeld set that record at 178 in 1972-73, breaking Doug Barrie’s previously-held record of 168. Schoenfeld’s record would stand for some 19 years, until Brad May would notch 309 PIMs in his rookie year.
Along with Korab, Schoenfeld is one of just five defensemen in Buffalo Sabres history to record a hat trick; he did so on March 13, 1981 at Winnipeg. He’s tied with Robert for most shots on a goal in a single game (12, recorded December 10, 1978 against Toronto).
Schoenfeld was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1995. During his playing career, he appeared in two NHL All-Star Games (1977, 1980). He was also selected to the NHL All-Stars roster for the 1979 Challenge Cup, alongside Gilbert Perreault. However, Schoenfeld was unable to participate due to injury.
Schoenfeld captained the team between 1974 and 1977. He also coached the team from June 1985 until January 1986, going 19-19-5 in that stretch.
Next: Jerry Korab
Defense – Jerry Korab
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1973-74 – 1979-80; 1983-84 – 1984-85
Record: 537 games played (67-216-283), 870 PIM
Jerry “King Kong” Korab was more a bruiser than anything, leading the team in penalty-minutes in four of five seasons between 1974 and 1979, including 184 in the first season. Today, he’s tenth in franchise history in penalty minutes – quite a way behind Rob Ray, who eventually would notch 3,189 PIMs.
But Korab also holds one of the top 10 plus-minus records in Buffalo Sabres history, having notched a plus-41 in 1974-75, and put up 44 assists, one of the top 10 performances by a defenseman.
He’s also one of only five defensemen in Buffalo Sabres history to score a hat trick – and he was the first to do so, on November 19, 1978 against Minnesota. Koran was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 2001 and appeared in two NHL All-Star Games (1975, 1976).
Next: Last, But Not Least: The Goaltenders
Jan 13, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres former goalie Dominik Hasek waves to the crowd as he takes the ice during his ceremony to get his number retired prior to a game against the Detroit Red Wings at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Goaltenders – Dominik Hasek
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1992-93 – 2000-01
Record: 491 games played, 2.22 GA, 234-172-70
Up until a few years ago, most Buffalo Sabres fans would undoubtedly give Dominik Hasek the top spot in Sabres franchise goaltending history. To this date, Hasek still holds multiple franchise records.
His 55 shutouts still remain top in franchise history by a vast margin; his 28,664 minutes and 234 wins were both long-time records until they were both broken by Ryan Miller. His 4,220 minutes played in 1997-98 season were a franchise record for ten seasons.
Hasek’s .937 save percentage in 1998-99 is the best single-season save percentage in franchise history. In fact, Hasek holds each of the top five slots in that statistic (25+ GP). His 1.87 GAA in 1998-89 is also the best single-season goals-against average in Buffalo Sabres history; he holds the top six slots there, and also holds the record for lowest GAA in a career (2.22).
Hasek’s shining point in today’s record books: the playoffs. Six shutouts, 37 wins, 4,290 minutes played, 68 games — all leading the franchise’s netminders.
Hasek also won multiple honors throughout his time in Buffalo, including twice the Hart Trophy, six times the Vezina, twice the William M. Jennings Trophy and twice the Lester B. Pearson Award.
His number 39 was retired by the Buffalo Sabres in January 2015 – the first goaltender to have such an honor. Hasek was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014.
Next: Ryan Miller
Feb 5, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Goaltenders – Ryan Miller
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 2002-03 – 2013-14
Record: 540 games played, 2.60 GAA, 284-186-57
During his time with the Buffalo Sabres, Miller broke records previously held by Hasek, leading some to think that maybe, just maybe, he could be even better than “The Dominator.”
Miller’s career with the Buffalo Sabres may have ended, but he leaves it with a legacy. His 540 games broke Hasek’s record and surpassed it by 49; his 284 wins and 31,661 are most in franchise history, as he broke Hasek’s records on both those counts.
Miller’s 28 shutouts in his Sabres career are second only to Hasek.
Of course, any recent Sabres fan is well aware of how good Miller was during his time here; I doubt I need to spend paragraph after paragraph on that. He had a 2.75 GAA or better in seven straight seasons as the team’s top netminders, and he worked his way up through the ranks to go from the “playing once-in-a-while third-stringer” to “okay, he’s our starter. No questions asked,” and there’s always a quiet beauty in seeing a player go from this young guy to this great player.
From his days in Rochester, to the NHL Winter Classic, to his All-Star days and everything in between…. from the Milan Lucic incident to all the “WHAT A SAVE BY MILLER!” calls we got to hear over the years, Miller Time was a good time in Buffalo.
Next: Martin Biron
Goaltenders – Martin Biron
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1995-96; 1998-99 – 2006-07
Record: 300 games played, 2.53 GAA, 134-115-29
Though typically two of the first names that come to mind in Sabres history when talking about goalies are Hasek and Miller, how about Biron?
Biron’s 18 career shutouts during his time with the Buffalo Sabres are third in that category in franchise history, behind only Hasek and Miller. His 72 games played during the 2001-02 season are second-most in team history, a record broken only by Miller in ’07-’08 when he played 76 games in a single season, and his .920 save percentage (2001-02) is top-10 in Sabres history, as is his 2.22 GAA (2001-02).
Biron actually holds the franchise record for longest shutout sequence (221:58).
He was named NHL Player of the Week in November 1999 and Defensive Player of the Week in October 2003.
And who can forget his fight with Ray Emery? Goalie fights are ALWAYS awesome and this one was no different. Just the smiles on their faces alone were enough to get me cracking.
Of course, it’s hard to talk about Biron without mentioning his personality. From the aforementioned fight to the “Hey Lindy” skit and so much more, Biron is just a downright fun guy — and he obviously didn’t hate his time in Buffalo, since he still works with the Academy of Hockey at HARBORCENTER.
Next: Bob Sauve
Goaltenders – Bob Sauve
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 176-77 – 1984-85
Record: 246 games played, 3.20 GAA, 113-76-39
Sauve sits sixth in franchise history in goaltender games played and goaltender wins, while his seven career shutouts and overall 14,063 minutes played are also among the top ten in team history.
His four playoff shutouts are second only to Hasek’s six, while his 13 playoff victories are tied for third-most in history. Sauve also holds the record for longest shutout sequence in a playoff year, a streak of 147:25.
Sauve won the Vezina Trophy alongside Don Edwards in 1980; he also won the Jennings trophy with Barrasso in 1985.
Sauve played with Buffalo on two separate stints. Following the last one, which ended in 1985, he went on to spent two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks before playing for the New Jersey Devils for a pair of seasons. His NHL playing career wrapped up in 1989 due to chronic back problems.
He briefly got the chance to play with his brother, Jean-Francois Sauve, on the Sabres. His son Philippe Sauve plays overseas in Europe for the Hamburg Freezers, while Bob is currently a player agent.
Next: Don Edwards
Goaltenders – Don Edwards
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1976-77 – 1981-82
Record: 307 games playd, 2.90 GAA, 156-83-61
Aside from Miller and Hasek, Don Edwards is one of the more-storied goaltenders in Buffalo Sabres franchise history. His 307 games played are third-most among netminders, as are his 156 wins. His 14 shutouts are fourth-most team in history, and his 17,969 minutes played were most until Hasek (and then Miller) came along.
Edwards’ 72 games played during the 1977-78 season were the most for a Sabres goaltender since Roger Crozier suited up for 63 in the 1971-72 season, while his 38 wins in the ’77-’78 season would be top in the franchise for nearly 30 years, until Ryan Miller broke that with 40 wins in ’06-’07.
Edwards also faced 1,970 shots in that ’77-78 season, which was second-most of any Sabres goalie at that time. Roger Crozier still holds the record with 2,190 shots faced in ’71-’72.
His 13 playoff wins, tied with Sauve, were most in franchise history for a long time – until Hasek and Miller came along. The same is true for his 1,859 playoff minutes played and 31 playoff games.
Through his Sabres career, Edwards appeared in two NHL All-Star games, 1980 and 1982. He also earned Second-Team All Star honors in 1977-78 and 79-80 and won the Vezina alongside Sauve in 1980.
Edwards was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 2000.
Next: Last, but not least....
Goaltenders – Tom Barrasso
Years Played with Buffalo Sabres: 1983-84 – 1988-89
Record: 266 games played, 3.28 GAA, 124-102-28
Barrasso’s 266 games are fifth-most in franchise history, behind Miller, Hasek, Edwards and Biron. His 124 wins are also fifth in Sabres history – behind those same players, and the same can be said of his 13 career shutouts and 15,426 minutes played.
He played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1985 and was name a First-Team All-Star the year prior, earning Second-Team All-Star in ’84-’85.
He was also named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team, one of only two Sabres goalies to earn that honor. The other? Jhonas Enroth (2011-12). Barrasso also won the Calder Memorial Trophy, one of three Sabres players in franchise history to earn that. He captured the Vezina Trophy in 1984, just the second Buffalo netminder to do so, and won the William M. Jennings Trophy alongside Bob Sauve in 1985.
Here’s a few fun facts: Barrasso leads all goaltenders in Sabres history in penalty minutes (season: 50, and career: 182) and assists (season: 6, career: 17).
… and how awesome is that photo?
Next: Thoughts on the NHL's Coach's Challenge
So, there you have it: a mix-and-match list of some of the top 30 players in Buffalo Sabres franchise history. Are there any players you would’ve liked to see on the list? Any you would have left off? Let us know – we’d love to see your comments.