Buffalo Sabres History: Top 30 Players in Franchise History

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