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Buffalo Sabres History: Top 5 trade acquisitions in franchise history

By Robert Berger

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: Jason Botterill of the Buffalo Sabres works the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: Jason Botterill of the Buffalo Sabres works the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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buffalo sabres dale hawerchuk
MONTREAL, CANADA- 1990: Dale Hawerchuk #10 of the Buffalo Sabres skates with the puck against the Montreal Canadiens in 1990 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images) /

5. Dale Hawerchuk

This ranking was probably the hardest for me, with the two finalists for the 5th spot making up the Buffalo Sabres top line in EA’s NHL 94. Hall-of-famers Dale Hawerchuk and Pat Lafontaine both had stronger careers in Buffalo but I give the edge to Hawerchuk.

Dale Hawerchuk came east to Buffalo in one of the biggest trades in Buffalo Sabres history.  To get Hawerchuk, the Sabres sent a package of players to the Winnipeg Jets at the 1990 NHL draft that included Phil Housley and a first-round draft pick that was eventually used to draft Keith Tkachuk.

The Sabres were getting a future hall-of-farmer in Hawerchuk who had some amazing seasons in Winnipeg. In Winnipeg, he had five 100 point seasons, won the Calder trophy, and was a four time all-star.

Dale Hawerchuk was never able to produce quite like he did in Winnipeg though. Although he had solid years in Buffalo: two 30 goals seasons and he never scored less than 86 points (with the exception of the lockout shortened 1994-95 season), he was never an all-star and the team was not very successful during his Sabres tenure.  Although they made the playoffs every year, the Sabres never got past the second round.

That being said, Hawerchuk is still one of the top offensive threats in franchise history. He ranks third all time with 1.44 points per game and he is top 10 in career assists. Hawerchuk also has the 2nd and 3rd highest assists in one season. And finally, Dale Hawerchuk was the 5th Buffalo Sabre enshrined in the hockey hall of fame when he was inducted in 2001.

Next: Number Four

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