5 best first-round picks in Buffalo Sabres history

By Sion Fawkes | Jan 28, 2022

BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 23: New Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula stands with former Sabres palyers Rene Robert #14, Rick Martin #7 and Gilbert Perreault #11 during pre game ceremonies prior to play against the Atlanta Thrashers at HSBC Arena on February 23, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /

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Dave Andreychuk

The Sabres drafted Andreychuk 16th overall in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. In a career that lasted 24 seasons, Andreychuk spent his first decade in the NHL in Buffalo, where he also earned a trip to the 1990 All-Star game. As a member of the Sabres, he led the NHL once in games played over a single season with 80, and finished 9th all-time in the category, taking the ice 1,639 times.

Andreychuck ranks 15th in NHL history with 640 goals scored and 57th with 698 assists. He remains among the top of the league’s all-time rankings in even-strength goals, power play goals, short-handed goals, shots, game-winning goals, and goals per game, with 0.64.

For his prowess as one of the game’s best left wingers, Andreychuk earned a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017. Before his retirement following the 2005-06 season, Andreychuk would win his first and only Stanley Cup in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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