Gilbert Perreault
Perreault was the first draft pick in Sabres history. And for a minute, he nearly became the first draft pick in Vancouver Canucks history. But thanks to Punch Imlach’s quick eye, he spotted an error on the roulette wheel that then-NHL president Clarence Campbell missed. When Campbell realized his mistake, he awarded the first pick of the 1970 NHL Draft to the Sabres.
Enter Perreault, the first piece of the French Connection. The Sabres legend earned six trips to the NHL All-Star Game, won the Calder Memorial Trophy as a rookie, and received two NHL All-Star Team honors.
He ranks 29th all-time in career even-strength goals with 370 , 29th in career assists 814, 21st in career hat tricks with 18, 28th in assists per game with .68, and 23rd in career points per game with 1.1. The Hockey News listed him at 47th on their 100 Greatest Hockey Players list in 1998, and he is a 1990 Inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Sabres also retired Perreault’s #11 jersey.