Buffalo Sabres: Who is the biggest draft day steal in team history?
The Buffalo Sabres have enjoyed numerous draft day steals throughout their history. But one name stands out more than the others.
In the second half of the 2021-22 season, Victor Olofsson worked some magic for the Buffalo Sabres. And perhaps no other player enjoyed so much post-All-Star break success. Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson might have given him a run, but Olofsson played like a top player from February 15th to April 29th.
Olofsson, the 181st overall pick of the 2014 NHL Draft, could be considered one of the best steals in team history if he continues his high-octane ways. But when you look back into the Sabres past, one name stands head and shoulders above all when it comes to draft day steals. That player is none other than Ryan Miller, the 138th pick of the 1999 NHL Draft.
Ryan Miller is the biggest draft day steal in Buffalo Sabres history
Miller, who logged 391 wins during his NHL career, leads all American goaltenders in the category. He also holds the NHL record for the most shootout wins by a goaltender in a single season with ten.
He donned a Sabres uniform during that 2006-07 season, posting a 40-16-6 record with a 0.911 save percentage and a GAA of 2.73. Despite the legendary season, Miller’s best year with the Sabres did not occur until 2009-10. He received NHL All-Star Team honors that season, and he also took home the Vezina Trophy.
Stats-wise, Miller finished the year 41-18-8, posting an astounding GAA of 2.22. He also logged a career-high save percentage of 0.929.
The Sabres made the playoffs just one more season after his career year. But despite the team’s struggles, Miller continued to produce well. Between 2011-12 and his final season in Buffalo, Miller never allowed over 2.72 goals per game and his save percentage never dipped below 0.910.
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Ryan Miller may receive some competition in the future from the likes of Olofsson, up-and-comer Lukas Rousek, or even someone that may come completely out of the blue. But for any of the above to surpass him, it would take a borderline Hall of Fame career.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)