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5 biggest trading mistakes in Buffalo Sabres history

By Sion Fawkes

28 May 1998: Dominik Hasek #39 of the Washington Capitals in action during an Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 against the Buffalo Sabres at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. The Capitals defeated the Sabres 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit
28 May 1998: Dominik Hasek #39 of the Washington Capitals in action during an Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 against the Buffalo Sabres at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. The Capitals defeated the Sabres 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit /
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The Buffalo Sabres have stumbled and bumbled through much of the 21st century. Did any trades during that timeframe land in the bottom five?

When a franchise exists for over five decades, they are going to make a plethora of mistakes via roster transactions. And the Buffalo Sabres are no different. Today, we are going to outline five trades that you can call the absolute worst in franchise history.

And no, not all of them have occurred during the ill-fated 2010s. Far from it. So if you are new to the Sabres and you would like to learn some history, the following five trades will give you a brief glimpse into the team’s past.

Some of these trades, die-hard fans remember as though they occurred yesterday. Other trades were just forgettable. But if there is one common denominator between them all, each trade is one the franchise’s front office would love to have back. Let’s explore them.

Buffalo Sabres
11 Nov 1996: Rightwinger Ray Sheppard of the Florida Panthers (center) works against Buffalo Sabres defensemen Richard Smehlik (right) and Jay McKee during a game at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres won the game, 3-2. Mandatory /

The five worst trades in Buffalo Sabres history: Trade #1 – Ray Sheppard

Nick McVicar of The Last Word on Sports outlined what they believed was the worst trade in franchise history. Before we get to the Sheppard trade, McVicar gave us an honorable mention: When they traded longtime goaltender Dominik Hasek to the Detroit Red Wings for a first round pick. You might just see that trade pop up later.

Anyway, before the Hasek trade, they moved the emerging Ray Sheppard to the New York Rangers after the winger posted a forgettable 1989-90 campaign in which he played just 18 games.

During his rookie season in 1987-88, Sheppard posted 65 points in 74 games, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team and finishing second for the Calder Memorial Trophy. He also put up 43 points in 67 games the next season before injuries wiped him out in 1989-90.

After a solid 47-point outing in 1990-91 for New York, Sheppard scored at least 60 points per season between 1992-93 and 1996-97. He was never considered a great player, but he definitely outplayed the cash and future considerations the Sabres traded him for.

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