Dominik Hasek’s #39
Depending on who you are talking to, some in the Buffalo Sabres faithful will call Dominik Hasek not just the best goaltender, but even the best player in the organization’s history. Hasek, the 199th overall pick of the 1983 NHL Draft, did not see action at North America’s top level until 1990-91 for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Despite receiving All-Rookie honors and compiling a 13-4-1 record, the Blackhawks dumped him off to the Sabres, and the rest is, well, history. Hasek went on to receive First Team NHL All-Star honors six times. He also appeared in five All-Star Games as a member of the Sabres.
Hasek also won the Vezina Trophy six times, the Jennings Trophy three times, the Hart Trophy twice, and the Pearson Trophy twice. He was also in the net during the team’s Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1999.
Hasek’s best season came in 1997-98, when he earned a First Team spot on the NHL All-Star Team. He also won the Vezina, Hart, and Pearson Trophies. Hasek logged a 0.932 save percentage, a 2.09 GAA, and a record of 33-23-13. He followed up that success in 1998-99 with a 0.937 save percentage and a 1.87 GAA.