Breaking down the rich history of the Buffalo Sabres logo
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres have one of the most iconic logos in the NHL, if not one of the most iconic in sports. Here is a breakdown of its rich history.
When you break down a list of the NHL’s most historic logos, the charging bison and crossed swords that comprise the Buffalo Sabres insignia probably tops the list. But few NHL franchises have two memorable logos, and the Sabres are also in that hallowed club, thanks to the goathead look from the mid-1990s and mid-2000s.
Besides enjoying multiple iconic logos, the Sabres have also found themselves wearing multiple color schemes, with the red and black drawing as much praise as the royal blue and gold. And yes, the team unfortunately did go through a dry spell when they went with a navy, silver, and gold palette between 2006-07 and 2019-20. But that has since changed.
Overall, you can consider the Sabres of today as having what arguably may just be one of the NHL’s most distinguished looks. Let’s break down the rich history of the franchise’s logo.
Breaking down the Buffalo Sabres logo’s rich history: 1970-96 – The Original
The Buffalo Sabres have one of the most interesting logos in the NHL because while there is a lot going on, there is also a lot of meaning behind it. Look at any other logo in hockey, and very few, I can only name one off the bat, serve multiple purposes – that being the logo of the Minnesota Wild, which is in the shape of an animal head.
Anyway, the charging bison, per Chris Creamer’s Sports Logos, has always stood for luck. You also see two crossing sabre swords in the logo, which generally signifies combat between knights or warriors. In the sports world, crossing swords represent the contest, or the game that is being played.
Knowing this, it shows us that the original Sabres had a complete logo, one that wishes the team good luck regardless of who they are playing either at home or during a road trip. And the crossing swords that debuted in 1970 serves as a constant reminder of the game that is being played.
Despite the iconic representation the crossed swords bring, the Sabres did not keep this logo forever. Upon moving into the KeyBank Center, then known as Marine Midland Arena, they radically designed both the logo and their color scheme.