As the city of Buffalo celebrates Josh Allen's MVP award in the NFL, it may be time to look back on other recipients of similar honors.
Allen is the first Buffalo Bill to win the MVP since Thurman Thomas in 1991. The Sabres have had one other player take home the MVP in the NHL. He happened to do it twice.
Dominik Hasek was the recepient of the Hart Memorial Trophy given to the most valuable player in all of the NHL. He won it in both the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons. He was the first goaltender to win the award multiple times.
Like Allen, Hasek's play helped to elevate the organization. In 1997, the Sabres won the Northeast division title. In 1998, they made it all the way to the conference finals under Hasek's play and leadership.
Their history may bode well for both Allen and the Bills. In the 1998-1999 season, the year after his second consecutive MVP, Hasek led the Sabres to the Stanley Cup Finals.
In addition to the MVP, Allen was also the recipient of the Art Rooney Award. It is awarded to the one player in the NFL, who exhibits the best sportsmanship while playing.
A few Sabres players were awarded sportsmanship honors in their history.
In the 1972-73 season, Gilbert Perreault, was presented the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. The award is given to the player who displays both sportsmanship and well-regarded conduct.
During that season, Perreault helped lead Buffalo to their first playoff appearance while being at the top of the league in scoring.
In the 1994-95 season, Pat LaFontaine was the recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The trophy is given to the player who best exemplifies both perseverance and sportsmanship while on the ice.
During the few years prior, LaFontaine had perservered throughout his time in the NHL. He suffered several head injuries but continued to be a leader for Buffalo. He helped Buffalo earn a spot in the postseason in 1995.
Allen continues to move up the ranks as greatest players in the history of both the Bills and the city of Buffalo. All three recipients of these awards are a part of the list of 100 Greatest NHL Players.
All three are also members of the Sabres Hall of Fame and have become famous parts of the city and of Buffalo's lore as a sports town. Allen will be joining them after he retires.