For current information on this topic, see 2008–09 Buffalo Sabres season

Buffalo Sabres
Conference	Eastern
Division	Northeast
Founded	1970
History	Buffalo Sabres 1970 - present
Home Arena	HSBC Arena
City	Buffalo, New York
Colors	Midnight Blue, Maize, Silver, White
Media	MSG Network WGR (550 AM)
Owner(s)	Thomas Golisano
General Manager	Darcy Regier
Head Coach	Lindy Ruff
Captain	Jason Pominville (Rotating)
Minor League Affiliates	Portland Pirates (AHL) Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (CHL)
Stanley Cups	none
Conference Championships	1974–75, 1979–80, 1998–99
Division Championships	1974–75, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1996–97, 2006–07

The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The 2008–09 Buffalo Sabres season will be the 38th season of the Buffalo Sabres. The Eastern Conference (Conférence de l'Est is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League (NHL used to divide teams The NHL 's Northeast Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment the predecessor of which was the Adams Division. The 1970–71 NHL season was the 54th season of the National Hockey League. The 1970–71 NHL season was the 54th season of the National Hockey League. Buffalo (ˈbʌfəloʊ is the second largest city in New York State. Midnight blue is a dark shade of Blue, close to Black, that was named for its darkness The color maize, in the English language, usually refers to a color that is similar to Yellow; it is named for the Cereal of the same name— Maize Silver is the metallic shade resembling Gray, closest to that of polished Silver. White is a Color, the perception which is evoked by Light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive Cone cells in the Human eye The Madison Square Garden Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic and focused on New York WGR, or WGR Sports Radio 550, is an all Sports Radio station in Buffalo New York that broadcasts on 550 AM. Blase Thomas Golisano (born 1942 is an American Billionaire Businessman and the founder of Paychex, the second-largest Payroll Darcy John Regier (born November 27, 1956 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan) is the current General manager of the Buffalo Sabres of Lindy Cameron Ruff (Born February 17, 1960 in Warburg, Alberta) is Head coach of the Buffalo Sabres and former left winger Jason JohnPominville (born November 30, 1982 in Repentigny, Quebec, Canada) is a Professional Ice hockey right The Portland Pirates are a minor professional Ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. American Hockey Association (1926–1942The American Hockey League (AHL is a Professional Ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs are a professional Ice hockey team which plays in the Bossier City - Shreveport metropolitan area of Louisiana The Central Hockey League (CHL is a mid-level Professional hockey league owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. The 1974–75 NHL season was the 58th season of the National Hockey League. The 1979–80 NHL season was the 63rd season of the National Hockey League. The 1998–99 NHL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Hockey League. The 1974–75 NHL season was the 58th season of the National Hockey League. The 1979–80 NHL season was the 63rd season of the National Hockey League. The 1980–81 NHL season was the 64th season of the National Hockey League. The 1996–97 NHL season was the 80th Regular season of the National Hockey League. The 2006–07 NHL season was the 89th Regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL Ice hockey, often referred to simply as hockey, is a team Sport played on Ice. Buffalo (ˈbʌfəloʊ is the second largest city in New York State. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHL 's Northeast Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment the predecessor of which was the Adams Division. The Eastern Conference (Conférence de l'Est is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League (NHL used to divide teams The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America

Contents 1 History 1.1 Founding 1.1.1 French Connection 1.1.2 Fog and the bat 1.1.3 Leaving the Aud 1.2 1996–97—2005–06: Black and red era 1.2.1 New arena and new attitude 1.2.2 New owners 1.2.3 "No Goal!" 1.2.4 Third jersey 1.2.5 Missing the playoffs 1.2.6 2002–03 and new ownership 1.2.7 2003–04 1.2.8 2004–05 1.2.9 2005–06 1.2.10 2006–07 1.2.11 2007–08 2 Broadcasters 3 Season-by-season record 4 Players 4.1 Current roster 4.2 Team captains 4.3 Honored Members 4.4 First-round draft picks 4.5 Franchise scoring leaders 5 NHL awards and trophies 6 Franchise individual records 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

History

Founding

The Sabres, along with the Vancouver Canucks, joined the NHL in the 1970–71 season. The Vancouver Canucks are a Professional Ice hockey team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The 1970–71 NHL season was the 54th season of the National Hockey League. Their first owners were Seymour Knox III and Northrup Knox, scions of a family long prominent in Western New York. This is about the hockey-team owner For similar names see Seymour Knox. Northrup R Knox (born December 24 1928 in Buffalo New York – died July 15, 1998 East Aurora New York) was a Western New York refers to the westernmost region of New York State. Buffalo had long been a hotbed for hockey. The Buffalo Bisons had been one of the pillars of the American Hockey League (AHL), winning the Calder Cup in their final season. For other teams named Buffalo Bisons see Buffalo Bisons (disambiguation The Buffalo Bisons were an American Hockey League American Hockey Association (1926–1942The American Hockey League (AHL is a Professional Ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League.

Wanting a different name other than "bison" that was so common among Buffalo sports teams, the Knoxes immediately commissioned a name-the-team contest. The winning choice, "Sabres," was chosen because Seymour Knox felt a sabre was a weapon carried by a leader. He also noted that a sabre is swift and strong on offense as well as defense. The Knoxes had tried twice before to get an NHL team, first when the NHL expanded in 1967, and then unsuccessfully attempting to buy the Oakland Seals with the intent of moving them to Buffalo. The National Hockey League (NHL undertook a major expansion for the 1967-68 season, adding six new franchises and doubling the size of the league The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League (NHL from 1967-76 At the time of their creation, the Sabres exercised their option to create their own AHL farm team, the Cincinnati Swords. In sports a farm team, feeder team or nursery club, generally refers to a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players with an The Cincinnati Swords are a defunct American Hockey League team founded in 1971 when the newly created NHL Expansion team, Buffalo Sabres

French Connection

Main article: The French Connection (hockey)

The Sabres, playing their first of many seasons at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, got off to a good start before they even hit the ice when they, despite being disputed by the Vancouver Canucks, and by spinning a roulette wheel, won the NHL draft lottery, and picked future Hockey Hall of Fame center Gilbert Perreault first overall in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft. The French Connection was a line of professional Ice hockey forwards who played together for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League Buffalo Memorial Auditorium (also known as The Aud) was an indoor arena in downtown Buffalo New York. Roulette is a Casino and Gambling game named after the French word meaning "small wheel" The Hockey Hall of Fame ( Temple de la renommée du hockey in French) is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Centre ( center in the USA) in Ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice Gilbert Perreault (born November 13 1950 in Victoriaville, Quebec) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey centre who played The 1970 NHL Amateur Draft was held on June 11 1970 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Perreault was available to the Sabres, as this was the first year that the Montreal Canadiens did not have a priority right to draft Québécois junior players. The Montreal Canadiens (Les Canadiens de Montréal are a professional Ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. A Québécois or Quebecois (pronounced) or in the feminine Québécoise (pronounced) (plural Québécoises) is a native or resident of the Perreault scored 38 goals in his rookie season of 1970–71, at the time a record for most goals scored by a rookie in the NHL, and was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year. The 1970–71 NHL season was the 54th season of the National Hockey League. The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League Despite Perreault's star play, the Sabres did not make the playoffs.

In the team's second season, 1971–72, rookie Rick Martin, drafted fifth overall by Buffalo in 1971, and Rene Robert, acquired in a late-season trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins, joined Perreault and would become one of the league's top forward lines in the 1970s. The 1971–72 NHL season was the 55th season of the National Hockey League. Rick Martin (born 26 July, 1951 in Verdun, Quebec, Canada) is a retired Professional Ice hockey winger who played in the The 1971 NHL Amateur Draft was held on June 10 1971 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal Quebec, Canada. René Robert (born 31 December, 1948 in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada) is a retired Professional Ice hockey right winger The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional Ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Martin broke Perreault's record at once with 44 rookie goals. For the Walt Disney Pictures film about Jim Morris, see The Rookie (2002 movie. They were nicknamed "The French Connection" after the movie of the same name and in homage to their French-Canadian roots. The French Connection was a line of professional Ice hockey forwards who played together for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League For other uses see The French Connection. The French Connection is a 1971 Hollywood Crime film directed The Sabres made the playoffs for the first time in 1972–73, just the team's third year in the league, but lost in the quarterfinals in six games to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens. The 1972–73 NHL season was the 56th season of the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup (La Coupe Stanley is an Ice hockey club championship Trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL playoffs champion The Montreal Canadiens (Les Canadiens de Montréal are a professional Ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Game 6 at the Aud ended with the fans serenading their team in a chant of "Thank you Sabres! Thank you Sabres!", a moment many consider to be the greatest in team history.

Fog and the bat

After a subpar year in 1974 that saw them miss the playoffs, the Sabres finished in a tie for the best record in the NHL in the 1974–75 regular season. The 1973–74 NHL season was the 57th season of the National Hockey League. The 1974–75 NHL season was the 58th season of the National Hockey League. Buffalo would advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in team history to play against the rough Philadelphia Flyers (who had been recently nicknamed the "Broad Street Bullies"), a series which included the legendary Fog Game (game three of the series). The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional Ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Due to unusual heat in Buffalo in May 1975, portions of the game were played in heavy fog. Players, officials, and the puck were invisible to many spectators. During a face-off and through the fog, Sabres center Jim Lorentz spotted a bat flying across the rink, raised his stick, and killed it. James "Jim" Lorentz (Born May 1, 1947, in Waterloo, Ontario) is a retired Canadian Professional Ice hockey Many superstitious Buffalo fans considered this to be an "Evil Omen," pertaining to the result of the series. Superstition ( Latin superstitio, literally "standing over" derived perhaps from standing in awe used in Latin as a unreasonable or excessive belief An omen (also called portent or presage) is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the Future, often signifying the advent of change It was the only time that any player killed an animal during an NHL game. The Sabres won that game thanks to Rene Robert's goal in overtime. However, Philadelphia would wind up taking the Cup Final to six games, winning the series 4 games to 2. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə

The French Connection, joined by 50–goal scorer Danny Gare, continued to score prolifically for the Sabres in 1975–76, but the team lost in the quarterfinals to the New York Islanders. Danny Gare (born May 14, 1954 in Nelson British Columbia, Canada) is a retired National Hockey League (NHL player most notably The 1975–76 NHL season was the 59th season of the National Hockey League. The New York Islanders are a professional Ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. The Sabres continued to coast through the late 1970s behind the French Connection of Perreault, Martin, Robert, and Gare, but they were unable to return to the Final despite a regular season Conference championship in 1980 and being the first team to beat the Soviet Olympic team when they toured the United States. The 1979–80 NHL season was the 63rd season of the National Hockey League. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the

Leaving the Aud

The 1995–96 season was the first season under coach Ted Nolan and the last for the Sabres at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, or the Aud. The 1995–96 NHL season was the 79th Regular season of the National Hockey League. Ted Nolan (Born - April 7, 1958 on the Garden River Ojibwa First Nation Reserve outside of Sault Ste Buffalo Memorial Auditorium (also known as The Aud) was an indoor arena in downtown Buffalo New York. Nolan brought an exciting brand of hockey to Buffalo. During his coaching tenure, his Sabres were referred to as the "hardest-working team in hockey". ^[1]Even though the Sabres failed to have success in the win column and played before an average of only a little over 13,000 fans, fourth-fewest in the history of the team at the Aud, the fans had a special love affair with the team. Brad May, Rob Ray and Matthew Barnaby became the 1990s version of the characters from the movie Slap Shot, "The Hanson Brothers. Brad May (born November 29, 1971 in Toronto, Ontario) is an Ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Rob Ray, (born June 8 1968 is a retired Ice hockey player He was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy by the National Hockey League Matthew Barnaby (b May 4 1973 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) is a retired NHL right winger. Slap Shot is a 1977 film starring Paul Newman and Michael Ontkean and directed by George Roy Hill. " This season also featured the debut of "walk-on" veteran player Randy Burridge. Randall "Stump" Burridge (born January 7 1966 in Fort Erie, Ontario) is a retired professional Ice hockey player After attending training camp on a try-out basis, Burridge earned a spot on the roster. He scored 25 goals that season and was second in team scoring to Pat LaFontaine. Burridge also earned the Tim Horton Award for being the unsung hero and was voted team Most Valuable Player.

1996–97—2005–06: Black and red era

New arena and new attitude

Nolan and the Sabres rebounded in 96–97, their first at Marine Midland Arena, by winning the Northeast Division (their first division title in sixteen years), with Nolan winning the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's top coach, Dominik Hasek winning both the Hart and Vezina Trophies (the first goaltender to do so since Montreal's Jacques Plante in 1962), Michael Peca taking home the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL, and general manager John Muckler honored as Executive of the Year. The 1996–97 NHL season was the 80th Regular season of the National Hockey League. The Jack Adams Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League coach "adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success Dominik Hašek (ˈdomɪnɪk ˈɦaʃɛk in Czech born January 29 1965 is a Czech retired Ice hockey Goaltender. The Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, the "oldest and most prestigious individual award in hockey" is awarded annually to the Michael Anthony Peca (born March 26, 1974 in Toronto Ontario) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey forward and an The Frank J Selke Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game John "Mucks" Muckler (born April 13, 1934) was most recently the General Manager of the Ottawa Senators NHL Ice hockey Club

However, the regular season success was all overshadowed by what had taken place during the playoffs. Tensions between Nolan and Hasek had been high for most of the season, however, after being scored upon in game three of the first-round against the Ottawa Senators, Hasek left the game, forcing backup Steve Shields to step in. The Ottawa Senators (Les Sénateurs d'Ottawa are a professional Ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Steve Shields (born July 19, 1972 in North Bay, Ontario) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey Goaltender. Hasek claimed he felt his knee pop, and the team doctor pronounced him day-to-day. Buffalo News columnist Jim Kelley wrote a column that night for the next day's newspaper that detailed the day's events, which irked Hasek. Not to be confused with Jim Kelly, James P Kelley or various people named James Kelly. After the Senators won game five, Hasek came out of the Sabres' training room and physically attacked Kelley, tearing his shirt. Despite issuing an apology, things went downhill afterwards. Shields starred as the Sabres rallied to win the series against Ottawa. Ottawa (ˈɒtəwə or sometimes /ˈɒtəwɑː/ is the Capital of Canada and the country's fourth largest municipality. But before the next series against the Philadelphia Flyers, the NHL announced that Hasek had been suspended for three games — with the Sabres informing the league that Hasek was healthy (Hasek most likely would not have been suspended had he not been cleared to play). The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional Ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Set to return in game four with the team down by three games in the series, Hasek told the Sabres' coaching staff he felt a twinge in his knee and left the ice after the pregame skate. Shields turned in another season-saving performance as Buffalo staved off the almost inevitable sweeping elimination with a win. Again before the fifth game, Hasek declared himself unfit to play and Buffalo lost 6–3, losing the series in five games.

New owners

Despite the infighting, the season was a fitting tribute to Seymour Knox, who died on May 22, 1996. Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) During the season, his brother Northrop sold the team to Adelphia Communications. Adelphia Communications Corporation, named after the Greek word "brothers" was the fifth largest cable company in the United States before filing for Bankruptcy

Timothy Rigas, son of Adelphia founder John Rigas, took over as team president. John J Rigas (born November 14, 1924 in Wellsville New York) was one of the founders of Adelphia Communications Corporation, which at its peak His first act was to fire general manager John Muckler, who had a noted feud with Nolan. John "Mucks" Muckler (born April 13, 1934) was most recently the General Manager of the Ottawa Senators NHL Ice hockey Club All-Star goaltender Hasek, who supported Muckler, openly told reporters at the NHL Awards Ceremony that he did not respect Nolan, placing new GM Darcy Regier in a tough position. Darcy John Regier (born November 27, 1956 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan) is the current General manager of the Buffalo Sabres of He offered Nolan just a one-year contract for a reported $500,000. Nolan refused on the grounds that his previous contract was for two years, before he was Coach of the Year. Regier then pulled the contract off the table and didn't offer another one, ending Nolan's tenure as Sabres coach. Nolan was offered several jobs from the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders, which he turned down, and was out of the NHL until June 2006 when he was named coach of the Islanders. The Tampa Bay Lightning is a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa Florida. The New York Islanders are a professional Ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. After Nolan, former Sabres captain Lindy Ruff, Buffalo's current bench boss, was hired as head coach on July 21, 1997, agreeing to a three-year deal. Lindy Cameron Ruff (Born February 17, 1960 in Warburg, Alberta) is Head coach of the Buffalo Sabres and former left winger Events 356 BC - Herostratus sets fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar

Seemingly in the blink of an eye, the Sabres organization, after having their most successful season in nearly two decades, had now rid itself of both the reigning NHL Executive (Muckler) and Coach of the Year (Nolan).

Behind Hasek, left-winger Miroslav Satan (who led the team in scoring), right-winger Donald Audette, center Michael Peca, and several role-playing journeymen including pest Matthew Barnaby, the Sabres reached the Conference Final in 1998, but lost to the Washington Capitals in six games. Miroslav Šatan (born October 22, 1974 in Jacovce, Czechoslovakia) is a professional Ice hockey player who plays for the Pittsburgh Donald Audette (born - September 23, 1969 in Laval, Quebec) is a Canadian former professional Ice hockey forward who In Ice hockey, a pest (also known as an "agitator" is a type of player who attempts to annoy anger or distract opposing players in order to reduce their effectiveness The 1997–98 NHL season was the 81st Regular season of the National Hockey League. For the BAA team see Washington Capitols. For the ABA team see Washington Caps.

"No Goal!"

In 1999, Miroslav Satan scored 40 goals. The 1998–99 NHL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Hockey League. The Sabres would add centers Stu Barnes from the Pittsburgh Penguins and Joe Juneau from the Capitals. Stuart Barnes (born December 25, 1970 in Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada) is an Assistant coach with the Dallas Stars of The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional Ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This article is about the ice hockey player Joé Juneau For information about the prospector and co-founder of Juneau Alaska, United States, see Joe For the BAA team see Washington Capitols. For the ABA team see Washington Caps. Michal Grosek had the best season of his career, and the team finally returned to the Stanley Cup Finals, this time against the Dallas Stars. Michal Grošek (born June 1, 1975 in Vyškov, Czechoslovakia) is a Professional Ice hockey right winger who currently The Dallas Stars are a National Hockey League team based in Dallas Texas.

In the sixth game, Dallas Stars winger Brett Hull's triple-overtime goal — as Hull's skate was visibly in Hasek's crease — ended the series, and the Stars were awarded the Cup. The Dallas Stars are a National Hockey League team based in Dallas Texas. In certain sports such as football, Field hockey, Ice hockey, handball, Rugby union, and Rugby league, the term winger Brett Andrew Hull (born August 9, 1964 in Belleville, Ontario and raised in Chicago, Winnipeg and Vancouver) is a In 1999, it was illegal to score a goal if an offensive player's skate entered the crease before the puck did. At the time, even Dallas Morning News hockey writer Keith Gave(a lifelong Red Wings fan who had just been employed by Dallas) questioned the legality of the goal. The Dallas Morning News is the major daily Newspaper serving the Dallas, Texas ( USA) area with a circulation of around a half-million Keith Gave is a former sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press and Dallas Morning News reporter who is infamous for questioning the legality of the Dallas NHL officials, however, maintained that Hull's two shots in the goal mouth constituted a single possession of the puck since the puck deflected off Hasek, and their ruling stood, citing that they "were going to change the rule the following year anyway. " It is widely speculated that, by the time the Sabres mentioned the foul, the red carpet had already been unrolled at center ice, and the officials refused to acknowledge the non-call. red Carpet is traditionally used to welcome VIPs such as dignitaries and celebrities at formal events ESPN's "Page2" staff has ranked the call as the fifth worst officiating call in sports history. ESPN, originally an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American Cable television network dedicated to Page 2 is a feature section of ESPNcom. The section contains humorous opinionated articles on American sport and regular contributors including "The Sports Guy" ^[2] Conversely, Al Strachan of the Toronto Sun wrote "There should have been no controversy whatsoever. The Toronto Sun is an English language daily tabloid Newspaper published in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. When Hull first kicked the rebound on to his stick, he had neither foot in the crease. At the instant he kicked the puck, he became in control of it. It was only in the follow-through of that kick that his left foot moved into the crease. "^[3] Buffalo sports fans, who have suffered through some of the biggest misfortunes in sports history (such as "Wide Right" and "Music City Miracle"), refer to the game as "No Goal," a phrase still used in western New York to this day. Wide Right or 47 wide right describes kicker Scott Norwood 's missed 47-yard field goal attempt during Super Bowl XXV The Music City Miracle is one of the most famous and exciting plays in the history of the NFL. The 1999 Stanley Cup Finals were played in the 106th year of the Stanley Cup. The rule was changed for the following season, allowing players to be inside the goaltender's crease as long as they do not interfere with the goalie.

The next year was a disappointing season. The team struggled in the regular season, due to injuries to Hasek as well as other tired and discouraged players. Doug Gilmour was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline and sparked the Sabres to a playoff berth. Douglas Robert Gilmour (born June 25, 1963 in Kingston, Ontario) is a retired professional Ice hockey player and current assistant However, Gilmour was stricken by stomach flu during the post-season and even the return of Hasek could not prevent their first-round playoff series loss to the Flyers. Like the previous season, there would be another officiating controversy. In game two high-flying Flyers' winger John LeClair put the puck in the net through a hole in the mesh. John Clark LeClair (born July 5 1969 in St Albans, United States) is an American professional Ice hockey player While replays appeared to showed the puck going in through the side of the net, the goal was allowed to stand. The Flyers would win the game 2–1 and go on to win the series 4–1.

Captain Michael Peca sat out 2000–01 due to a contract dispute, and eventually was traded to the Islanders in June 2001 for Tim Connolly and Taylor Pyatt. In Ice hockey, each team has a designated captain, who normally wears a "C" on his or her jersey. The 2000–01 NHL season was the 84th Regular season of the National Hockey League. Tim Connolly (born May 7, 1981 in Baldwinsville, New York) is an American Ice hockey player with the Buffalo Sabres Taylor Pyatt (born August 19, 1981 in Thunder Bay, Ontario) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey player with the Even so, the Sabres still defeated the high-seeded Flyers in six games in the first round of the playoffs (with a resounding 8–0 victory in the series-winning game). In the second round, they faced the underdog Penguins led by rejuvenated superstar Mario Lemieux and captain Jaromir Jagr, who had won his 5th Art Ross Trophy that season, losing on a seventh-game overtime goal scored by defenseman Darius Kasparaitis. Mario Lemieux (born October 5, 1965 is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey centre who played 17 seasons for the Pittsburgh Penguins Jaromír Jágr ( pronounced, born February 15 1972 in Kladno, Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic) is a professional Ice hockey The Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League player who leads the league in scoring points at the end of the regular season Darius Kasparaitis (Darius Kasparaitis born October 16, 1972 in Elektrėnai, Lithuania is an ethnic Lithuanian Russian

Third jersey

The first third Jersey of the Buffalo Sabres was created in 2000. A third jersey or alternate jersey is a sports team's alternate design for the previously established other two jerseys The primary color was Sabre red, with black and gray stripes on the sleeves. It also featured the word "Buffalo" written on a black stripe outlined by gray near the waist. The logo was a black circle with two sabres crossing each other. The third jersey ran from 2000–2006 when the red jersey was retired. With the return to blue and gold came the return of the original Sabres Jersey which was worn from 1970–96. The Sabres in 2006 made the original blue jersey their new third jersey.

Missing the playoffs

After lengthy, and failed, negotiations with their star goaltender, the Sabres traded Hasek to the Detroit Red Wings in the summer of 2001. The Detroit Red Wings are a professional Ice hockey team based in Detroit Michigan, and current Stanley Cup champions Without Hasek and Peca, the Sabres missed the 2002 playoffs. The 2001–02 NHL season was the 85th Regular season of the National Hockey League.

In the summer of 2002, John Rigas and his sons were arrested for bank, wire, and securities fraud for embezzling more than $2 billion from Adelphia (Rigas eventually was convicted and presently is appealing a sentence of 15 years in prison). The league took control of the team, though the Rigas family remained owners on paper. The affair came as something of an embarrassment to the NHL. Only five years earlier, it had tightened its standards for vetting prospective owners after seeing John Spano buy the New York Islanders only to discover he'd grossly inflated his net worth and committed massive bank and wire fraud. John A Spano Jr (born May 31, 1964) is a businessman and Swindler who briefly bought control of the NHL 's New York Islanders in The New York Islanders are a professional Ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York.

For a while, there were no interested buyers. Attendance sagged, and it looked like the Sabres would either move or fold. The leading candidate was Mark Hamister, a local businessman who owned the Arena Football League's Buffalo Destroyers. The Arena Football League (AFL was founded in 1987 as an American football indoor league. The Columbus Destroyers are an Arena Football League team The Destroyers franchise was founded in Buffalo New York in 1999, and have played in Columbus Hamister was the personal choice of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Gary Bruce Bettman (born June 2 1952 in Queens, New York) is the commissioner of the National Hockey League (NHL a post he has held since However, over time it became obvious that Hamister's financial assets were highly suspect and that his bid was heavily dependent upon government financing. It also became known that Hamister had won an expansion af2 team in Dayton, Ohio and got numerous concessions from local government, but moved them to Cincinnati before they had ever played their first game in Dayton. af2 (short for arenafootball2) is the name of the Arena Football League 's Minor league, which started play in 2000. Dayton is a city in southwestern Ohio, United States. It is the County seat and largest city of Montgomery County. He was also considering moving the Destroyers (and as it turned out, did — to Columbus, Ohio). Columbus is the Capital and the largest city of the US state of Ohio. Under pressure from fans concerned that Hamister might move the Sabres, state officials scuttled a critical incentive package, effectively killing his bid.

Another group who showed interest in the Sabres was headed by Sherry Bassin, co-owner of the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters, and included Alain Maislin, a Montreal trucking magnate, and Frank DuRoss, owner of the Rochester Raging Rhinos USL soccer team. Former Sabres coach Ted Nolan was a friend of Bassin, and there was speculation that he would be rehired as Sabres coach if Bassin assumed ownership. Ted Nolan (Born - April 7, 1958 on the Garden River Ojibwa First Nation Reserve outside of Sault Ste However, this partnership dissolved without ever making a formal offer to the NHL.

2002–03 and new ownership

With the season beginning under league control, general manager Darcy Regier would make minimal moves that could bolster the last placed Sabres. Darcy John Regier (born November 27, 1956 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan) is the current General manager of the Buffalo Sabres of However, with the consultations of impending new ownership, the team began their rebuilding process around the trade deadline of March 10, 2003 by clearing out veteran players. Events 241 BC - First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates Islands - The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet bringing Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The first to go was long-time winger Rob Ray who was sent to Ottawa. Rob Ray, (born June 8 1968 is a retired Ice hockey player He was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy by the National Hockey League The team then sent center and team captain Stu Barnes to the Dallas Stars for young winger Michael Ryan and a draft pick. Stuart Barnes (born December 25, 1970 in Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada) is an Assistant coach with the Dallas Stars of The Dallas Stars are a National Hockey League team based in Dallas Texas. Michael Ryan (born May 16, 1980 in Boston, Massachusetts, US) is an American Ice hockey forward. The third deal that was completed at that time sent center Chris Gratton to the Phoenix Coyotes with a draft pick for a younger center, Daniel Briere and a draft pick. Christopher Gratton (born July 5, 1975 in Brantford, Ontario) is a professional ice hockey player with the Tampa Bay Lightning of The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional Ice hockey team based in Glendale Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. Daniel Brière (born October 6, 1977, in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada) is a French Canadian professional Ice hockey The trade of Barnes was widely believed to be a show of gratitude, to get him to a team that was a playoff contender. However, the move was a surprise to Barnes, who had become a fan favorite with the help of Sabres' broadcaster Rick Jeanneret's calls of "Stuuuuuuuuuu Barnes. Rick Jeanneret (Born 1942 in St Catharines, Ontario, Canada) is the television and radio Play-by-play announcer for the National Hockey . . top shelf where momma hides the cookies!", and variations of that call after Barnes would score for the Sabres. Barnes stated that he had wanted to stay in Buffalo and broke down in tears in front of the assembled media after receiving word of his trade.

After the two year period of uncertainty that left the Sabres franchise in limbo, the team was sold to Rochester, New York billionaire and former New York gubernatorial candidate Tom Golisano, whose bid included no government funding. Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York State, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Blase Thomas Golisano (born 1942 is an American Billionaire Businessman and the founder of Paychex, the second-largest Payroll Golisano was introduced as team owner on March 19, 2003. Golisano immediately drew the attention of fans with lowered ticket prices. This shrewd move to attract a larger fanbase, however, proved to be under false pretenses. Golisano has been apprehensive to lock up the core group of players from the Sabres President's Cup winning team. Daniel Briere and Chris Drury both left via free agency following the season, signing with Philadelphia and New York, respectively. After Tomas Vanek received an offer sheet from the Edmonton Oilders, the Sabres were forced to match or fear losing another top flight player. Vanek signed a 8 year, 50 million dollar contract, ensuring his stay in Buffalo.

2003–04

The team emerged from its struggles, and the Sabres narrowly missed the playoffs, which saw the debuts and/or development of prominent young players such as Daniel Briere. Daniel Brière (born October 6, 1977, in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada) is a French Canadian professional Ice hockey One memorable moment in 2003–04 was on New Year's Eve 2003, when Maxim Afinogenov and Miroslav Satan both scored hat tricks against the Washington Capitals at home. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Maxim Sergeyevich Afinogenov (Максим Сергеевич Афиногенов Maksim Sergejevič Afinogenov, ˈmæk Miroslav Šatan (born October 22, 1974 in Jacovce, Czechoslovakia) is a professional Ice hockey player who plays for the Pittsburgh A hat-trick in Sports is associated with succeeding at anything three times in three consecutive attempts For the BAA team see Washington Capitols. For the ABA team see Washington Caps. The Sabres won a sound 7–1.

2004–05

The NHL canceled the 2004–05 NHL season due to a labor dispute; however, the league and the NHL Players Association were able to devise a new Collective Bargaining Agreement in the summer of 2005, thus enabling NHL hockey to return for the 2005–06 season. The 2004–05 NHL season was the 88th Regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL The 2004–05 NHL lockout resulted in the cancellation of what would have been the 88th season of the National Hockey League (NHL The 2005–06 NHL season was the 88th season of the National Hockey League.

On January 19, 2005, the Sabres lost their main cable television broadcaster, as the Empire Sports Network (which had been on the air from 1991 to 2005) ceased operations as a cost cutting move during the Adelphia scandal and reorganization (Empire, like the Sabres, had been owned by Adelphia). Events 1419 - Hundred Years' War: Rouen surrenders to Henry V of England completing his reconquest of Normandy. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Empire Sports Network was a Regional sports network on Cable television which served Upstate New York from Buffalo to Albany, Adelphia sold their rights to Sabres telecasts to accommodate that move. For the 2005–06 campaign, the Madison Square Garden Network (MSG), a New York City-based channel which mostly broadcasts New York Rangers games, took the rights to broadcast Sabres games to television viewers in western New York. The Madison Square Garden Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic and focused on New York The City of New York The New York Rangers are a professional Ice hockey team based in New York, New York, United States. Western New York refers to the westernmost region of New York State. The agreement has since been re-upped through 2016.

2005–06

Main article: 2005–06 Buffalo Sabres season

In 2005–06, the Sabres raced to a hot start and stayed near the top of the standings all season long, finishing with their best season in over twenty years. The Buffalo Sabres 2005–06 Season not only saw the team advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2000–01 season, On April 3, they clinched their first Eastern Conference playoff spot since the 2000–01 season. Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. The team finished the regular season with 53 wins, surpassing the 50–win mark for the first time in franchise history. They also finished with 110 points, their first 100–point season in 23 years and tied the 1979–80 club for the second-best point total in franchise history. The Sabres tied the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes for the most wins in the Eastern Conference. The Ottawa Senators (Les Sénateurs d'Ottawa are a professional Ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional Ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They finished with the fifth-best record in the league, behind Detroit, Ottawa, Dallas and Carolina. However, the Sabres were seeded fourth in the Eastern Conference playoffs--behind Ottawa, Carolina and the New Jersey Devils--as they dropped their division to the Senators. The New Jersey Devils are a professional Ice hockey team based in Newark New Jersey. The Sabres also finished with 25 road wins, another franchise record.

Buffalo defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in the first-round of the 2006 Playoffs in six games. The 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the National Hockey League began on April 21, 2006, following the 2005–06 regular season. The Sabres on two occasions, showing their offensive prowess, scored seven or more goals in the series. In the second round of the playoffs, the Sabres defeated the top-seeded Sens in five games. Three of the victories came in overtime, including the series-clinching game five, which was won on a short-handed goal by Jason Pominville[1]Video] to send Buffalo to the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes. Shorthanded is a term used in Ice hockey and refers to having fewer skaters on the ice during play as a result of a penalty. Jason JohnPominville (born November 30, 1982 in Repentigny, Quebec, Canada) is a Professional Ice hockey right The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional Ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was the first time in NHL history that a series had been decided on a short-handed goal.

Despite being without some or all of their four top defensemen (Teppo Numminen, Dmitri Kalinin and Henrik Tallinder), and their top power play scorer, Tim Connolly, for much of the series, the Sabres fought back from a three-games-to-two deficit to force a seventh game by way of a 2–1 OT win in game six. Teppo Numminen (born July 3, 1968 in Tampere, Finland) is a Professional hockey defenceman for the Dmitri Vladimirovich Kalinin (Дмитрий Владимирович Калинин born July 22, 1980 in Chelyabinsk, USSR) is a Henrik Tallinder (born January 10, 1979 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Professional Ice hockey defenseman who currently plays Tim Connolly (born May 7, 1981 in Baldwinsville, New York) is an American Ice hockey player with the Buffalo Sabres In the deciding game, the Sabres were without their number one shot blocker (Jay McKee). Jay McKee (born September 8, 1977, Kingston, Ontario) is an Ice hockey defenceman who plays for the St After Jochen Hecht scored from behind the net with 4 seconds left in the 2nd period, They led the Hurricanes 2–1 going into the final period. But blew the lead early in the third and gave up two more late goals for a 4–2 final score. The game-winning goal was scored on the power play by Hurricanes captain Rod Brind'Amour after Brian Campbell was called for a delay of game penalty. Rod Jean Brind'Amour (born August 9, 1970 in Ottawa, Ontario) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey forward and team Brian Wesley Campbell (born on May 23, 1979, Strathroy, Ontario) is a professional Ice hockey defenceman who currently plays Injuries took their tool on the sabres, as their 4 regular defensman were out with injuries. The 'Canes went on to defeat the Edmonton Oilers in seven games, winning the Stanley Cup. The Edmonton Oilers are a professional Ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Stanley Cup (La Coupe Stanley is an Ice hockey club championship Trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL playoffs champion The Sabres finished the playoffs with the most last-minute goals in the 2006 playoffs.

The Sabres' better-than-expected season was recognized on June 22, 2006 at the NHL Awards Ceremony, when Lindy Ruff edged Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette 155 votes to 154 to win the Jack Adams Award as Coach of the Year. Events 217 BC - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Lindy Cameron Ruff (Born February 17, 1960 in Warburg, Alberta) is Head coach of the Buffalo Sabres and former left winger Peter Laviolette Jr (born December 7, 1964 in Norwood Massachusetts, U The Jack Adams Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League coach "adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success It was the closest vote in the award's history. After Nolan, Ruff is the second Sabres coach to win the award.

2006–07

Main article: 2006–07 Buffalo Sabres season

On September 16, the Sabres unveiled new home and away jerseys featuring midnight blue, maize(gold), silver, and white colors, along with third jerseys featuring the Sabres original blue jersey at an open practice at HSBC Arena. The Buffalo Sabres 2006–07 Season began with the team attempting to rebound from a disappointing end to the 2005–06 season, in which the Sabres advanced Events 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr is declared Prince of Wales by his followers The new logo, a stylized bison, has been compared to Donald Trump's hair, Pikachu, a hamster or more commonly a banana slug, with some in the area even giving it the name "Sluggalo" or "Buffaslug". Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American Business magnate, Socialite, Television personality, and is one of the fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the multi-billion-dollar Pokémon Media franchise &mdasha collection of Video Hamsters are Rodents belonging to the Subfamily Cricetinae. The subfamily contains about 18 Species, classified in six or seven genera Banana slugs are any Species of the pulmonate Gastropod Genus Ariolimax, (literally " Arion 's slug" An online petition against the new logo had eclipsed the 30,000 signature mark by that point, indicating that growing numbers of Sabres fans hadn't accepted the logo. Despite that, the team's jersey featuring the new logo topped sales of NHL merchandise. Sabres Managing Partner Larry Quinn (hockey), when asked about the reaction of the fans said, "I can make a promise to our fans, if we're in the deciding game of the Stanley Cup, that old blue and gold jersey is going to be worn if we're at home, so we'll have the opportunity to win the Cup with it. And I've also asked the league if we can wear our white vintage and they're looking to see if we can. "^[4]

The new jerseys also featured numbers on the front of the jersey, which hadn't been seen in the NHL since the 1949–50 NHL season. The 1949–50 NHL season was the 33rd season of the National Hockey League. Dallas, the New York Islanders, San Jose, and Tampa Bay would also add front numbers in the 2007–08 NHL season. The Dallas Stars are a National Hockey League team based in Dallas Texas. The New York Islanders are a professional Ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. The San Jose Sharks are a professional Ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. The Tampa Bay Lightning is a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa Florida. The 2007–08 NHL season was the 90th season of the National Hockey League.

The jersey's unveiling overshadowed the beginning of the team's training camp, opening with the most expensive group of Sabres to date. The team's payroll was over the league salary cap of $44 million US. Even at that price tag they were forced to let some key figures (Jay McKee, J.P. Dumont and Mike Grier) from their 2006 playoff run, and move on. Jay McKee (born September 8, 1977, Kingston, Ontario) is an Ice hockey defenceman who plays for the St Jean-Pierre "J P" Dumont (born April 1, 1978 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey Mike Grier (born January 5, 1975 in Detroit Michigan) is a professional Ice hockey forward for the San Jose Sharks of the National

On October 20, 2006, the Sabres defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in a 5–4 win, to set a new franchise record with their 12th consecutive regular-season victory. Events 1740 - Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The previous record was held by the 1974–75 team that won 11 straight games at the end of that season.

The Sabres started 10–0, not only setting a new franchise record for consecutive wins to start a season, but becoming just the second team in NHL history to open a season with a winning streak of ten games. The streak was ended on October 28, 2006, in a 5–4 shoot out loss to the Atlanta Thrashers. Events 306 - Maxentius is proclaimed Roman Emperor. 312 - Battle of Milvian Bridge: Constantine Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Atlanta Thrashers are a professional Ice hockey team based in Atlanta Georgia. The only other team to start a season with as many consecutive victories were the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1993–94, who also started 10–0. "Leafs" and "Maple Leafs" redirect here For the former American Hockey League team see St The 1993–94 NHL season was the 77th regular season of the National Hockey League.

On November 5, 2006 the Sabres defeated the New York Rangers in New York to set a new NHL record for consecutive road wins to start a season (eight), which was extended to ten games (tying the team record for consecutive road wins) with a 7–4 win over the 2005–06 Stanley Cup Champion Hurricanes on November 13, 2006. Events 1499 - Publication of the Catholicon in Treguier ( Brittany) Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1002 - English king Ethelred orders the killing of all Danes in England, known today as the St Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. It ended on November 18, 2006 with a 4–1 loss at Ottawa to the Senators. Events 326 - The old St Peter's Basilica is consecrated 1302 - Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

Three Buffalo Sabres were voted by fans to be starters at the 2007 NHL All-Star Game in Dallas: goalie Ryan Miller, forward Daniel Briere, and defenseman Brian Campbell. The National Hockey League All-Star Game (Match des Étoiles de la Ligue Nationale de Hockey is an exhibition Ice hockey game that traditionally marks the midway Forward Thomas Vanek also participated in the NHL YoungStars Game. Briere won the All-Star MVP Award, tallying 1 goal and 4 assists. Lindy Ruff was the head coach for the Eastern Conference, who lost the game 12–9.

On February 22, 2007, in a 6–5 shootout win over the Ottawa Senators, the team was involved in a brawl after Senators winger Chris Neil hit Sabres captain Chris Drury, who was injured on the play. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Ottawa Senators (Les Sénateurs d'Ottawa are a professional Ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Chris Neil (born June 18 1979 in Markdale, Ontario) is a Canadian right winger for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey Christopher Drury (born August 20, 1976 in Trumbull, Connecticut) is a professional hockey player who is currently the captain of Some consider that the hit was late and from behind, though neither the referees nor the league penalized Neil. Despite Senator's coach Bryan Murray's insistence that his team was innocent, the melee was actually started with Heatley cross-checking Buffalo's Patrick Kaleta before the puck was dropped. Patrick Kałeta (born June 8, 1986, in Angola New York) is a professional Ice hockey right wing. The two had a minor scuffle, and were broken up by the officials. Both combatants remained on the ice. When the puck dropped, the main brawl began. The fight included Adam Mair immediately engaging Jason Spezza, Andrew Peters going after Dany Heatley, and both goalies, Martin Biron and Ray Emery fighting each other. Adam Mair (born February 15, 1979 in Hamilton, Ontario) is a Professional Ice hockey right wing who currently plays for Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza (born June 13 1983 in Mississauga, Ontario) is a professional Ice hockey centerman currently playing for the Andrew Peters (born May 5, 1980 in St Catharines, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian Ice hockey left winger who currently Daniel "Dany" James Heatley (born January 21 1981 in Freiburg im Breisgau, West Germany) is a Canadian professional hockey player Martin Gaston Biron (born August 15, 1977) is a Canadian Professional Ice hockey Goaltender who currently plays for the Raymond "Ray" Emery (born September 28 1982 in Hamilton, Ontario) is a professional Ice hockey Goaltender, currently playing for Peters then went after the Senators goalie Emery, while head coach Lindy Ruff argued with Senators coach Bryan Murray through the glass, with former Sabres enforcer Rob Ray's MSG microphone picking up Ruff telling his counterpart "don't go after my fucking captain". Lindy Cameron Ruff (Born February 17, 1960 in Warburg, Alberta) is Head coach of the Buffalo Sabres and former left winger Bryan Clarence Murray (Born December 5, 1942 in Shawville Quebec, Canada) is a Canadian Ice hockey general managerand Rob Ray, (born June 8 1968 is a retired Ice hockey player He was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy by the National Hockey League Over 100 penalty minutes were distributed and Ruff was fined $10,000 by the league. In an interesting turn of events, Sabres fans offered to raise money to pay Ruff's fine. Ruff thanked the fans for their support, but paid the fine on his own. Drury returned a few games later. The teams went back and forth for the remainder of the game, with Drew Stafford scoring the shootout winner for Buffalo. Drew Stafford (born October 30, 1985 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American Ice hockey forward On a related note, Clarke MacArthur, called up from Rochester due to injury, scored his first NHL goal in this game. Clarke MacArthur (born April 6, 1985 in Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada) is a Canadian Ice hockey centre.

On March 30, 2007, in a 6–4 defeat of the New York Islanders, the team won 50 games for the second time in franchise history. Events 240 BC - 1st recorded Perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The New York Islanders are a professional Ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. The Sabres scored 5 goals on the special teams, 3 power play goals by Chris Drury, Drew Stafford, and Dainius Zubrus, and 2 short handed goals by Drury and Derek Roy. Christopher Drury (born August 20, 1976 in Trumbull, Connecticut) is a professional hockey player who is currently the captain of Drew Stafford (born October 30, 1985 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American Ice hockey forward Dainius Zubrus (born June 16, 1978 in Elektrėnai, Lithuanian SSR) is a Lithuanian professional Ice hockey right winger Shorthanded is a term used in Ice hockey and refers to having fewer skaters on the ice during play as a result of a penalty. Derek Roy (born 4 May, 1983 in Ottawa, Ontario) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Buffalo

On April 3, 2007, in a 4–1 defeat of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Sabres clinched the Northeast Division crown and the best record in the Eastern Conference. Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

On April 7, 2007, in a 2–0 defeat of the Washington Capitals, the Buffalo Sabres won the President's Trophy for the first time in franchise history, giving the team the home ice advantage for their entire run in the 2006–2007 NHL playoffs. Events 529 - First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis (a fundamental work in Jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Roman Emperor Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Presidents' Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League (NHL to the team which finishes with the most points in the league during the regular They also tied the 1974–75 team's franchise record for points in a season.

In the April 9, 2007 issue of ESPN the Magazine, the Buffalo Sabres ranked first of 122 major professional sports franchises in North America. Events 193 - Septimius Severus is proclaimed Roman Emperor by the army in Illyricum (in the Balkans) Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ESPN The Magazine is a bi-weekly sports Magazine published by the ESPN sports network in Bristol CT in the United States. Buffalo was cited for its player accessibility, low ticket prices, and exciting brand of hockey. ^[5] Buffalo fans seem to have noticed, as the Sabres sold out every game for the 2007 season.

The Sabres defeated the New York Islanders and then the New York Rangers to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. The New York Islanders are a professional Ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. The New York Rangers are a professional Ice hockey team based in New York, New York, United States. On May 19, 2007 the Buffalo Sabres were eliminated by the Ottawa Senators after five games. Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Ottawa Senators (Les Sénateurs d'Ottawa are a professional Ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada The winning goal was scored in the first overtime by Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson at the 9:32 mark. Daniel Alfredsson (born December 11 1972 of Gothenburg, Sweden, is a professional Swedish Ice hockey player Coincidentally, Jason Pominville had beaten Alfredsson to score the clinching overtime goal over Ottawa in game five of the previous year's Eastern Conference Semi-finals. Jason JohnPominville (born November 30, 1982 in Repentigny, Quebec, Canada) is a Professional Ice hockey right

2007–08

The Sabres lost both of their co-captains, Daniel Briere (who went to the Philadelphia Flyers) and Chris Drury (who went to the New York Rangers) during the free agency period. The 2007–08 Buffalo Sabres season began on October 5 2007 It was the Buffalo Sabres ' 37th season in the National Hockey League. Daniel Brière (born October 6, 1977, in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada) is a French Canadian professional Ice hockey The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional Ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Christopher Drury (born August 20, 1976 in Trumbull, Connecticut) is a professional hockey player who is currently the captain of The New York Rangers are a professional Ice hockey team based in New York, New York, United States. The Sabres nearly lost Thomas Vanek to the Edmonton Oilers who offered him a seven-year, $50 million offer sheet, but the Sabres matched the offer on July 6. Thomas Vanek (born January 19, 1984 in Baden bei Wien, Austria) is an Austrian ice hockey player The Edmonton Oilers are a professional Ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England After these events, the team changed its policy of not negotiating contracts during the regular season. On October 16, 2007, they signed Jochen Hecht to a 4 year $14. Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Jochen Hecht (born June 21, 1977 in Mannheim, West Germany) is a forward and alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of 1 million dollar contract.

Long-time Sabres broadcast color commentator Jim Lorentz announced his retirement during the 07–08 preseason. James "Jim" Lorentz (Born May 1, 1947, in Waterloo, Ontario) is a retired Canadian Professional Ice hockey Hockey Night in Canada's Harry Neale took over the position in October of 2007. Harry Neale (born March 9, 1937 in Sarnia Ontario, Canada) is a Color commentator for the Buffalo Sabres, paired up with

The Sabres' January 1 home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins was played outdoors at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the National Football League's Buffalo Bills. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional Ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football Stadium located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo New York. The National Football League ( NFL) is the largest professional American football league. The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo New York Metropolitan area, playing seven of their home games in the suburb ^[6] Officially, the game was called the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic, but in Buffalo and the surrounding areas it was referred to as the "Ice Bowl". The Sabres lost 2–1 in a shootout.

The Sabres, like all of the NHL teams updated their jerseys as part of the league-wide switchover to Rbk Edge jerseys. The team did not make radical changes to the jersey design, adding an NHL crest below the neck opening. There will be no 'third jersey' this season, although the team wore the 1970s design for the January 1 outdoor game. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC

With a 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on April 3, 2008 that eliminated the Sabres out of playoff contention, they became only the third team in NHL history to go from finishing first overall in the regular season standings to finishing out of the playoffs the following year. The Montreal Canadiens (Les Canadiens de Montréal are a professional Ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America Both of the previous two teams to do so ended up winning the Stanley Cup the following year.

On June 10, 2008, The Sabres replaced the Rochester Americans as their minor-league AHL affiliate team with the Portland Pirates in Portland, Maine. The Rochester Americans are an Ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The Portland Pirates are a minor professional Ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. ^[7].

Broadcasters

Rick Jeanneret TV Play-by-Play
Harry Neale TV Color Analyst
Rob Ray Studio Host
Kevin Sylvester Studio Host
Mike Robitaille Studio Host

Season-by-season record

This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Sabres. Rick Jeanneret (Born 1942 in St Catharines, Ontario, Canada) is the television and radio Play-by-play announcer for the National Hockey Harry Neale (born March 9, 1937 in Sarnia Ontario, Canada) is a Color commentator for the Buffalo Sabres, paired up with Rob Ray, (born June 8 1968 is a retired Ice hockey player He was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy by the National Hockey League Mike Robitaille (born February 12, 1948 in Midland, Ontario, Canada) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey For the full season-by-season history, see Buffalo Sabres seasons

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Records as of April 12, 2008. This is a list of seasons completed by the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. Events 467 - Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common ^[8]

Season	GP	W	L	T	OTL	Pts	GF	GA	PIM	Finish	Playoffs
2003–04	82	37	34	7	4	85	220	221	1289	5th, Northeast	Did not qualify
2004–05	Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout
2005–061	82	52	24	—	6	110	281	239	1144	2nd, Northeast	Lost in Conference Finals, 3–4 (Hurricanes)
2006–07	82	53	22	—	7	113	308	242	1177	1st, Northeast2	Lost in Conference Finals, 1–4 (Senators)
2007-08	82	39	31	—	12	90	255	242	1040	4th, Northeast	Did not qualify

¹ As of the 2005–06 NHL season, all games tied after regulation will be decided in a shootout; SOL (Shootout losses) will be recorded as OTL in the standings. The 2003–04 NHL season was the 87th Regular season of the National Hockey League. The 2004–05 NHL season was the 88th Regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL The 2004–05 NHL lockout resulted in the cancellation of what would have been the 88th season of the National Hockey League (NHL The 2005–06 NHL season was the 88th season of the National Hockey League. The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional Ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The 2006–07 NHL season was the 89th Regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL The Ottawa Senators (Les Sénateurs d'Ottawa are a professional Ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada The 2007–08 NHL season was the 90th season of the National Hockey League. The 2005–06 NHL season was the 88th season of the National Hockey League.

² Won Presidents' Trophy for best overall league record. The Presidents' Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League (NHL to the team which finishes with the most points in the league during the regular

Players

Current roster

As of April 3, 2008. Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common [2]

Goaltenders
#		Player	Catches	Acquired	Place of Birth
30		Ryan Miller	L	1999	East Lansing, Michigan
35		Jocelyn Thibault	L	2007	Montreal, Quebec

Defensemen
#		Player	Shoots	Acquired	Place of Birth
4		Nolan Pratt	L	2007	Fort McMurray, Alberta
5		Toni Lydman	L	2005	Lahti, Finland
6		Jaroslav Spacek	L	2006	Rokycany, Czechoslovakia
10		Henrik Tallinder	L	1997	Stockholm, Sweden
27		Teppo Numminen	R	2005	Tampere, Finland
34		Mike Weber	L	2005	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
38		Nathan Paetsch	L	2003	Leroy, Saskatchewan
44		Andrej Sekera	L	2004	Bojnice, Czechoslovakia
45		Dmitri Kalinin	L	1998	Chelyabinsk, U.S.S.R.

Forwards
#		Player	Position	Shoots	Acquired	Place of Birth
9		Derek Roy – A	C	L	2001	Ottawa, Ontario
12		Ales Kotalik	C/W	R	1998	Jindrichuv Hradec, Czechoslovakia
19		Tim Connolly	C	R	2001	Syracuse, New York
20		Daniel Paille	LW	L	2002	Welland, Ontario
21		Drew Stafford	RW	R	2004	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
22		Adam Mair	C/RW	R	2002	Hamilton, Ontario
26		Thomas Vanek	LW	R	2003	Vienna, Austria
28		Paul Gaustad	C/LW	L	2000	Fargo, North Dakota
29		Jason Pominville – C	RW	R	2001	Repentigny, Quebec
36		Patrick Kaleta	RW	R	2004	Buffalo, New York
37		Michael Ryan	C	L	2003	Boston, Massachusetts
55		Jochen Hecht – A	LW	L	2003	Mannheim, West Germany
56		Steve Bernier	RW	R	2008	Quebec City, Quebec
61		Maxim Afinogenov	RW	L	1997	Moscow, U.S.S.R.
76		Andrew Peters	LW	L	1998	St. Catharines, Ontario

Team captains

Floyd Smith, 1970–71 Gerry Meehan, 1971–74 Jim Schoenfeld, 1974–77 Danny Gare, 1977–82 Gilbert Perreault, 1982–87 Lindy Ruff, 1987–89 Mike Foligno, 1989–91 Mike Ramsey, 1991–92 Pat LaFontaine, 1992–97 Alexander Mogilny, 1993–94 (due to LaFontaine injury) Michael Peca, 1997–2000 No captain, 2000–01 Stu Barnes, 2001–03

Rotating captains, 2003–04 Miroslav Satan, October 2003 Chris Drury, November 2003 James Patrick, December 2003 J.P. Dumont, January 2004 Daniel Briere, February 2004 Chris Drury, March & April 2004 No captain, 2004–05 (Lockout) Co-captains, 2005–07 Daniel Briere, 2005–07 Chris Drury, 2005-07 Rotating captains, 2007–present Jochen Hecht, October 2007 Toni Lydman, November 2007 Brian Campbell, December 2007 Jaroslav Spacek, January 2008 Jochen Hecht, February 2008 Jason Pominville, March & April 2008

Honored Members

Hall of Famers

Players

• Dick Duff, C, 1970–72, inducted 2006
• Grant Fuhr, G, 1993–95, inducted 2003
• Clark Gillies, C, 1986–88, inducted 2002
• Tim Horton, D, 1972–74, inducted 1977
• Gilbert Perreault, C, 1970–87, inducted 1990
• Dale Hawerchuk, C, 1990–95, inducted 2001
• Pat LaFontaine, C, 1991–97, inducted 2003

Builders

• George "Punch" Imlach, Head coach/GM, 1970–78, inducted 1984
• Scotty Bowman, Head coach/GM, 1980–87, inducted 1991
• Seymour H. Knox III, Owner (team co-founder), 1970–96, inducted 1993
• Roger Neilson, Assistant/Head coach, 1979–81, inducted 2002

Broadcasters

• Ted Darling, 1970–92, inducted 1994

Retired numbers

• 2 Tim Horton, D, 1972–74, number retired January 15, 1996
• 7 Rick Martin, LW, 1971–81, number retired November 15, 1995*
• 11 Gilbert Perreault, C, 1970–86, number retired October 17, 1990*
• 14 Rene Robert, RW, 1972–79, number retired November 15, 1995*
• 16 Pat LaFontaine, C, 1991–97, number retired March 3, 2006
• 18 Danny Gare, RW, 1974–81, number retired November 22, 2005
• 99 Wayne Gretzky, C, number retired league wide February 6, 2000
• SHK III and NRK (team founders Seymour H. Knox III and Northrup R. Knox. Ryan Miller (born July 17, 1980 in East Lansing Michigan) is an American Ice hockey Goaltender currently playing for the The 1999 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26th at the FleetCenter in Boston Massachusetts. East Lansing is a city in the US state of Michigan. The city is located directly east of Lansing, Michigan, the state's capital Michigan ( is a Midwestern state of the United States of America. Jocelyn Thibault (born January 12, 1975 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey Goaltender The 2007–08 NHL season was the 90th season of the National Hockey League. Montreal, or Montréal in French ( pronounced in French, in English) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec Quebec (kwɨˈbɛk Nolan Pratt (born August 14, 1975, in Fort McMurray, Alberta) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey player The 2007–08 NHL season was the 90th season of the National Hockey League. Fort McMurray is a community within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta. Alberta (ælˈbɝtə is one of Canada's prairie provinces. It became a province on September 1 1905 Toni Lydman (born September 25, 1977 in Lahti, Finland) is a Finnish professional Ice hockey defenceman with the The 2005–06 NHL season was the 88th season of the National Hockey League. Lahti ( Swedish: Lahtis) is a city and Municipality in Finland. Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. Jaroslav Špaček (ˈjaroslaf ˈʃpatʃɛk born February 11, 1974, in Rokycany, Czechoslovakia, is a Professional Ice hockey The 2006–07 NHL season was the 89th Regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL Rokycany (ˈrokɪtsanɪ (Rokitzan is a town in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. Czechoslovakia may also refer to what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Henrik Tallinder (born January 10, 1979 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Professional Ice hockey defenseman who currently plays The 1997 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, on 21 June 1997. ('stɔkhɔlm is Sweden 's Capital and its largest City. It is the site of the national Swedish government, the parliament, and the "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Teppo Numminen (born July 3, 1968 in Tampere, Finland) is a Professional hockey defenceman for the The 2005–06 NHL season was the 88th season of the National Hockey League. Tampere ( ˈtɑmpɛrɛ Swedish: Tammerfors or) is a city in southern Finland located between two lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. Mike Weber (born December 16, 1987, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a professional Ice hockey defenseman. The 2005 NHL Entry Draft was the 43rd NHL Entry Draft. As a lockout cancelled the 2004–05 NHL season, the draft order was determined by lottery on Nathan Paetsch (born March 30, 1983 in Leroy, Saskatchewan, Canada) is a Professional Ice hockey defenceman The 2003 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville Tennessee. Leroy is a town in Saskatchewan, Canada. Demographics See also Andrej Sekera (born June 8, 1986 in Bojnice, Czechoslovakia now Slovakia) is a Slovak Ice hockey defenceman The 2004 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the RBC Center in Raleigh North Carolina. Bojnice (Bajmóc Weinitz is a small town in central Slovakia at the upper Nitra river near the city of Prievidza. Czechoslovakia may also refer to what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Dmitri Vladimirovich Kalinin (Дмитрий Владимирович Калинин born July 22, 1980 in Chelyabinsk, USSR) is a The 1998 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 27 at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo New York, New York. Chelyabinsk (Челя́бинск is a city in Russia, located just to the east of the Ural Mountains, on Miass River. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Derek Roy (born 4 May, 1983 in Ottawa, Ontario) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Buffalo In Ice hockey, each team has a designated captain, who normally wears a "C" on his or her jersey. The 2001 NHL Entry Draft was held in June at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise Florida. Ottawa (ˈɒtəwə or sometimes /ˈɒtəwɑː/ is the Capital of Canada and the country's fourth largest municipality. Aleš Kotalík (born December 23, 1978 in Jindřichův Hradec, Czechoslovakia) is a Professional Ice hockey right The 1998 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 27 at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo New York, New York. Jindřichův Hradec 'ɦradɛts (Neuhaus is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. Czechoslovakia may also refer to what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Tim Connolly (born May 7, 1981 in Baldwinsville, New York) is an American Ice hockey player with the Buffalo Sabres The 2001–02 NHL season was the 85th Regular season of the National Hockey League. Syracuse, as a place name may refer to In Italy Syracuse Sicily the Province of Syracuse In the United States New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Daniel Paille (born April 15, 1984 in Welland, Ontario, Canada) is a professional Ice hockey left wing who currently The 2002 NHL Entry Draft was held June 22 - 23 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto Ontario, Canada. Welland (formally The Corporation of the City of Welland; 2006 population 50331) is a city in the Regional Municipality of Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec Drew Stafford (born October 30, 1985 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American Ice hockey forward The 2003–04 NHL season was the 87th Regular season of the National Hockey League. Wisconsin ( or wɪˈskɑnsɨn (French Ouisconsin) is one of the fifty United States of America, located in the north central part of the United States Adam Mair (born February 15, 1979 in Hamilton, Ontario) is a Professional Ice hockey right wing who currently plays for The 2002–03 NHL season was the 86th Regular season of the National Hockey League. Hamilton (ˈhæməltən ( 2006 population 504559 UA population 647634 CMA population Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec Thomas Vanek (born January 19, 1984 in Baden bei Wien, Austria) is an Austrian ice hockey player The 2003 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville Tennessee. Vienna ( in Wien; see also other names) is the Capital of Austria, and is also one of the nine States of Austria. Austria (Österreich ( officially the Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich Paul Michael Gaustad (born February 3, 1982 in Fargo, North Dakota, United States) is a Professional Ice hockey The 2000 NHL Entry Draft was held from June 24 to 25 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary Alberta following the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft Fargo is a city in Cass County, North Dakota in the United States. North Dakota ( is a state located in the Midwestern and Western regions of the United States of America. Jason JohnPominville (born November 30, 1982 in Repentigny, Quebec, Canada) is a Professional Ice hockey right In Ice hockey, each team has a designated captain, who normally wears a "C" on his or her jersey. The 2001 NHL Entry Draft was held in June at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise Florida. For the electoral district please see Repentigny (electoral district Repentigny is an off-island suburb of Montreal, Quebec (kwɨˈbɛk Patrick Kałeta (born June 8, 1986, in Angola New York) is a professional Ice hockey right wing. The 2004 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the RBC Center in Raleigh North Carolina. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Michael Ryan (born May 16, 1980 in Boston, Massachusetts, US) is an American Ice hockey forward. The 2002–03 NHL season was the 86th Regular season of the National Hockey League. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Jochen Hecht (born June 21, 1977 in Mannheim, West Germany) is a forward and alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of In Ice hockey, each team has a designated captain, who normally wears a "C" on his or her jersey. The 2002–03 NHL season was the 86th Regular season of the National Hockey League. Mannheim is a City in Germany. With 327318 inhabitants it is the second-largest city in the state of Baden-Württemberg after the capital Stuttgart West Germany ( Inf German: Westdeutschland or West-Deutschland) was the common English name for the Federal Republic of Germany ( Steve Bernier (born March 31, 1985, in Quebec City Quebec) is a professional Canadian Ice hockey forward who currently The 2007–08 NHL season was the 90th season of the National Hockey League. Quebec City ( French: Ville de Québec, or simply Québec) (kwɨˈbɛk or /keˈbɛk/ is the Capital of the Canadian province Quebec (kwɨˈbɛk Maxim Sergeyevich Afinogenov (Максим Сергеевич Афиногенов Maksim Sergejevič Afinogenov, ˈmæk The 1997 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, on 21 June 1997. Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Andrew Peters (born May 5, 1980 in St Catharines, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian Ice hockey left winger who currently The 1998 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 27 at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo New York, New York. Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec Floyd Smith (born May 16, 1935 in Perth, Ontario) was a Canadian Professional Ice hockey centre who played 13 Gerry Meehan (born September 3, 1946 in Toronto, Ontario) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey leftwinger and Jim Schoenfeld (born September 4, 1952 in Galt Ontario) is a retired professional Ice hockey player and currently assistant general manager Danny Gare (born May 14, 1954 in Nelson British Columbia, Canada) is a retired National Hockey League (NHL player most notably Gilbert Perreault (born November 13 1950 in Victoriaville, Quebec) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey centre who played Lindy Cameron Ruff (Born February 17, 1960 in Warburg, Alberta) is Head coach of the Buffalo Sabres and former left winger Michael Anthony Foligno (born January 29, 1959 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada) is a retired Professional Ice hockey right Michael Allan ("Mike" Ramsey (born December 3, 1960 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is a retired American professional Pat LaFontaine (born February 22 1965 in St Louis, Missouri) is a former Ice hockey center in the National Hockey League, who played Alexander Gennadevitch Mogilny (Александр Геннадиевич Могильный Aleksandr Gennadijevič Mogil'nyj) born on February 18, 1969 Michael Anthony Peca (born March 26, 1974 in Toronto Ontario) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey forward and an Stuart Barnes (born December 25, 1970 in Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada) is an Assistant coach with the Dallas Stars of Miroslav Šatan (born October 22, 1974 in Jacovce, Czechoslovakia) is a professional Ice hockey player who plays for the Pittsburgh Christopher Drury (born August 20, 1976 in Trumbull, Connecticut) is a professional hockey player who is currently the captain of James Patrick (born June 14, 1963 in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a former professional Ice hockey defenceman, and is now a coach with the Jean-Pierre "J P" Dumont (born April 1, 1978 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian professional Ice hockey Daniel Brière (born October 6, 1977, in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada) is a French Canadian professional Ice hockey Christopher Drury (born August 20, 1976 in Trumbull, Connecticut) is a professional hockey player who is currently the captain of The 2004–05 NHL lockout resulted in the cancellation of what would have been the 88th season of the National Hockey League (NHL Jochen Hecht (born June 21, 1977 in Mannheim, West Germany) is a forward and alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of Toni Lydman (born September 25, 1977 in Lahti, Finland) is a Finnish professional Ice hockey defenceman with the Brian Wesley Campbell (born on May 23, 1979, Strathroy, Ontario) is a professional Ice hockey defenceman who currently plays Jaroslav Špaček (ˈjaroslaf ˈʃpatʃɛk born February 11, 1974, in Rokycany, Czechoslovakia, is a Professional Ice hockey Jochen Hecht (born June 21, 1977 in Mannheim, West Germany) is a forward and alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of Jason JohnPominville (born November 30, 1982 in Repentigny, Quebec, Canada) is a Professional Ice hockey right Richard "Dick" Duff (born February 18 1936 in Kirkland Lake, Ontario) was a Canadian Professional Ice hockey forward who Grant S Fuhr (born September 28 1962 is a former Goaltender in the National Hockey League. Clark "Jethro" Gillies (b April 7 1954 Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan) was a professional Ice hockey player and is a member of the Hockey Hall Miles Gilbert "Tim" Horton ( January 12, 1930 &ndash February 21, 1974) was a Canadian professional hockey defenceman Gilbert Perreault (born November 13 1950 in Victoriaville, Quebec) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey centre who played Dale "Ducky" Hawerchuk (born April 4 1963 in Toronto Canada is a retired professional Ice hockey player Pat LaFontaine (born February 22 1965 in St Louis, Missouri) is a former Ice hockey center in the National Hockey League, who played George "Punch" Imlach ( March 15, 1918 – December 1, 1987) was an NHL coach and general manager William Scott "Scotty" Bowman (born September 18, 1933 in Montreal Quebec, Canada) is a retired National Hockey League This is about the hockey-team owner For similar names see Seymour Knox. Roger Paul Neilson, CM (June 16 1934 - June 21 2003 was a National Hockey League coach, and was responsible for many innovations in the game Edgar Lee "Ted" Darling (born Kingston Ontario, died 1996 was the original "Voice of the Buffalo Sabres " Ice hockey team for twenty-two Miles Gilbert "Tim" Horton ( January 12, 1930 &ndash February 21, 1974) was a Canadian professional hockey defenceman Events 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah 's reign Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Rick Martin (born 26 July, 1951 in Verdun, Quebec, Canada) is a retired Professional Ice hockey winger who played in the Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Gilbert Perreault (born November 13 1950 in Victoriaville, Quebec) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey centre who played Events 539 BC - King Cyrus The Great of Persia marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) René Robert (born 31 December, 1948 in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada) is a retired Professional Ice hockey right winger Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Pat LaFontaine (born February 22 1965 in St Louis, Missouri) is a former Ice hockey center in the National Hockey League, who played Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Danny Gare (born May 14, 1954 in Nelson British Columbia, Canada) is a retired National Hockey League (NHL player most notably Events 498 - Kofi Aseidu- After the death of Anastasius II, Symmachus is elected Pope in the Lateran Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Wayne Douglas Gretzky, OC (born January 26 1961 is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey player Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. This is about the hockey-team owner For similar names see Seymour Knox. Northrup R Knox (born December 24 1928 in Buffalo New York – died July 15, 1998 East Aurora New York) was a Two banners bearing their initials and the Sabres blue and gold reside in HSBC Arena's rafters. )

* When Rene Robert & Rick Martin were retired, Gilbert Perreault was present, as the entire "French Connection" line was given retirement together. René Robert (born 31 December, 1948 in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada) is a retired Professional Ice hockey right winger Rick Martin (born 26 July, 1951 in Verdun, Quebec, Canada) is a retired Professional Ice hockey winger who played in the Gilbert Perreault (born November 13 1950 in Victoriaville, Quebec) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey centre who played The French Connection was a line of professional Ice hockey forwards who played together for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League Today, each linemate's banner is next to one another at HSBC Arena, with a banner above indicating their line's nickname.

First-round draft picks

1970: Gilbert Perreault (1st overall) 1971: Rick Martin (5th overall) 1972: Jim Schoenfeld (5th overall) 1973: Morris Titanic (12th overall) 1974: Lee Fogolin (11th overall) 1975: Bob Sauve (17th overall) 1976: None 1977: Ric Seiling (14th overall) 1978: Larry Playfair (13th overall) 1979: Mike Ramsey (11th overall) 1980: Steve Patrick (20th overall) 1981: Jiri Dudacek (17th overall) 1982: Phil Housley (6th overall), Paul Cyr (9th overall), & Dave Andreychuk 16th overall) 1983: Tom Barrasso (5th overall), Normand Lacombe (10th overall), & Adam Creighton (11th overall) 1984: Mikael Andersson (18th overall) 1985: Calle Johansson (14th overall) 1986: Shawn Anderson (5th overall) 1987: Pierre Turgeon (1st overall)

1988: Joel Savage (13th overall) 1989: Kevin Haller (14th overall) 1990: Brad May (14th overall) 1991: Philippe Boucher (13th overall) 1992: David Cooper (11th overall) 1993: None 1994: Wayne Primeau (17th overall) 1995: Jay McKee (14th overall) & Martin Biron (16th overall) 1996: Erik Rasmussen (7th overall) 1997: Mika Noronen (21st overall) 1998: Dmitri Kalinin (18th overall) 1999: Barrett Heisten (20th overall) 2000: Artem Kryukov (15th overall) 2001: Jiri Novotny (22nd overall) 2002: Keith Ballard (11th overall) & Daniel Paille (20th overall) 2003: Thomas Vanek (5th overall) 2004: Drew Stafford (13th overall) 2005: Marek Zagrapan (13th overall) 2006: Dennis Persson (24th overall) 2007: None

Franchise scoring leaders

These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history. The 1970 NHL Amateur Draft was held on June 11 1970 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Gilbert Perreault (born November 13 1950 in Victoriaville, Quebec) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey centre who played The 1971 NHL Amateur Draft was held on June 10 1971 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal Quebec, Canada. Rick Martin (born 26 July, 1951 in Verdun, Quebec, Canada) is a retired Professional Ice hockey winger who played in the The 1972 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Jim Schoenfeld (born September 4, 1952 in Galt Ontario) is a retired professional Ice hockey player and currently assistant general manager The 11th National Hockey League Amateur Draft was the first to be held on a separate day from other league activities on May 15, 1973 at the Mount Morris Titanic (born January 7, 1953, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a retired former National Hockey League Ice The 1974 NHL Amateur Draft was held via conference call at the NHL office in Montreal Quebec. Leo Fogolin (born February 15, 1955 in Chicago Illinois and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario) is a retired defenseman who played in The 1975 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the NHL office in Montreal Quebec. The 1976 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the NHL office in Montreal Quebec. The 1977 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal Quebec. Ric Seiling (born December 15, 1957 in Elmira Ontario) is a retired former professional Ice hockey player The 1978 NHL Amateur Draft occurred at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal Quebec on June 15, 1978. Larry Playfair (born June 23, 1958 in Fort St James British Columbia) is a retired former professional Ice hockey player with a reputation The 1979 NHL Entry Draft took place on August 9, 1979, at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. Michael Allan ("Mike" Ramsey (born December 3, 1960 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is a retired American professional The 1980 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Montreal Forum. It was the first time the Forum hosted the draft Steve Patrick (born February 4, 1961, in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a former professional Ice hockey forward. The 1981 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal Quebec. Jiří Dudáček (born April 4, 1962, in Kladno, Czechoslovakia) is a former professional Ice hockey right wing. The 1982 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal Quebec. Phillip F Housley (born March 9, 1964 in Saint Paul, Minnesota) is a former Ice hockey player who played for the Buffalo Sabres Paul Cyr (born October 31, 1963 in Port Alberni, British Columbia) is a Canadian former Ice hockey left wing David John "Dave" Andreychuk (Born 29 September, 1963 in Hamilton, Ontario) is a former professional hockey left winger who played The 1983 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal Quebec on 8 June 1983. Thomas Patrick Barrasso (born March 31, 1965 in Boston Massachusetts) is a retired American professional ice hockey Goaltender who played Normand Lacombe (born October 18, 1964 in Pierrefonds, Quebec) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey right wing Adam Creighton (born June 2 1965 in Burlington Ontario) is a retired former professional Ice hockey player who played 708 career National Hockey League The 1984 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 9 1984 at the Forum in Montreal Quebec. Mikael Andersson (born May 10, 1966 in Malmö, Sweden) is a retired Swedish Professional Ice hockey forward The first draft outside of Montreal. The event was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto Ontario, and attended by 7000 fans Carl Christian "Calle" Johansson (born February 14 1967 in Gothenburg, Sweden) is a retired Professional Ice hockey defenceman The 1986 NHL Entry Draft was held on 21 June, at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec. Shawn Anderson (born February 7, 1968 in Montreal, Quebec) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey defenceman who The 1987 NHL Entry Draft was held at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit Michigan. Pierre Turgeon (born August 28, 1969 in Rouyn-Noranda Quebec, Canada) is a retired French Canadian Professional hockey The 1988 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal Quebec. Joel Savage (born December 25, 1969 in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada) is a retired former professional Ice hockey player The 1989 NHL Entry Draft was held in June at the Metropolitan Sports Center in Bloomington Minnesota. Kevin Haller (born December 5, 1970 in Trochu Alberta) is a retired professional Ice hockey player who played 642 career games in the National Hockey The 1990 NHL Entry Draft was the 28th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Vancouver Canucks at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Brad May (born November 29, 1971 in Toronto, Ontario) is an Ice hockey left winger currently playing for the The 1991 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 22 at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo New York. Philippe Boucher (b March 24, 1973 in St Apollinaire, Quebec, Canada) is a French Canadian Professional The 1992 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 20 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal Quebec. David Cooper (born November 2, 1973, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26 1993 at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City Quebec. The 1994 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 28 1994 Picks for the 1994 draft are on the "Hockey Database" website Selections by round Round 1 Wayne Primeau (born June 4, 1976 in Scarborough Ontario) is a Canadian Professional Ice hockey player The 1995 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. Jay McKee (born September 8, 1977, Kingston, Ontario) is an Ice hockey defenceman who plays for the St Martin Gaston Biron (born August 15, 1977) is a Canadian Professional Ice hockey Goaltender who currently plays for the The 1996 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Kiel Arena (now called the Scottrade Center in St Erik Rasmussen (born March 28, 1977 in St Louis Park, Minnesota, U The 1997 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, on 21 June 1997. Mika Noronen (born June 17, 1979 in Tampere, Finland) is a Finnish professional Ice hockey The 1998 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 27 at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo New York, New York. Dmitri Vladimirovich Kalinin (Дмитрий Владимирович Калинин born July 22, 1980 in Chelyabinsk, USSR) is a The 1999 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26th at the FleetCenter in Boston Massachusetts. Barrett Heisten (Born March 19, 1980 in Anchorage Alaska) is an American Professional Ice hockey player The 2000 NHL Entry Draft was held from June 24 to 25 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary Alberta following the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft Artem Kryukov (born March 5, 1982 in Novosibirsk, USSR) is a professional Ice hockey forward. The 2001 NHL Entry Draft was held in June at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise Florida. Jiri Novotny may refer to Jiří Novotný (ice hockey, an Ice hockey player Jiří Novotný (footballer - football player The 2002 NHL Entry Draft was held June 22 - 23 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto Ontario, Canada. Keith Ballard (born November 26, 1982, in Baudette, Minnesota) is a Professional Ice hockey defenseman who currently plays Daniel Paille (born April 15, 1984 in Welland, Ontario, Canada) is a professional Ice hockey left wing who currently The 2003 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville Tennessee. Thomas Vanek (born January 19, 1984 in Baden bei Wien, Austria) is an Austrian ice hockey player The 2004 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the RBC Center in Raleigh North Carolina. Drew Stafford (born October 30, 1985 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American Ice hockey forward The 2005 NHL Entry Draft was the 43rd NHL Entry Draft. As a lockout cancelled the 2004–05 NHL season, the draft order was determined by lottery on Marek Zagrapan (born December 6, 1986 in Prešov, Czechoslovakia) is a Slovakian Ice hockey centre. The 2006 NHL Entry Draft was the 44th NHL Entry Draft. It was held at GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, on June 24 Dennis Persson (born June 2, 1988 in Nyköping, Sweden) is a Swedish professional Ice hockey defenceman for The 2007 NHL Entry Draft was the 45th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted at Nationwide Arena in the city of Columbus Ohio, United States Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Sabres player

Points	Goals	Assists
Player Pos GP G A Pts P/G Gilbert Perreault C 1191 512 814 1326 1. Gilbert Perreault (born November 13 1950 in Victoriaville, Quebec) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey centre who played 11 Dave Andreychuk LW 837 368 436 804 . David John "Dave" Andreychuk (Born 29 September, 1963 in Hamilton, Ontario) is a former professional hockey left winger who played 96 Rick Martin LW 681 382 313 695 1. Rick Martin (born 26 July, 1951 in Verdun, Quebec, Canada) is a retired Professional Ice hockey winger who played in the 02 Craig Ramsay LW 1070 252 420 672 . Craig Ramsay (born 17 March, 1951 in Weston, Ontario) is a retired Canadian professional Ice hockey left winger who played in the 63 Phil Housley D 608 178 380 558 . Phillip F Housley (born March 9, 1964 in Saint Paul, Minnesota) is a former Ice hockey player who played for the Buffalo Sabres 92 Rene Robert RW 524 222 330 552 1. René Robert (born 31 December, 1948 in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada) is a retired Professional Ice hockey right winger 05 Don Luce C 766 216 311 527 . Don Luce (born 2 October, 1948 in London, Ontario) is a retired professional Ice hockey centre who played in the NHL from 1969 to 69 Mike Foligno RW 664 247 264 511 . Michael Anthony Foligno (born January 29, 1959 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada) is a retired Professional Ice hockey right 79 Danny Gare RW 503 267 233 500 . Danny Gare (born May 14, 1954 in Nelson British Columbia, Canada) is a retired National Hockey League (NHL player most notably 99 Miroslav Satan RW 578 224 232 456 . Miroslav Šatan (born October 22, 1974 in Jacovce, Czechoslovakia) is a professional Ice hockey player who plays for the Pittsburgh 79	Player Pos G Gil Perreault C 512 Rick Martin LW 382 Dave Andreychuk LW 368 Danny Gare RW 267 Craig Ramsay LW 252 Mike Foligno RW 247 Miroslav Satan LW 224 Rene Robert C 222 Don Luce C 216 Alexander Mogilny RW 211	Player Pos A Gil Perreault C 814 Dave Andreychuk LW 436 Craig Ramsay LW 420 Phil Housley D 380 Rene Robert C 330 Rick Martin LW 313 Don Luce C 310 Dale Hawerchuk C 275 Mike Foligno RW 264 Mike Ramsey D 256

NHL awards and trophies

Presidents' Trophy 2006–07 Prince of Wales Trophy 1974–75, 1979–80, 1998–99 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy Don Luce: 1974–75 Pat LaFontaine: 1994–95 Calder Memorial Trophy Gilbert Perreault: 1970–71 Tom Barrasso: 1983–84 Frank J. Selke Trophy Craig Ramsay: 1984–85 Michael Peca: 1996–97 Hart Memorial Trophy Dominik Hasek: 1996–97, 1997–98 Jack Adams Award Ted Nolan: 1996–97 Lindy Ruff: 2005–06

King Clancy Memorial Trophy Rob Ray: 1998–99 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy Gilbert Perreault: 1972–73 Lester B. Pearson Award Dominik Hasek: 1996–97, 1997–98 Lester Patrick Trophy Pat LaFontaine: 1996–97 Scotty Bowman: 2000–01 NHL Plus/Minus Award Thomas Vanek: 2006–07 Vezina Trophy Don Edwards & Bob Sauve: 1979–80 Tom Barrasso: 1983–84 Dominik Hasek: 1993–94, 1994–95, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2000–01 William M. Jennings Trophy Tom Barrasso & Bob Sauve: 1984–85 Dominik Hasek & Grant Fuhr: 1993–94 Dominik Hasek: 2000–01

Franchise individual records

Main article: Buffalo Sabres records

See also

• Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team, a team composed of former Sabres
• List of NHL players
• List of NHL seasons

References

External links

• Official website of the Buffalo Sabres
• Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association

---

© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic