Buffalo Sabres: Celebrating a Quarter-Century of Key Players Since 2000

By Steve Bittenbender

@BittGDCG

April 30, 2025 10:43am

Fact Checked by Jim Tomlin

To be frank, the last 25 years have likely felt significantly longer for fans of the Buffalo Sabres compared to others. This is particularly true since the Sabres share the unfortunate record for the longest absence from playoffs—an agonizing 14 seasons—among the major North American sports leagues.

There was anticipation this season might break that unfortunate streak, especially with the return of Lindy Ruff as coach. Unfortunately, Buffalo's rough start of 1-4-1 was just the beginning, as they then endured a 13-game losing streak (0-10-3) from late November through December 21, which crushed any aspirations of brighter prospects for the new year.NHL betting Adjust Your Betting Options: One Account for All Services with Simple Deposits

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The Formation of the Buffalo Sabres Quarter-Century Team

The Formation of the Buffalo Sabres Quarter-Century Team

Nonetheless, it's essential to acknowledge the top players from the past 25 years, and that’s exactly what we aim to celebrate here at OntarioBets for our friends across Niagara Falls.

We compiled a typical game-day lineup, consisting of four forward lines, six defensemen, and two goaltenders, using the Point Shares statistic from Hockey-Reference.com. While some players may have played in Buffalo prior to 2000, we only factored in statistics accumulated since the turn of the century for this selection.

Derek Roy achieved a remarkable total of 427 points (161 goals, 266 assists) during his tenure with the Sabres, but many believe Jack Eichel would hold the top spot on this list. Buffalo Sabres fans are all too familiar with the narrative surrounding their former franchise icon, who could very well guide the Vegas Golden Knights to a second Stanley Cup victory. It's a topic that stings as much for them as the Buffalo Bills' playoff saga.

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Centers

, and the Golden Knights are currently favored with odds of +900 to clinch the Cup this year.

At888Sport Ontario Sportsbook Yet, there shines a glimmer of hope for Buffalo in the form of Tage Thompson, who just notched his second 40-goal season in three years. Out of his impressive 44 goals this season, 37 were scored at even strength, leading the NHL. In a recent post-season interview, he emphasized how vital it will be to achieve success next season.

Thomas Vanek narrowly missed the milestone of 500 career points while playing for the Sabres, ultimately finishing with 497 points (254 goals, 243 assists), ranking him 11th in the franchise's all-time history. His standout year came in 2006-07, where he scored a personal best of 43 goals and held a league-leading plus-47 rating, contributing significantly to a team that made it to the Eastern Conference finals.

Left Wings

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During the seasons between 2005-06 and 2007-08, the Sabres transformed into an offensive juggernaut, with Jason Pominville significantly contributing alongside Vanek. Pominville achieved a career-high 34 goals in the '06-07 season, followed by a remarkable 80 points (27 goals, 53 assists) the following year. His total of 521 points (217 goals, 304 assists) during his two tenures with the Sabres stands out as the highest since 2000.

During the seasons between 2005-06 and 2007-08, the Sabres transformed into an offensive juggernaut, with Jason Pominville significantly contributing alongside Vanek. Pominville achieved a career-high 34 goals in the '06-07 season, followed by a remarkable 80 points (27 goals, 53 assists) the following year. His total of 521 points (217 goals, 304 assists) during his two tenures with the Sabres stands out as the highest since 2000.

Right Wings

Rasmus Dahlin recently celebrated his 25th birthday, and his current contract ensures he remains with the Sabres through the end of the 2031-32 season. He finished the season tied for second on the team with 68 points (17 goals, 51 assists), alongside JJ Peterka, who is just 23 years old. Dahlin is expected to be a pivotal player for the organization, likely aiding in breaking their playoff drought in the foreseeable future and possibly elevating Buffalo's status.

Defensemen

While Dominik Hasek will always be regarded as the greatest goaltender in Sabres history, Ryan Miller also had an impressive run during his years with the team. With 284 wins, he holds the franchise record, and his 2.60 goals-against average ranks third, trailing only Hasek and Martin Biron. Miller was notably recognized with a Vezina Trophy in 2010 after finishing the season with a record of 41-18-8 and a stellar 2.22 GAA.Stanley Cup odds more realistic.

Goaltenders

Biron served as a reliable bridge between Hasek and Miller, performing admirably as the starting goaltender for Buffalo. Unfortunately, during his three seasons in that role, from 2001-02 to 2003-04, the Sabres were unable to secure a playoff berth.

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Our reviews ofOntario sports betting apps Steve is a well-respected, award-winning journalist with over 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics, and business. He has contributed to major publications such as the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, and The Center Square, among others. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Steve has provided comprehensive coverage on the growth of sports betting in the United States along with various gaming issues. He shares his knowledge and insights on platforms such as OntarioBets.

USA Today photo by Joe Camporeale