:Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres, along with the Vancouver Canucks, joined the NHL in the 1970–71 season.{{cite book|last=McFarlane |first=Brian |year=1990|title=100 Years of Hockey|page=109|publisher=Summerhill Press|isbn=0-929091-26-4}} Their first owners were Seymour H. Knox III and Northrup Knox, scions of a family long prominent in Western New York and grandsons of the co-founders of the Woolworth's variety store chain; along with Robert O. Swados, a Buffalo attorney. On the team's inaugural board of directors were Robert E. Rich Jr., later the owner of the Buffalo Bisons minor league baseball team; and George W. Strawbridge Jr., an heir to the Campbell Soup Company fortune. Buffalo had a history of professional hockey; immediately prior to the Sabres' establishment, the Buffalo Bisons were a pillar of the American Hockey League (AHL), having existed since 1940 (and before that, another Bisons hockey team played from 1928 to 1936), winning the Calder Cup in their final season.{{cite web|title=The Early Years|url=http://forty.sabres.nhl.com/history.asp?year=1967|work=The 40th Anniversary site of the Buffalo Sabres|access-date=April 15, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307143201/http://forty.sabres.nhl.com/history.asp?year=1967|archive-date=March 7, 2011}}

Wanting a name other than "bison" (a generic stock name used by Buffalo sports teams for decades), the Knoxes commissioned a name-the-team contest. With names like "Mugwumps", "Buzzing Bees" and "Flying Zeppelins" being entered,{{cite web|author1=Cristina Ledra|author2=Pat Pickens|title=NHL team nicknames explained|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-team-nickname-origins-explained/c-283976168|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=March 20, 2018|date=November 22, 2016}} the winning choice, "Sabres", was chosen because Seymour Knox felt a sabre was a weapon carried by a leader, and could be effective on both offense and defense.{{efn-ua|The name was selected because, as public relations director Chuck Barr wrote in a press release, 'a sabre is renowned as a clean, sharp, decisive and penetrating weapon on offense, as well as a strong parrying weapon on defense.'{{cite web|title=Whats in a Name|url=http://forty.sabres.nhl.com/history.asp?year=1968|publisher=Buffalo Sabres|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307140351/http://forty.sabres.nhl.com/history.asp?year=1968|archive-date=March 7, 2011|access-date=December 15, 2015}}}}{{efn-ua|The spelling sabre is otherwise rarely used in the United States (where it is saber) but, as with many words which can end either in -re or -er, it is spelled sabre in neighboring Canada.}} The Knoxes tried twice before to get an NHL team, first when the NHL expanded in 1967, and again when they attempted to purchase the Oakland Seals with the intent of moving them to Buffalo. Their first attempt was thwarted when Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney persuaded his horse racing friends James and Bruce Norris to select Pittsburgh over Buffalo,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1268846/2019/10/05/how-art-rooney-helped-pittsburgh-land-a-hockey-team-and-other-stories-told-by-the-penguins-founder/|title=How Art Rooney helped Pittsburgh land a hockey team, and other stories told by the Penguins' founder|last=Rossi|first=Rob|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 5, 2019|accessdate=June 2, 2024}} while the second attempt was due to the NHL not wanting an expansion market to give up on a team so soon, nor isolate the Los Angeles Kings (the only NHL team other than the Seals west of St. Louis at the time) from the rest of the NHL entirely.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1312341/2019/10/22/seals-of-approval-buying-oaklands-team-gave-the-sabres-their-ticket-to-the-nhl/|title=Seals of approval: Buying Oakland's team gave the Sabres their ticket to the NHL|last=Vogl|first=John|newspaper=New York Times|date=October 22, 2019|accessdate=March 19, 2025}} At the time of their creation, the Sabres exercised their option to create their own AHL farm team, the Cincinnati Swords.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/article/rick-dudley-reflects-on-his-time-playing-for-the-cincinnati-stingers/|title=Rick Dudley Reflects on His Time Playing for the Cincinnati Stingers|last=Dusterberg|first=Kurt|magazine=Cincinnati Magazine|date=January 13, 2021|accessdate=March 19, 2025}} Former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager and head coach Punch Imlach was hired in the same capacity with the Sabres.{{cite web|url=https://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/george-punch-imlach/|title=George "Punch" Imlach|publisher=Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame|website=BuffaloSportsHallFame.com|date=August 3, 2012 |accessdate=March 19, 2025}}

The Sabres' debut in 1970 also coincided with the AFL–NFL merger in which the Buffalo Bills joined the National Football League,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/06/01/archives/pro-football-is-slated-to-finish-realignment-at-nfl-meetings-this.html|title=Pro Football Is Slated to Finish Realignment at N.F.L. Meetings This Week; ROZELLE EXPECTS MUCH BARGAINING|last=Wallace|first=William|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 1, 1969|accessdate=March 19, 2025}} and the National Basketball Association's Buffalo Braves also began to play, sharing Memorial Auditorium with the Sabres.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/02/07/archives/nba-adds-cleveland-houston-buffalo-portland-ore-knicks-win-13592.html|title=N.B.A. Adds Cleveland, Houston, Buffalo, Portland, Ore.|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 7, 1970|accessdate=March 19, 2025}} The city of Buffalo went from having no teams in the established major professional sports leagues to three in one off-season. Between the Braves and the Sabres, the Sabres would prove to be by far the more successful of the two; Paul Snyder, the nouveau riche Braves owner, publicly feuded with the old money Knoxes and the local college basketball scene, eventually losing those feuds and being forced to sell his team in 1976.{{cite news|url=https://artvoice.com/2016/04/buffalo-braves-saga-not-lionize-paul-snyder/|title=The Buffalo Braves Saga: Do Not Lionize Paul Snyder|last=Kulyk|first=Andrew|date=April 24, 2016|magazine=Artvoice|accessdate=March 19, 2025}} Subsequent owners of the Braves, in a series of convoluted transactions tied to the ABA–NBA merger, moved the team out of Buffalo.

When the Sabres debuted as an expansion team, they took the ice to Aram Khachaturian's Armenian war dance, "Sabre Dance".{{cite web|url=https://artvoice.com/2017/11/01/hockey-sin-city-andrew-kulyk-peter-farrell/#.Ws-U_YjwZuU|title=Hockey in Sin City|work=Artvoice|access-date=April 12, 2018|date=November 1, 2017|author=Kulyk, Andrew and Peter Farrell}} The music has been associated with the team as an unofficial anthem ever since.{{cite web|url=https://as.com/videos/2016/07/06/en/1467824254_902709.html|title=All about new Manchester United signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan|access-date=April 12, 2018|date=July 6, 2016|work=Diario AS}} It is often played between periods and after goals.

The consensus was that the first pick in the 1970 NHL amateur draft would be junior phenomenon Gilbert Perreault. Either the Sabres or the Canucks would get the first pick, to be determined with the spin of a wheel of fortune. Perreault was available to the Sabres and Canucks as this was the first year the Montreal Canadiens did not have a priority right to draft Quebec-born junior players. The Canucks were allocated numbers 1–10 on the wheel, while the Sabres had 11–20. When league president Clarence Campbell spun the wheel, he initially thought the pointer landed on one. While Campbell was congratulating the Vancouver delegation, Imlach asked Campbell to check again. As it turned out, the pointer was on 11, effectively handing Perreault to the Sabres.{{cite book |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |title=Hockey Chronicles |year=2001 |publisher=Checkmark Books |location=New York City |isbn=0-8160-4697-2 |display-authors=etal |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/hockeychronicles00tren}} Perreault scored 38 goals in his rookie season of 1970–71, at the time a record for most goals scored by a NHL rookie, and he received the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/gilbert-perreault-100-greatest-nhl-hockey-players-284833152|title=Gilbert Perreault: 100 Greatest NHL Players|last=Hackel|first=Stu|publisher=NHL Enterpries, L. P.|date=January 1, 2017|website=NHL.com|accessdate=March 19, 2025}} Despite Perreault's play, the Sabres finished out of playoff contention.{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/1971.html|title=1970-71 Buffalo Sabres Roster and Statistics|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|website=Hockey-reference.com|accessdate=March 19, 2025}}

File:French connection statue.JPG line stands outside KeyBank Center. Consisting of Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin, and Rene Robert, they played together from 1972 to 1979.]]

In the team's second season, 1971–72, rookie Rick Martin, drafted fifth overall by Buffalo in 1971,{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/former-sabres-great-rick-martin-dies-1.1006700|title=Former Sabres great Rick Martin dies|last=Iorfida|first=Chris|publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada|date=March 13, 2011|website=CBC.ca|accessdate=March 20, 2025}} and Rene Robert, acquired in a late-season trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins,{{cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/hockey/perreault-mourns-loss-of-sabres-linemate-friend-rene-robert/|title=Perreault mourns loss of Sabres linemate, friend Rene Robert|last=Wawrow|first=John|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=June 23, 2021|accessdate=March 20, 2025}} joined Perreault and would become one of the league's top forward lines in the 1970s. Martin broke Perreault's goal-scoring record as a rookie with 44 goals. They were nicknamed "The French Connection" after the movie of the same name and in homage to their French-Canadian roots.{{cite news|url=https://tucson.com/sports/sabres/erik-brady-nhl-draft-conjures-memories-of-french-connection/article_d86937a7-ec64-59ff-9473-2d64f6d79886.html|title=Erik Brady: NHL draft conjures memories of French Connection|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=July 22, 2021|accessdate=March 20, 2025}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1973-buffalo-sabres-vs-montreal-canadiens-quarter-finals.html|title=1973 NHL Quarter-Finals|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|website=Hockey-Reference.com|accessdate=March 20, 2025}}

After a subpar year in 1974 that saw them miss the playoffs (as well as aging defenseman Tim Horton's death in a DUI-induced car accident{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/50-years-after-tim-hortons-deadly-car-crash-we-clear-up-one-lingering-mystery/article_079468f2-c9d1-11ee-a912-97985739c8f3.html|title=50 years after Tim Horton's deadly car crash, we clear up one lingering mystery|last=Brown|first=Edward|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=February 17, 2024|accessdate=March 20, 2025}}), the Sabres tied for the best record in the NHL in the 1974–75 regular season.{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/1975.html|title=1974-75 Buffalo Sabres Roster and Statistics|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|website=Hockey-reference.com|accessdate=March 20, 2025}} Buffalo advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals 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).{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sportscenter/post/_/id/54936/this-day-in-sports-the-fog-the-bat-the-stanley-cup-and-the-broad-street-bullies|title=This Day In Sports: The Fog, The Bat, The Stanley Cup, And The Broad Street Bullies|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=May 27, 2010|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 20, 2025}} Due to unusual heat in Buffalo in May 1975 and the lack of air conditioning in the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, parts of the game were played in heavy fog that made players, officials, and the puck invisible to many spectators. During a face-off and through the fog, Sabres center Jim Lorentz spotted a bat flying across the rink, swung at it with his stick, killing it. 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 Stanley Cup in six games, winning the series 4–2.

The French Connection, joined by 50–goal scorer Danny Gare,{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/app-firstpitch/buffalo/news/bisons-hockey-night-with-the-sabres-to-feature-danny-gare|title=August 19 'Hockey Night' to feature first pitch from Sabres legend, Danny Gare|publisher=MLB Advanced Media, LP|date=August 12, 2023|website=MILB.com|accessdate=March 20, 2025}} continued to score prolifically for the Sabres in 1975–76, but the team lost in the quarterfinals to the New York Islanders. The Sabres had success through the late 1970s behind Gare and the French Connection (Perreault, Martin and Robert), but they were unable to return to the Finals despite a Wales Conference championship in 1980 and being the first team to beat the Soviet Olympic Team when they toured the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1980-buffalo-sabres-vs-new-york-islanders-semi-finals.html|title=1980 NHL Semi-Finals New York Islanders defeat Buffalo Sabres 4-2|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|website=Hockey-Reference.com|accessdate=March 20, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/01/05/archives/sabres-trounce-soviet-wings-126-sabres-put-russians-to-rout-126.html|title=Sabres Trounce Soviet Wings, 12-6|last=Herman|first=Robin|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 5, 1976|accessdate=March 20, 2025}} The French Connection era ended with Robert's trade to the Colorado Rockies in 1979 and Martin's trade to the Los Angeles Kings in 1981, by which time Martin's career was essentially finished as the result of a devastating knee injury in 1980. All three players have had their sweater numbers (11, 7 and 14, respectively) retired and a statue erected in their honor at KeyBank Center in 2012.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/sabres/2012/10/12/buffalo-sabres-the-french-connection-statue/1630925/|title=Sabres unveil statue honoring French Connection|via=Associated Press|date=October 12, 2012|newspaper=USA Today|accessdate=March 20, 2025}}

In 1981–82, the NHL realigned its conferences and adopted an intra-divisional playoff format for the first two rounds.{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/10/03/NHL-Revises-Format-For-1981-82-Season/3599370929600/|title=NHL Revises Format For 1981-82 Season|last=Tully|first=Mike|work=United Press International|date=October 3, 1981|accessdate=March 20, 2025}} It was the beginning of an era in which the Sabres would finish in the middle of the Adams Division standings with regularity, and then face the near-certainty of having to get past either the Boston Bruins or Canadiens to make it to the conference finals. Aside from first-round victories over Montreal in 1983 and Boston in 1993,{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1983/04/18/the-blankety-blank-sabres|title=The blankety-blank Sabres|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=April 18, 1983|accessdate=March 21, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/25/sports/hockey-overtime-pays-as-buffalo-sweeps-bruins.html|title=HOCKEY; Overtime Pays as Buffalo Sweeps Bruins|via=The Associated Press|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 25, 1993|accessdate=March 21, 2025}} the era saw the Sabres lose to division rivals Boston, the Quebec Nordiques and Montreal in the Adams Division semifinals (first round) a combined eight times, and miss the playoffs altogether in 1985–86 and 1986–87—only third and fourth times out of the playoffs in franchise history.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.thehockeynews.com/issue/647723/915218?t=Buffalo%20Sabres|title=Wounded Buffalo Promises Better Defense|last=Bowman|first=Scotty|magazine=The Hockey News|date=August 1, 1986|accessdate=March 21, 2025}} Perrault reached the 500-goal mark in the 1985–86 season and retired after playing 20 games in 1986–87, 17 years after joining the Sabres as their first draft pick.{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/11/25/Just-20-games-after-returning-from-a-12-week-retirement/5215533278800/|title=Just 20 games after returning from a 12-week retirement,...|last=Usiak|first=Dick|work=United Press International|date=November 25, 1986|accessdate=March 21, 2025}}

The Sabres drafted Pierre Turgeon with the first pick in the 1987 NHL entry draft, and he quickly made an impact with the team.{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/06/13/Pierre-Turgeon-an-explosive-French-Canadian-center-Saturday-became/6157550555200/|title=Pierre Turgeon, an explosive French Canadian center, Saturday became...|last=Harris|first=Lisa|work=United Press International|date=June 13, 1987|accessdate=March 21, 2025}} During his rookie season in 1987–88, he helped the Sabres reach the playoffs for the first time in three years. He was joined in 1989 by Alexander Mogilny, who with the help of Sabres officials became the first Soviet player to defect to the NHL.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-05-sp-2209-story.html|title=Soviet Hockey's Mogilny Defects|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 5, 1989|accessdate=March 21, 2025}} In the 1989–90 season, the Sabres would improve to finish with 98 points—third-best in the NHL, but the playoff futility continued with a first-round loss to Montreal.{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/1990-buffalo-sabres-vs-montreal-canadiens-adams-division-semi-finals.html|title=1990 NHL Adams Division Semi-Finals|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|website=Hockey-reference.com|accessdate=March 21, 2025}} The Sabres traded Turgeon to the New York Islanders in 1991 as part of a blockbuster seven-player trade that brought Pat LaFontaine to Buffalo.{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/10/25/Islanders-trade-LaFontaine-Sutter-in-separate-deals/5436688363200/|title=Islanders trade LaFontaine, Sutter in separate deals|work=United Press International|date=October 25, 1991|accessdate=March 21, 2025}}

In 1992–93, goaltender Dominik Hasek joined the team in a trade from the Chicago Blackhawks.{{cite web|url=https://www.wgrz.com/article/sports/august-7-1992-the-best-trade-in-sabres-history/71-f5b8d61c-8f01-4473-8622-413eaf1b9769|title=August 7, 1992: The Best Trade in Sabres History|last=Benigni|first=Adam|publisher=WGRZ-TV|date=August 7, 2019|website=WGRZ.com|accessdate=March 21, 2025}} In the 1993 playoffs, the Sabres upset the Bruins in a four-game sweep in the Adams Division semifinals, their first playoff series victory in ten years. Brad May's series-winning goal in overtime of game four in Buffalo was made famous by Rick Jeanneret's "May Day!" call.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4788140/2023/08/18/sabres-rick-jeanneret-legacy/|title=Former Sabre Brad May reflects on Rick Jeanneret's legacy: 'He knows he was loved'|last=Fairburn|first=Matthew|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 18, 2023|accessdate=March 21, 2025}} However, the eventual Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens swept the Sabres in the division final, with the Sabres losing all four games by a 4–3 score (the last three games in overtime).{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.thehockeynews.com/issue/647731/916923?t=BUFFALO%20SABRES|title=Buffalo Sabres|magazine=The Hockey News|date=August 1, 1993|accessdate=March 21, 2025|volume=47|issue=42}}

With the NHL adopting a conference playoff format for the 1993–94 season, the Sabres faced the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference playoffs' first round. Despite Hasek winning a 1–0 quadruple overtime goaltending duel with the Devils' Martin Brodeur in game six,{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1994/04/28/sabres-win-in-4-ots-1-0-force-game-7-vs-devils/ab288e75-090c-4cb5-ba16-32f524f0e989/|title=Sabres Win in 4 OTs, 1-0, Force Game 7 Vs. Devils|newspaper=The Washington Post|via=The Associated Press|date=April 28, 1994|accessdate=March 21, 2025}} Buffalo would lose the series in seven games.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/140429011/sabres-devils|title=Devils 2-1 Sabres (Apr 29, 1994) - Final Score|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 21, 2025}} Another first-round playoff loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in the lockout-shortened 1994–95 season was followed by a fifth-place finish in the Northeast Division in 1995–96,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/15/sports/1995-nhl-playoffs-fast-start-by-flyers-ousts-sabres.html|title=1995 N.H.L. PLAYOFFS; Fast Start By Flyers Ousts Sabres|newspaper=The New York Times|via=The Associated Press|date=May 15, 1995|accessdate=March 21, 2025}} as the team missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years. It was the first season under head coach Ted Nolan and the last for the Sabres at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. During his coaching tenure, Buffalo was referred to as the "hardest-working team in hockey".{{Cite journal |last=Bailey |first=Budd |title=Ruff front-runner to coach Sabres |journal=The Buffalo News |date=July 18, 1997 |page=1B}} This season also featured the debut of "walk-on" veteran Randy Burridge, who earned a spot on the roster after he attended training camp on a try-out basis. He scored 25 goals that season and was second in team scoring to Pat LaFontaine.{{cite news|url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/this-birthday-in-buffalo-sports-history-randy-burridge/article_c0f6843f-378e-5554-a8d4-2749b6200ace.html|title=This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Randy Burridge|last=Bailey|first=Budd|newspaper=The Buffalo News|date=January 7, 2013|accessdate=March 21, 2025}} Burridge also earned the Tim Horton Award for being the unsung hero and was voted team most valuable player.{{cite news|url=https://buffalonews.com/article_bdbfb2b5-e9ec-5832-9932-64a9fa3a9d3f.html|title=Burridge Receives Horton, Imlach Awards During Pregame Ceremonies|last=Bailey|first=Budd|newspaper=The Buffalo News|date=April 15, 1996|accessdate=March 21, 2025}}

The final game in Memorial Auditorium was played on April 14, 1996, a 4–1 victory over the Hartford Whalers.{{cite web|url=https://www.wivb.com/sports/buffalo-sabres/its-been-26-years-since-the-sabres-last-game-at-the-aud/|title=It's been 26 years since the Sabres' last game at 'The Aud'|last=Anstey|first=Evan|publisher=Nexstar Media Inc.|date=April 14, 2022|website=WIVB.com|accessdate=March 21, 2025}} Sabres principal owner Seymour Knox died a month later, on May 22, 1996.{{cite news|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/seymour-h-knox-iii-is-dead-at-70/article_affce0af-3460-5c6c-84de-4bf335e62d70.html|title=Seymour H. Knox III is Dead at 70|last=Brady|first=Karen|newspaper=The Buffalo News|date=May 22, 1996|accessdate=March 21, 2025}}

Ted Nolan and the Sabres rebounded in 1996–97, their first at Marine Midland Arena, by winning their first division title in 16 years, with Nolan winning the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's top coach,{{cite news|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2024/03/08/red-wings-helped-launch-ted-nolans-unlikely-path-to-nhl-coaching-award/72859072007/|title=Red Wings helped launch Ted Nolan's unlikely path to NHL coaching award|last=Falkner|first=Mark|newspaper=The Detroit News|date=March 8, 2024|accessdate=March 23, 2025}} Dominik Hasek winning both the Hart and Vezina Trophies (the first goaltender to do so since Montreal's Jacques Plante in 1962),{{cite news|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/06/20/hasek-scores-rare-awards-double/|title=Hasek scores rare awards double|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=June 20, 1997|accessdate=March 23, 2025}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.valleybreeze.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/remembering-john-muckler/article_b4a0898a-7a19-575f-b908-bbba9440e28d.html|title=Remembering John Muckler|last=Frederickson|first=Jim|newspaper=The Valley Breeze|date=January 13, 2020|accessdate=March 23, 2025}}

However, the regular season success was overshadowed by what had taken place during the playoffs. Tensions between Nolan and Hasek had been high for most of the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/06/25/hasek-s-feud-with-nolan-lingering/|title=Hasek's feud with Nolan lingering|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=June 25, 1997|accessdate=March 23, 2025}} 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. Hasek claimed he felt his knee pop, and the team doctor pronounced him day-to-day. The Buffalo News columnist Jim Kelley wrote a column that night for the next day's newspaper that detailed the day's events,{{cite news|url=https://www.courant.com/1997/05/04/remember-when-hasek-deflected-it-all/|title=Remember When Hasek Deflected it All?|newspaper=Hartford Courant|date=August 26, 2021|accessdate=March 23, 2025}} which irked Hasek. After the Senators won game five, Hasek came out of the Sabres' training room and attacked Kelley, tearing his shirt.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/04/26/hasek-spits-at-writers-feet-then-pushes-and-swings-at-him/|title=Hasek Spits at Writer's Feet, Then Pushes and Swings at Him|newspaper=The Chicago Tribune|date=August 11, 2021|accessdate=March 23, 2025}} Despite the fact Hasek issued an apology, things went downhill after the incident. Shields starred as the Sabres rallied to win the series against Ottawa. However, before the next series against the Philadelphia Flyers, the NHL announced Hasek had been suspended for three games, with the Sabres informing the NHL Hasek was healthy.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/05/02/hasek-suspended-3-games-after-attack/|title=Hasek Suspended 3 Games After Attack|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=May 2, 1997|accessdate=March 23, 2025}} Set to return in game four with the Sabres down by three games to none, Hasek told the Sabres' coaching staff he felt a twinge in his knee and left the ice after the pre-game skate.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-13-sp-58331-story.html|title=Red Wings Don't Mind the Grind|last=Elliott|first=Helene|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 13, 1997|accessdate=March 23, 2025}} Although the Sabres staved off elimination in game four, they lost in game five.{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/05/26/a-shared-goal-against-the-odds-the-flyers-are-out-to-win-the-stanley-cup-with-the-netminding-by-committee-of-ron-hextall-and-garth-snow|title=A Shared Goal Against the Odds, the Flyers Are Out to Win the Stanley Cup With the Netminding-By-Committee of Ron Hextall and Garth Snow |last=Farber|first=Michael|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=May 26, 1997|accessdate=March 23, 2025}}

Team president Larry Quinn fired general manager John Muckler, who had a noted feud with Nolan.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-15-sp-58879-story.html|title=Sabres End Infighting With Firing of Muckler|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 15, 1997|accessdate=March 24, 2025}} Hasek, who supported Muckler, openly told reporters at the NHL Awards Ceremony he did not respect Nolan. The new general manager, Darcy Regier, offered Nolan just a one-year contract, but Nolan refused. Regier then pulled the contract off the table and did not offer another one, ending Nolan's tenure as Sabres coach.{{cite news|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/06/27/nolan-rejects-1-year-deal-sets-up-exit-from-buffalo/|title=Nolan rejects 1-year deal, sets up exit from Buffalo|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=June 27, 1997|accessdate=March 24, 2025}} Former Sabres captain Lindy Ruff was hired as head coach on July 21, 1997, agreeing to a three-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/sabres-give-coach-lindy-ruff-extension-1.540707|title=Sabres give coach Lindy Ruff extension|publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada|date=October 11, 2005|website=CBC.ca|accessdate=March 24, 2025}}

During the 1997–98 season, the Sabres, which had lost $32 million over the previous three seasons and nearly missed payroll in December 1997, were sold by Northrop Knox to John Rigas, owner of Adelphia Communications.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/12/22/knox-family-to-sell-sabres/b63a5bab-778a-4ec5-9392-8285d291dbd0/|title=Knox family to sell Sabres|newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 22, 1997|accessdate=August 24, 2022}} Shortly thereafter, Quinn was dismissed and replaced by John's son, Timothy Rigas.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2002/07/29/This-Weeks-Issue/Rigas-Charges-Dont-Mention-The-Sabres/|title=Rigas charges don't mention the Sabres|last=Bernstein|first=Andy|magazine=Sports Business Journal|date=July 28, 2002|accessdate=March 24, 2025}} The Sabres reached the conference finals that season, but lost to the Washington Capitals in six games.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/capitals-put-sabres-away-in-ot/|title=Capitals Put Sabres Away In OT|publisher=CBS Interactive Inc.|date=June 4, 1998|website=CBSNews.com|accessdate=March 24, 2025}}

File:Full House at Buffalo's Former Marine Midland Arena for Buffalo Sabres Hockey, 1999.jpg. The Sabres were later crowned the Eastern Conference champions following the 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs.]]

In the 1998–99 season, Miroslav Satan scored 40 goals.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/satan-scores-40th-in-sabres-win/|title=Satan Scores 40th In Sabres Win|publisher=CBS Interactive Inc.|date=April 18, 1999|website=CBSNews.com|accessdate=March 24, 2025}} The Sabres would add centers Stu Barnes from the Pittsburgh Penguins and Joe Juneau from the Capitals.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-looking-back-on-the-sabres-1998-99-season-25-years-later|title=Looking back on the Sabres' 1998-99 season 25 years later|last=Kardaman|first=Katelyn|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L. P.|date=June 7, 2024|website=NHL.com|accessdate=March 24, 2025}} The team returned to the Stanley Cup Finals, this time against the Presidents' Trophy-winning Dallas Stars.{{cite news|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/2020/07/07/sabres-rolled-past-leafs-advance-1999-stanley-cup-finals/3251631001/|title=Maiorana's Memories: Sabres rolled past the Leafs to advance to the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals|last=Maiorana|first=Sal|newspaper=Democrat & Chronicle|date=July 7, 2020|accessdate=March 24, 2025}} In game six, Brett Hull's triple-overtime goal ended the series, and the Stars were awarded the Cup. In 1999, it was illegal to score a goal if an offensive player's skate entered the crease before the puck did. However, NHL officials maintained that Hull's two shots in the goal mouth constituted a single possession of the puck since the puck deflected off Hasek. 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 goaltender.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5568751/2024/06/18/nhl-stanley-cup-contrarian/|title=The Contrarian: Brett Hull's 1999 Stanley Cup goal was good and other fake arguments|last=McIndoe|first=Sean|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 18, 2024|accessdate=March 24, 2025}}

The following season, Doug Gilmour was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/2000/0310/414305.html|title=Blackhawks trade Gilmour to Sabres|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=March 12, 2000|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 25, 2025}} Hasek was also sidelined for three months due to a torn groin, but returned with two months left in the regular season.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/1999/1101/146121.html|title=Hasek's injury worse than feared|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=November 3, 1999|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-15-sp-64543-story.html|title=Hasek Changes His Mind, Plans to Return to Sabres|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|via=The Associated Press|date=February 15, 2000|accessdate=March 25, 2025}} Gilmour on the other hand was stricken by stomach flu just before the postseason.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/gilmour-alters-retirement-plan-1.200496|title=Gilmour alters retirement plan|publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada|date=September 7, 2000|website=CBC.ca|accessdate=March 25, 2025}} Like the previous playoffs season, there would be an officiating controversy. In game two, Flyers left wing John LeClair put the puck in the net through a hole in the mesh. While replays appeared to show the puck entering through the "side" of the net, the goal was allowed to stand.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.br/nhl/2000/20000414/recap/bufphi.html|title=Flyers' phantom goal haunts Sabres|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=April 14, 2000|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 25, 2025}} The Flyers would win the game 2–1 and go on to win the series four games to one.{{cite web|url=https://assets.espn.go.com/nhl/2000/20000420/recap/bufphi.html|title=No 'O,' short postseason for Sabres|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=April 20, 2000|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}

Captain Michael Peca sat out the 2000–01 season due to a contract dispute, and was later traded to the New York Islanders in June 2001 for Tim Connolly and Taylor Pyatt.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jun-25-sp-14470-story.html|title=Sabres Finally Find Way to Trade Holdout Peca|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|via=The Associated Press|date=June 25, 2001|accessdate=March 25, 2025}} Even so, the Sabres still defeated Philadelphia in six games during the first round of the playoffs, winning 8–0 in the final game.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-apr-22-sp-54300-story.html|title=Sabres Leave No Doubt in 8-0 Rout|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|via=The Associated Press|date=April 22, 2001|accessdate=March 25, 2025}} In the second round, they faced the Pittsburgh Penguins but lost via a seventh-game overtime goal scored by defenseman Darius Kasparaitis.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2001/05/11/penguins-survive-overtime-thriller/293f0bf4-ad9f-4e93-a4db-07812aef1f0d/|title=Penguins Survive Overtime Thriller|last=La Confora|first=Jason|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 10, 2001|accessdate=March 25, 2025}} After lengthy and failed negotiations with their star goaltender, the Sabres traded Hasek to the Detroit Red Wings in the summer of 2001,{{cite web|url=https://www.newson6.com/story/5e36819a2f69d76f62095f2a/hasek-traded-to-detroit|title=HASEK traded to Detroit|via=The Associated Press|publisher=Griffin Media|date=July 1, 2001|website=Newson6.com|accessdate=March 25, 2025}} closing out "The Dominator's" career with Buffalo.{{cite magazine|url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/top-shelf-no-goalie-dominated-like-the-dominator|title=Top Shelf: No goalie dominated like the Dominator|last=Dixon|first=Ryan|magazine=The Hockey News|date=June 20, 2008|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}

In May 2002, John Rigas and his sons were indicted for bank, wire and securities fraud for embezzling more than $2 billion from Adelphia. Rigas was later convicted and served eight years of a 15-year sentence before his release in 2016.{{cite web |last1=Rifkin |first1=Glenn |title=John J. Rigas, Cable TV Magnate Who Pillaged His Company, Dies at 96 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/30/obituaries/john-j-rigas-dead.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=November 27, 2024 |date=September 30, 2021}} The NHL took control of the team, though the Rigas family remained owners on paper.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/2002/0620/1397197.html|title=NHL taking over control of the Sabres|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=June 24, 2001|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} After the two-year period of uncertainty, including rumors of relocating to another city or even outright folding,{{cite web|url=https://www.wbfo.org/2002-06-28/the-portland-sabres|title=The Portland Sabres?|publisher=Western New York Public Broadcasting Association|date=June 28, 2002|website=WBFO.org|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} the team was sold to a consortium led by Rochester billionaire, and former New York gubernatorial candidate, Tom Golisano and former Sabres president Larry Quinn.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/2003/0204/1504008.html|title=Golisano reopens talks with NHL over Sabres|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|via=The Associated Press|date=February 8, 2003|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} Golisano was introduced as team owner on March 19, 2003.{{cite web|url=https://www.wbfo.org/2003-03-14/golisano-signs-agreement-to-buy-buffalo-sabres|title=Golisano Signs Agreement to Buy Buffalo Sabres|publisher=Western New York Public Broadcasting Association|date=March 14, 2003|website=WBFO.org|accessdate=March 26, 2025}}

With the 2002–03 season starting under NHL control, general manager Darcy Regier could make only minimal moves. However, with the consultations of impending new ownership, the team began their rebuilding process around the March 2003 trade deadline by clearing out veteran players. The first to go was winger Rob Ray, who was sent to the Ottawa Senators.{{cite news|url=https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Sabres-Trade-Veterans-Barnes-and-Ray-7194792.php|title=Sabres Trade Veterans Barnes and Ray|newspaper=Midland Daily News|date=March 10, 2003|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} The team then sent center and team captain Stu Barnes to the Dallas Stars in exchange for winger Michael Ryan and a draft pick. A third deal sent center Chris Gratton to the Phoenix Coyotes with a draft pick for Daniel Briere and a draft pick.{{cite news|url=https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Sabres-Deal-Gratton-Acquire-Briere-7196179.php|title=Sabres Deal Gratton, Acquire Briere|last=Wawrow|first=John|newspaper=Midland Daily News|date=March 10, 2003|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} Over the summer, Regier also completed a three-team trade that landed them Chris Drury.{{cite web|url=https://a.espncdn.com/nhl/news/2003/0703/1576549.html|title=Sabres trade Ballard to Avs in deal|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|via=The Associated Press|date=July 3, 2003|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} Although the team improved during the 2003–04 season, they did not make the playoffs.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.thehockeynews.com/issue/613997/690381|title=Missing playoffs third year running unwanted first fur deceptive Sabres|last=Kelley|first=Jim|magazine=The Hockey News|date=April 20, 2004|volume=57|issue=33|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} The next season was then curbed by the 2004–05 NHL lockout.

File:Lindyruff 2006nhlawards.jpg was awarded the Jack Adams Award in 2006. He was the second Sabres coach to win the award.]]

In 2005, the Sabres lost their main cable television broadcaster, as the Empire Sports Network, which had been on the air since 1991, ceased operations during the Adelphia scandal and reorganization.{{cite news|url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/lifestyle/health-fitness/2013/09/26/remembering-empire-sports-network/41635976007/|title=Remembering The Empire Sports Network|newspaper=Observer-Dispatch|date=September 26, 2013|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} Like the Sabres, Empire had been owned by Adelphia prior to the NHL's seizure of the franchise. Adelphia sold their rights to Sabres telecasts and for the 2005–06 campaign Madison Square Garden Network (MSG), a New York City-based channel which broadcasts New York Rangers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games, took over the rights to broadcast Sabres games to television viewers in western New York, with the Sabres controlling all aspects of the broadcast. The agreement was later extended through 2017, then again through 2027.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2016/06/24/msg-networks-pegula-sports-and-entertainment-ink-long-term-buffalo-sabres-rights-deal/|title=MSG Networks, Pegula Sports and Entertainment Ink Long-term Buffalo Sabres Rights Deal|publisher=Sports Video Group|date=June 24, 2016|website=SportsVideo.org|accessdate=March 26, 2025}}

In the 2005–06 season, the Sabres finished with their best record in over 20 years and clinching their first playoff berth since the 2000–01 season. The team finished the regular season with 52 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1416244/2019/11/29/which-sabres-team-was-the-best-in-their-50-year-history/|title=Which Sabres team was the best in their 50-year history?|last=Vogl|first=John|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 29, 2019|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} The Sabres tied the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes for the most wins in the Eastern Conference. They finished with the fifth-best record in the NHL, behind Detroit, Ottawa, Dallas and Carolina.{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2006.html|title=2005-06 NHL Summary|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|website=Hockey-Reference.com|accessdate=March 26, 2025}}

Buffalo defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2006 playoffs in six games and top-seeded Ottawa in five games.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/03/sports/hockey/sabres-break-serve-on-road-advancing-to-the-second-round.html|title=Sabres Break Serve on Road, Advancing to the Second Round|last=Diamos|first=Jason|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 3, 2006|accessdate=March 26, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/14/sports/hockey/14nhl.html|title=Sabres Eliminate Top-Seeded Senators|via=The Associated Press|date=May 14, 2006|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} The Sabres advanced to play Carolina in their first conference finals since 1999. However, injuries began to mount. They were forced to play without four of their top defensemen, Teppo Numminen,{{cite news|url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2006/05/28/sabres-optimistic-for-game-5/31484899007/|title=Sabres optimistic for Game 5|last=Oklobjiza|first=Kevin|newspaper=The Gainesville Sun|via=Democrat & Chronicle|date=May 28, 2006|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} Dmitri Kalinin, Jay McKee,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/playoffs2006/news/story?id=2469413|title=Sabres' McKee says leg infection is healing|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=June 3, 2006|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} and Henrik Tallinder, and their top powerplay scorer, Tim Connolly, for much of the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/playoffs2006/news/story?id=2438061|title=Sabres' Connolly leaves game after hard hit|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=May 8, 2006|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} Despite this, the Sabres forced the series to seven games before falling to the eventual Stanley Cup champions Carolina.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/980964/2019/05/16/it-haunts-you-for-the-rest-of-your-life-reliving-the-2006-eastern-conference-final-when-the-sabres-magic-ran-out/|title='It haunts you for the rest of your life': Reliving the 2006 Eastern Conference Final when the Sabres' magic ran out|last=Graham|first=Tim|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 16, 2019|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} The Sabres' impressive season was recognized on June 22, 2006, at the NHL Awards Ceremony when Lindy Ruff edged Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette to win the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in the closest vote in the award's history.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-jack-adams-award-winners-complete-list-287911968|title=NHL Jack Adams Award Winners|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L. P.|date=May 22, 2024|website=NHL.com|accessdate=March 26, 2025}} Ruff was the second Sabres coach to win the award.

File:Thomas Vanek.jpg was re-signed in 2007 after the Edmonton Oilers offered him a seven-year offer sheet.]]

The Sabres started the 2006–07 season 10–0, setting a new franchise record for consecutive wins to start a season, and becoming just the second team in NHL history, after the 1993–94 Toronto Maple Leafs, to open a season with a ten-game winning streak.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-oct-29-sp-nhl29-story.html|title=Thrashers End Sabres' Winning Streak at 10|via=The Associated Press|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=October 29, 2006|accessdate=March 27, 2025}} They also 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) after a 7–4 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on November 13, 2006.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-nov-14-sp-nhl14-story.html|title=Sabres reach 10-0 on road with win|via=The Associated Press|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=November 14, 2006|accessdate=March 27, 2025}} This record would be beaten by the 2023–24 Los Angeles Kings.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5121847/2023/12/07/kings-nhl-road-wins-record/|title=Kings set NHL record for most road wins to start a season with 11th victory vs. Canadiens|last=Stephens|first=Eric|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 7, 2023|accessdate=March 27, 2025}} The team reached the 50-win plateau for the second time in franchise history. The Sabres won the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in franchise history, giving them the home-ice advantage for their entire run in the 2007 playoffs. They also tied the 1974–75 team's franchise record for points in a season.{{cite news|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/this-day-in-buffalo-sports-history-april-7-2007-sabres-win-presidents-trophy/article_3f3f75a7-39d9-51be-bbfb-afb2ad14051d.html|title=This Day in Buffalo Sports History, April 7, 2007: Sabres win Presidents' Trophy|last=Bailey|first=Budd|newspaper=Buffalo News|date=April 7, 2011|accessdate=March 27, 2025}} The team defeated the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers to reach their second consecutive conference finals.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/21/sports/hockey/21islanders.html|title=Isles' Late Comeback Falls Short, and Sabres Advance|last=Higgins|first=Matt|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 21, 2007|accessdate=March 27, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-may-07-sp-nhl7-story.html|title=Sabres advance to East finals by beating Rangers|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 7, 2007|accessdate=March 27, 2025}} However, on May 19, they were eliminated by the Ottawa Senators after five games.{{cite news|url=https://www.poconorecord.com/story/sports/2007/05/20/alfredsson-senators-eliminate-sabres-in/52848481007/|title=Alfredsson, Senators eliminate Sabres in overtime|last=Wawrow|first=John|newspaper=Pocono Record|date=May 20, 2007|accessdate=March 27, 2025}}

In the April 9, 2007, issue of ESPN the Magazine, the team ranked first of 122 major professional sports franchises in North America. The Sabres were cited for their player accessibility, low ticket prices and exciting brand of hockey.{{cite web|last=Keating |first=Peter |title=Ultimate Standings: Buffalo Sabres Are No. 1! |website=ESPN.com|date=March 28, 2007|url=https://www.espn.com/chat/sportsnation/story?page=ultimatestandings07No1team|accessdate=March 27, 2025}}

On July 1, 2007, the Sabres lost both co-captains, with Daniel Briere going to the Philadelphia Flyers and Chris Drury going to the New York Rangers as free agents.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/30/sports/hockey/30sportsbriefs-Bri232re.html|title=Brière Becomes Free Agent|via=The Associated Press|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 30, 2007|accessdate=March 27, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=6643958|title=Report: Rangers to buy out Chris Drury|publisher=ESPN Enterprsies, Inc.|date=June 9, 2011|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 27, 2025}} The team also nearly lost Thomas Vanek to the Edmonton Oilers, which offered him a seven-year, $50 million offer sheet, but the Sabres matched the offer on July 6.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2927805|title=Sabres draw the line, match Oilers' offer sheet for Vanek|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=July 6, 2007|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 27, 2025}} After these events, the team changed its policy of not negotiating contracts during the regular season.{{cite web|url=https://wyrk.com/buffalo-sabres-july-1st-2007/|title=15-Year Anniversary of the Worst Day in Buffalo Sabres History|last=Owen|first=Chris|publisher=106.5 WYRK, Townsquare Media, Inc.|date=July 1, 2022|website=WYRK.com|accessdate=March 27, 2025}} Long-time Sabres broadcast color commentator Jim Lorentz announced his retirement during the preseason.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=3036736|title=Lorentz, tired of travel schedule, retires from Sabres booth|via=The Associated Press|date=September 26, 2007|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 27, 2025}} Hockey Night in Canada's Harry Neale took over the position in October 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/harry-neale-joining-sabres-booth-report-1.688223|title=Harry Neale joining Sabres booth: report|publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada|date=October 1, 2007|website=CBC.ca|accessdate=March 27, 2025}}

File:NHL Winter Classic 2008.jpg at Ralph Wilson Stadium in the inaugural Winter Classic.]]

During the 2007–08 season, the Sabres hosted a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 1, 2008, which was played outdoors at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL).{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/winterclassic/index.html |title=2008 Winter Classic |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514180538/http://www.nhl.com/winterclassic/index.html |archive-date=May 14, 2008}} The 2008 Winter Classic, known colloquially as the "Ice Bowl" due to it taking place at the same time as college football's bowl games.{{cite news|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2008/01/02/2008-Winter-Classic-Photo-Journal/stories/200801020129|title=2008 Winter Classic PHoto Journal|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|accessdate=March 27, 2025}} The Sabres lost 2–1 in a shootout.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/sports/hockey/02hockey.html|title=Winter Wonderland for Crosby and N.H.L.|last=Higgins|first=Matt|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 2, 2008|accessdate=March 27, 2025}} The Sabres failed to qualify for the 2008 playoffs and 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.{{cite news|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/article_57247288-e986-540e-a7a3-d2e153966294.html|title=OVER AND OUT Habs top Sabres; end postseason hopes Buffalo completes fall from Presidents' Trophy to missing playoffs|last=Vogl|first=John|newspaper=Buffalo News|date=April 4, 2008|accessdate=March 27, 2025}}

On June 10, the Sabres officially announced their new AHL affiliate, beginning in the 2008–09 season, would be the Portland Pirates from Portland, Maine. This ended their 29-year affiliation with the Rochester Americans. They signed with the Pirates for two seasons, with a parent club option for a third.{{cite web|url=http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=365596|title=Portland Pirates Become New AHL Affiliate for Buffalo Sabres|access-date=June 10, 2008|publisher=Buffalo Sabres|year=2008|author=Buffalo Sabres|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612215037/http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=365596|archive-date=June 12, 2008}} In the offseason, the Sabres acquired Craig Rivet from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a second-round draft pick in each of the next two drafts.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/sharks-ship-craig-rivet-to-buffalo-1.751606|title=Sharks ship Craig Rivet to Buffalo|publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada|date=July 4, 2008|website=CBC.ca|accessdate=March 28, 2025}} The Sabres also extended the contracts of some players including Ryan Miller (five years) and Jason Pominville (five years).{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/sabres-give-netminder-miller-five-year-extension-idUSN1814750/|title=Sabres give netminder Miller five-year extension|publisher=Reuters|date=July 18, 2008|website=Reuters.com|accessdate=March 28, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=3596003|title=Sabres retain new leader Pominville with five-year extension|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=September 18, 2008|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 28, 2025}} Miller was slated to become an unrestricted free agent the upcoming season while Pominville was set to become a restricted free agent. On October 8, the Sabres named defenseman Craig Rivet team captain, the first single full-time captain since Stu Barnes' term from 2001 to 2003.{{cite news|url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/sabres-rivet-named-team-captain/article_bf8c9c6f-e103-50c8-a8d6-50b855131973.html|title=SABRES: Rivet named team captain|newspaper=Niagara Gazette|date=October 8, 2008|accessdate=March 28, 2025}} The team was also active at the trade deadline. First, they signed Tim Connolly to a two-year, $4.2 million extension, then acquired Mikael Tellqvist from the Phoenix Coyotes for a fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=3950677|title=NHL trades and moves: March 4|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=March 9, 2009|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 28, 2025}} Dominic Moore came from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a second-round pick in the 2009 draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/moore-sabress-trade/|title=Leafs' Moore sent to young Sabres|publisher=Rogers Media|date=September 13, 2009|website=Sportsnet.ca|accessdate=March 28, 2025}} On April 9, the Buffalo Sabres were eliminated from the playoffs.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/10/sports/hockey/10nhl.html|title=Devils Top Senators and Claim Division|via=The Associated Press|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 9, 2009|accessdate=March 28, 2025}}

File:Mikael Tellqvist.jpg was acquired by the Sabres on March 4, 2009. He was their backup goaltender for the remainder of the 2008–09 season.]]

General manager Darcy Regier announced on the first day of free agency for the following season the Sabres had signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Steve Montador to a two-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/4300406/|title=Sabres land free-agent D Montador|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=July 1, 2025|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 28, 2025}} After only playing two games with Buffalo that season, Daniel Paille was traded to the Boston Bruins on October 20, 2009, in exchange for a third-round and a conditional fourth-round draft selection. Paille's move to Boston marked the first ever trade of a player under contract between the two division rivals in their common 39 years in the NHL.{{cite web|last=Vogl|first=John|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/833930.html|title=Sabres move forward without Paille|work=Buffalo News|access-date=October 21, 2009|archive-date=May 24, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524233641/http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/article17912.ece|url-status=dead}} Tyler Ennis, who was selected 26th in the 2008 draft, made his NHL debut this season.{{cite web|url=https://chl.ca/whl-tigers/tigers-alumni-tyler-ennis-named-to-2009-10-ahl-all-rookie-team/|title=Tigers Alumni Tyler Ennis Named To 2009-10 AHL All-Rookie Team|publisher=Medicine Hat Tiger Hockey Club|website=CHL.ca|accessdate=March 28, 2025}} On January 1, the Sabres became the first team to win consecutive games when trailing by three or more goals since the Dallas Stars did it in 2005–06; Buffalo defeated the Atlanta Thrashers 4–3 in overtime. It was Buffalo's second straight win in a game it trailed 3–0, following a 4–3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/story/?id=304350&hubname=nhl-sabres |title=Sabres overcome three-goal deficit to defeat Thrashers |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=March 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628192227/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/story/?id=304350&hubname=nhl-sabres |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |url-status=dead}} On March 27, the Sabres clinched their first playoff berth since 2006–07 with a 7–1 rout of the Tampa Bay Lightning.{{cite web|url=https://nesn.com/2010/03/sabres-rout-lightning-71-to-clinch-playoff-spot/|title=Sabres Rout Lightning 7-1 to Clinch Playoff Spot|publisher=New England Sports Network|date=March 27, 2010|website=NESN.com|accessdate=March 28, 2025}} On April 6, the Sabres clinched the Northeast Division title by defeating the New York Rangers by a score of 5–2.{{cite news|url=https://cdapress.com/news/2010/apr/07/sabres-clinch-sixth-northeast-division-5/|title=Sabres clinch sixth Northeast Division|via=The Associated Press|newspaper=Couer d'Alene|date=April 7, 2010|accessdate=March 28, 2025}} However, they were defeated in six games by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs.{{cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2010/04/26/bruins-beat-sabres-4-3-to-win-series-in-6-games/|title=Bruins beat Sabres 4-3 to win series in 6 games|newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune|date=August 30, 2016|accessdate=March 28, 2025}}

The 2010–11 roster did not have many significant changes in the offseason. One of the most notable was the team's decision to waive center Tim Kennedy, a Buffalo native, to avoid paying the award he won in arbitration.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/report-buffalo-sabres-waive-tim-kennedy-plan-to-buy-him-out|title=Report: Buffalo Sabres waive Tim Kennedy, plan to buy him out|last=Yerdon|first=Joe|publisher=NBCUniversal|date=August 2, 2010|website=NBCSports.com|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} Defensemen Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman were allowed to leave as free agents,{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/2010-nhl-free-agency-new-jersey-devils-sign-d-henrik-tallinder-to-4-year-contract|title=2010 NHL Free Agency: New Jersey Devils sign D Henrik Tallinder to 4-year contract|publisher=NBCUinversal|date=July 1, 2010|website=NBCSports.com|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=5346577|title=Ducks sign Lydman to 3-year deal|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=July 1, 2010|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} while the team signed veterans Jordan Leopold and Shaone Morrisonn to replace them.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=5346838|title=Sabres, Leopold agree to deal|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=July 1, 2010|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=5432487|title=Sabres sign Shaone Morrisonn|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=August 2, 2010|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} Additionally, center Rob Niedermayer was added as a Stanley Cup-winning, veteran presence.{{cite news|url=https://www.columbian.com/news/2010/jul/07/sabres-sign-free-agent-rob-niedermayer/|title=Sabres sign free agent Rob Niedermayer|via=The Associated Press|newspaper=The Columbian|date=July 7, 2010|accessdate=July 7, 2010}}

File:Terry Pegula 2015.jpg was finalized.]]

On November 30, 2010, Ken Campbell of The Hockey News reported a story that billionaire Terry Pegula had signed a letter of intent to purchase the Sabres for US$150 million. Pegula was the founder, president and CEO of East Resources, one of the largest privately held companies in the United States before he sold the company.{{cite web |url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/36744-THNcom-Blog-Explaining-the-potential-Sabres-sale.html |title=Ken Campbell's blog: THN.com Blog: Explaining the potential Sabres sale |work=The Hockey News |access-date=March 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717004842/http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/36744-THNcom-Blog-Explaining-the-potential-Sabres-sale.html |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |url-status=dead}} After the report was released, Sabres managing partner Larry Quinn claimed it was "untrue" but refused further comment.{{cite web|author=Luke Moretti Posted by: Emily Lenihan |url=http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/Report-Billionaire-aims-to-buy-Sabres |title=Report: Billionaire aims to buy Sabres |publisher=WIVB.com |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109132000/http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/Report-Billionaire-aims-to-buy-Sabres |archive-date=January 9, 2011}} The $150 million was later determined to be an undervalued amount, as Forbes magazine had valued the team at just under $170 million in 2010. In December, Pegula officially expressed interest in buying the Sabres for $170 million and submitted a letter of intent to the NHL. In January, Golisano reportedly issued a counteroffer with an asking price of US$175 million.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2010/12/sabres-price-tag-175-million.html |title=Sabres Edge – Blogs – The Buffalo News |publisher=Blogs.buffalonews.com |date=December 1, 2010 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206010307/http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2010/12/sabres-price-tag-175-million.html |archive-date=December 6, 2010}} Pegula and Golisano reached an agreement to sell the team on January 29, 2011, with Pegula purchasing the team for $189 million ($175 million with $14 million in debt included) with the Sabres and Golisano officially making an announcement in a press conference on February 3, 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2011/02/03/sabres-owner-turned-down-earlier-sale-offer/|title=Sabres owner turned down earlier sale offer|newspaper=San Diego Union-Tribune|date=February 3, 2011|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} NHL owners approved the sale on February 18.{{cite web |author=Wawrow, John |url=http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/NHL-approves-sale-of-Sabres-to-Pegula |title=Pegula set to take over Sabres |publisher=Wivb.com |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220054717/http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/NHL-approves-sale-of-Sabres-to-Pegula |archive-date=February 20, 2011}}

In the conference, it was stated that an unnamed bidder submitted a much higher bid than Pegula's, but made the bid contingent upon moving the team.{{cite web|title=Golisano turned down higher bid for Sabres |url=http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/Golisano-turned-down-higher-bid-for-Sabres |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205085231/http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/Golisano-turned-down-higher-bid-for-Sabres|url-status=dead|date=February 3, 2011 |archive-date=February 5, 2011}} The description is consistent with that of Jim Balsillie, who has made public his efforts to move a team to Hamilton, Ontario, a move the Sabres have actively opposed. Terry Pegula named former Pittsburgh Penguins executive Ted Black to be team president.{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabres-nhl/article349065.ece|title=Team looking forward to executive decisions|work=Buffalo News|access-date=February 23, 2011}} Pegula was introduced as the Sabres' owner in a public ceremony at HSBC Arena on February 23, accompanied by what would be the final appearance of all three members of The French Connection before Rick Martin's death three weeks later.{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailynewsonline.com/terry-pegula-with-french-connection/article_06d5137c-c1e8-536d-87a0-ed753911ab61.html|title=Terry Pegula with French Connection|newspaper=The Daily News|date=March 13, 2011|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} Around the 2010–11 trade deadline, the team attempted to trade Craig Rivet, but was unsuccessful. After initially clearing waivers, Rivet entered re-entry waivers and was claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/blue-jackets-claim-craig-rivet-off-waivers-1.1109101|title=Blue Jackets claim Craig Rivet off waivers|via=The Associated Press|publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada|date=February 26, 2011|website=CBC.ca|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} Late on February 27, the team acquired Brad Boyes from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a second-round draft pick.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=6166050|title=Sabres acquire sniper Brad Boyes|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=February 27, 2011|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} This was the Sabres' sole trade of the deadline. After Pegula's official takeover of the team, the Sabres finished the regular season 16–4–4, never losing two consecutive games in that span, and landed the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/miller-shutout-sabres-canadiens-game-story/|title=Miller stops 34 as Sabres shutout Canadiens|via=The Associated Press|publisher=Rogers Media|date=March 22, 2011|website=Sportsnet.ca|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} Pegula's approach was credited by players, fans and the public with bringing new energy to the team, sparking a run to the playoffs that seemed improbable only months earlier.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/buffalo-sabres-turn-around-under-new-owner-terry-pegula|title=Buffalo Sabres turn-around under new owner Terry Pegula|last=Reitz|first=Matt|publisher=NBCUniversal|date=March 30, 2011|website=NBCSports.com|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} On April 8, the Sabres clinched a playoff berth for the second consecutive season, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4–3 in overtime.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/vanek-scores-in-ot-sabres-clinch-playoff-berth/|title=Sabres Clinch Playoff Berth With OT Win Over Flyers|publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc.|date=April 8, 2011|website=CBSNews.com|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} The Sabres clinched the seventh seed and faced Philadelphia in the first round. The Sabres had a three games to two lead but lost the series in seven games.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/27/sports/hockey/27nhl.html|title=Briere Helps Flyers Oust the Sabres|last=Klein|first= Jeff Z.|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 26, 2011|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}

The Sabres began the 2011–12 season as part of the 2011 NHL Premiere series for the first time, playing games in Finland and Germany. The team was particularly well-received during a game against Adler Mannheim in Mannheim, the hometown of Sabres forward Jochen Hecht; a contingent of 65 Adler fans traveled from Germany to Buffalo in February 2012 to witness a Sabres game against the Boston Bruins.{{cite web|last=Kulyk|first=Andrew|date=February 9, 2012|url=http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/2012/02/09/the-mannheim-fans-land-in-buffalo/|title=The Mannheim fans land in Buffalo|work=Artvoice|access-date=February 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323105254/http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/2012/02/09/the-mannheim-fans-land-in-buffalo/|archive-date=March 23, 2016|url-status=dead}} Prior to the first game, Lindy Ruff named Jason Pominville the Sabres' 13th full-time captain in team history.{{cite news|title=Sabres name Pominville as captain|url=http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2011/10/sabres-name-pominville-as-captain.html|access-date=October 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617155926/http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2011/10/sabres-name-pominville-as-captain.html|archive-date=June 17, 2013|url-status=dead}} The Sabres began the season relatively strong but collapsed after a Boston Bruins game in which Bruins forward Milan Lucic hit and injured goaltender Ryan Miller;{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nhl/story/_/id/7235003/boston-bruins-milan-lucic-suspended-ryan-miller-hit|title=Bruins' Milan Lucic won't be suspended|last=McDonald|first=Joe|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=November 14, 2011|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} the subsequent months saw the Sabres collapse to last place in the Eastern Conference. Despite a two-month rally that began in February along with the emergence of rookie forward Marcus Foligno,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2012/03/28/sabres-turnaround-could-be-historic|title=Sabres' turnaround could be historic|last=Hackel|first=Stu|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=March 28, 2012|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} the Sabres lost the last two games of the regular season and fell three points short of a playoff spot.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/05/08/sabres-just-miss-playoff-spot/|title=Sabres just miss playoff spot|via=Reuters|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=May 8, 2012|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}

File:Jason Pominville 2013-02-17.JPG was named the 13th Sabres team captain before the start of the 2011–12 season.]]

The 2012–13 NHL lockout eliminated the first part of the 2012–13 season, which ultimately began with a scheduled 48 games.{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Kevin|title=NHL schedule released, features 48 games in 99 days|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2013/01/12/nhl-schedule-48-games/1829661/|work=USA Today Sports|access-date=February 14, 2013|date=January 12, 2013}} After a 6–10–1 start to the season, the contract of long-time head coach Lindy Ruff was terminated by general manager Darcy Regier on February 20, 2013, ending 16 seasons as head coach. Ruff was replaced by Ron Rolston first on an interim basis, then permanently after the season ended.{{cite web|url=http://www.wgr550.com/Sabres-Name-Ron-Rolston-as-Interim-Head-Coach/15580575|title=Sabres Name Ron Rolston As Interim Head Coach|publisher=WGR|access-date=February 20, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116204543/http://www.wgr550.com/Sabres-Name-Ron-Rolston-as-Interim-Head-Coach/15580575|archive-date=January 16, 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/sabres-to-name-rolston-permanent-head-coach/article_0d16fa0b-acf8-557d-95c2-7261c2070e59.html|title=Sabres to name Rolston permanent head coach|newspaper=Niagara-Gazette|date=May 7, 2013|accessdate=March 31, 2025}} In the days leading up to it, the Sabres were active in trades. On March 15, the Sabres' first trade sent T. J. Brennan to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a fifth-round pick (originally owned by the Los Angeles Kings) in the 2013 draft.{{cite web|url=http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/trade-sabres-send-d-man-tj-brennan-to-florida/ |title=Trade: Sabres send d-man TJ Brennan to Florida | ProHockeyTalk |date=March 16, 2013 |publisher=Prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com |access-date=January 16, 2014}} On March 30, the Sabres traded Jordan Leopold to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a second-round pick and a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2013 draft.{{cite web| url = http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=662953&navid=nhl:topheads | title = Blues get Leopold in trade with Sabres | publisher=National Hockey League | date =March 30, 2013 | access-date =March 30, 2013}} On April 1, the Sabres traded Robyn Regehr to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for two-second round draft choices (one in 2014 and the other in 2015).{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130401/SPORTS/130409918/1004|title=Sabres send Regehr to Kings – Sports|work=The Buffalo News|access-date=January 16, 2014|archive-date=December 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234647/http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130401/SPORTS/130409918/1004|url-status=dead}} The final trade came on the day of the trade deadline, April 3, where the Sabres sent Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild for Johan Larsson and Matt Hackett. At the time of the official announcement, it was not clear if there were other parts of the deal as the trade was still pending NHL approval.{{cite web |url=http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130403/SPORTS/130409776/1109 |title=Sabres trade captain Pominville to Minnesota Wild – Sports |work=The Buffalo News |date=April 3, 2013 |access-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-date=December 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231002723/http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130403/SPORTS/130409776/1109 |url-status=dead}} It was later revealed that draft picks were also involved in the deal: the Wild would receive a fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft, and the Sabres would receive a first-round pick in the 2013 draft and a second-round pick in the 2014 draft.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2013/04/03/jason-pominville-trade-buffalo-sabres-minnesota-wild/2050735/|title=Buffalo Sabres trade Jason Pominville to Minnesota Wild|via=The Associated Press|date=April 3, 2013|newspaper=USA Today|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}

The following season, on November 13, 2013, the team dismissed general manager Darcy Regier and head coach Ron Rolston.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/nhl/story/_/id/9970624/buffalo-sabres-fire-coach-ron-rolston-general-manager-darcy-regier|title=Sabres fire Ron Rolston, Darcy Regier|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=November 13, 2013|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 31, 2025}} Former Sabres head coach Ted Nolan was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season (he later signed a three-year contract extension) and Pat LaFontaine was named president of hockey operations. On January 9, 2014, Tim Murray was named general manager.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/tim-murray-hired-as-new-sabres-gm-facing-major-decisions-right-away/|title=Tim Murray hired as new Sabres GM, facing major decisions right away|last=Stubits|first=Brian|publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc.|date=January 9, 2014|website=CBSSports.com|accessdate=March 31, 2025}} On February 28, 2014, Murray made his first major trade, sending star goaltender Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for goaltender Jaroslav Halak, forwards Chris Stewart and William Carrier and two draft picks.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/ryan-miller-traded-to-st-louis-blues-in-blockbuster-deal/|title=Ryan Miller traded to St. Louis Blues in blockbuster deal|last=Peters|first=Chris|publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc.|date=February 28, 2014|website=CBSSports.com|accessdate=April 1, 2025}} After just over three months as president of hockey operations, Pat LaFontaine resigned from the Sabres to return to his previous position with the NHL on March 1, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/10538845/pat-lafontaine-resigns-buffalo-sabres-president-hockey-operations|title=Pat LaFontaine resigns from Sabres|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=March 1, 2014|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 1, 2014}} Among highlights in the otherwise bad 2013–14 season included the "butt goal" in which a severely short-staffed Sabres won their December 23 contest against the Phoenix Coyotes when Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith backed into his own goal with the puck lodged in his pants,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2013/12/24/mike-smith-butt-goal|title=Mike Smith's 'Butt Goal' Will Surely Go Down in Infamy|last=Treadway|first=Dan|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=December 24, 2013|accessdate=April 1, 2025}} and the lone NHL appearance of former Lancaster High School goaltender Ryan Vinz, who was working as a videographer in the Sabres organization, to suit up as a backup goaltender in the wake of the Ryan Miller trade.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/sabres-call-on-emergency-backup-goalie-after-ryan-miller-trade/|title=Sabres call on emergency backup goalie after Ryan Miller trade|last=Peters|first=Chris|publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc.|date=February 28, 2014|website=CBSSports.com|accessdate=April 1, 2025}} The Sabres finished the 2013–14 season last in the NHL and again missed the playoffs.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/tsn-ca-s-2014-15-nhl-season-preview-buffalo-sabres-1.85803|title=TSN.ca's 2014-15 NHL Season Preview: Buffalo Sabres|publisher=Bell Media|date=September 7, 2014|website=TSN.ca|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}

File:Jack Eichel - Buffalo Sabres.jpg with the second overall pick in the 2015 NHL entry draft.]]

Despite winning two more games than the previous season, the 2014–15 season was much like the previous one, with the team sitting near the bottom of the standings the entire season, and finishing last in the NHL.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewkory/2015/03/25/tanking-buffalo-sabres-connor-mcdavid-jack-eichel-draft-losing/|title=The Buffalo Sabres Are Truly Terrible On Purpose But Sadly It Might Not Matter|last=Kory|first=Matthew|publisher= Forbes Media, LLC|date=March 25, 2015|website=Forbes.com|accessdate=April 1, 2025}} On March 26, 2015, during a 4–3 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes, spectators at the game, ostensibly fans of the Sabres, cheered after a game-winning goal by Coyotes center Sam Gagner. Said fans were more eager to see the team lose (the Sabres and Coyotes were 29th and 30th in the standings at the time) in the hopes that it would ensure the team would deliberately lose to finish in last place and guarantee a top-two pick in the 2015 NHL entry draft, which included two extremely highly touted prospects, Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel. These spectators' "embrace the tank" philosophy led to criticism from the media and Sabres players for how the fans reacted.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=759960|title=Sabres unhappy after fans cheer Gagner's winning goal in OT that gives Coyotes 4–3 win|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=May 26, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/sabres-fans-cheer-coyotes-ot-win-in-buffalo-1.3012014|title=Sabres fans cheer Coyotes' OT win in Buffalo|last=Campigotto|first=Jesse|publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada|date=March 27, 2015|website=CBC.ca|accessdate=April 1, 2025}} The Sabres clinched last place with a loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 10 and got the second pick in the draft which they used to select Eichel.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/2015-nhl-draft-sabres-select-jack-eichel-with-no-2-pick/|title=2015 NHL Draft: Sabres select Jack Eichel with No. 2 pick|last=Peters|first=Chris|publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc.|date=June 26, 2015|website=CBSSports.com|accessdate=April 1, 2025}} Murray fired Nolan at the end of the season, citing a lack of chemistry between them.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/12676102/buffalo-sabres-fire-ted-nolan-coach|title=Last-place Sabres fire coach Ted Nolan|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=April 12, 2015|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 1, 2025}} On May 28, 2015, Dan Bylsma was hired as the 17th head coach in franchise history.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/sabres/2015/05/28/buffalo-sabres-hire-ex-penguins-coach-dan-bylsma/28088795/|title=Buffalo Sabres hire ex-Penguins coach Dan Bylsma|via=The Associated Press|newspaper=USA Today|date=May 28, 2015|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}

The hiring of Bylsma, the drafting of Eichel and 2014 second overall pick Sam Reinhart, the acquisition of star centerman Ryan O'Reilly in the off-season,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/13156263/colorado-avalanche-trade-ryan-oreilly-buffalo-sabres|title=Avs trade Ryan O'Reilly, Jamie McGinn to Sabres in youth movement|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=June 26, 2015|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 1, 2025}} and the rising performance of youngsters Zemgus Girgensons, Jake McCabe and Rasmus Ristolainen resulted in an improved season in 2015–16. Even though the Sabres again missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, the team managed to finish just under .500 in points percentage with a 27-point improvement over the previous season.{{cite news|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/columnist/roth/2017/02/20/roth-february-turnaround-has-sabres-knocking-playoff-door/98155246/|title=Turnaround has Sabres knocking on playoff door|last=Roth|first=Leo|newspaper=Democrat & Chronicle|date=February 20, 2017|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}

In mid-2016, the team announced that its television broadcasts would be spun off to their own regional sports network, MSG Western New York. The new network continues to operate under the MSG banner but under Pegula Sports and Entertainment control and features additional programs centered around the Sabres and the Buffalo Bills, which the Pegulas purchased separately in 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2016/06/24/msg-networks-pegula-sports-and-entertainment-ink-long-term-buffalo-sabres-rights-deal/|title=MSG Networks, Pegula Sports and Entertainment Ink Long-term Buffalo Sabres Rights Deal|publisher=Sports Video Group|date=June 24, 2016|website=SVG.org|accessdate=April 2, 2025}} The team failed to make significant progress, and in fact slightly regressed, in 2016–17, missing the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, leading to the firings of both head coach Dan Bylsma and general manager Tim Murray on April 20, 2017.{{cite news|last=Perez |first=A. J. |title=Buffalo Sabres fire coach Dan Bylsma, GM Tim Murray |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/04/20/buffalo-sabres-fire-coach-dan-bylsma-gm-tim-murray/100690748/ |newspaper=USA Today|date=April 20, 2017|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}

File:Phil Housley 2017-11-14 2.jpg during the 2017–18 season. Housley was named the Sabres' head coach the preceding off-season. He would be fired following the 2018–19 season.]]

During the 2017 off-season, the Sabres hired two of their former players as head coach and general manager: Jason Botterill as general manager and Phil Housley as head coach.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19357485/buffalo-sabres-hire-jason-botterill-pittsburgh-penguins-general-manager|title=Seeking structure, Sabres hire Jason Botterill as GM|via=The Associted Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=May 11, 2017|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2017/06/15/sabres-hire-predators-phil-housley-head-coach/392913001/|title=Sabres hire Predators' Phil Housley as head coach|last=Vingan|first=Adam|newspaper=The Tennessean|date=June 15, 2017|accessdate=April 2, 2025}} Among the more notable roster changes for this season was the return of former scoring leader Jason Pominville to the team in a trade that brought him and defenseman Marco Scandella to Buffalo in exchange for sending forwards Tyler Ennis and Marcus Foligno to the Minnesota Wild.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19774941/minnesota-wild-acquire-tyler-ennis-marcus-foligno-trade-buffalo-sabres|title=Sabres acquire Jason Pominville, Marco Scandella from Wild|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=June 30, 2017|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}

In the 2017–18 season, the Sabres participated in the 2018 Winter Classic, losing 3–2 in overtime to the New York Rangers.{{cite web |last1=Battaglino |first1=Mike |title=Miller overtime goal lifts Rangers past Sabres in Winter Classic |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-rangers-buffalo-sabres-game-recap/c-294559736 |website=NHL.com |date=January 1, 2018 |access-date=January 6, 2019}} Buffalo finished in last place in the NHL for the third time in five seasons and won the draft lottery for the 2018 NHL entry draft for the first time since 1987, using the pick to select Rasmus Dahlin from Frolunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/23878724/buffalo-sabres-select-swedish-defenseman-rasmus-dahlin-first-overall-pick-nhl-draft|title=Sabres make Rasmus Dahlin first overall pick; Hurricanes take Andrei Svechnikov at No. 2|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=June 22, 2018|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}

On November 27, 2018, the Sabres became the first team in NHL history to lead the league in points after the first 25 games of the season after finishing last in the league the previous season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/25396763/buffalo-sabres-make-history-worst-first-run|title=Sabres move to first, make history after last-place finish in 2017–18|last=Kaplan|first=Emily|date=November 28, 2018|publisher=ESPN|access-date=November 28, 2018}} The team won 10 games in a row for the first time since the 2006–07 season and tied the franchise record.{{cite web |last1=Lysowski |first1=Lance |title=Sabres tie franchise record with 10th win in a row |url=https://buffalonews.com/2018/11/27/the-wraparound-sabres-3-sharks-2-ot/ |website=The Buffalo News |access-date=December 12, 2018 |date=November 27, 2018 |quote=...for the third 10-game winning streak in franchise history and first since 2006–07. |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223909/https://buffalonews.com/2018/11/27/the-wraparound-sabres-3-sharks-2-ot/ |url-status=dead}} Jeff Skinner became the seventh player in franchise history to score 20 or more goals in less than 27 games, and only the second player to score 20 goals before December.{{cite web |last1=Bove |first1=Matt |title=5 Observations: Panthers top Sabres 3–2 in OT |url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/5-observations-panthers-top-sabres-3-2-in-ot |website=WKBW |access-date=December 12, 2018 |date=November 30, 2018}} The team then collapsed and missed the playoffs, leading to Housley's firing at the end of the season.{{cite web |title=Sabres relieve Housley of coaching duties |url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-relieve-housley-of-coaching-duties/c-306525442 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 8, 2019 |date=April 7, 2019}}

On March 21, 2019, it was announced that the Sabres would play the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2019 NHL Global Series at Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden.{{cite web |title=Global Series games announced |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2019-nhl-global-series-games-announced/c-305921940 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 1, 2019 |date=March 21, 2019}} Ralph Krueger was named the Sabres head coach in May 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/26750341/sabres-hire-krueger-housley-replacement|title=Sabres hire Krueger as Housley's replacement|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=May 14, 2019|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}

In the 2019–20 season, the Lightning defeated the Sabres 5–3 in the Global Series on November 9, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/victor-hedman-scores-in-return-to-sweden-lightning-sweep-sabres-in-nhl-global-series|title=Victor Hedman scores in return to Sweden, Lightning sweep Sabres in NHL Global Series|publisher=Fox Media LLC and Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC|date=November 9, 2019|website=FoxSports.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}} The team traded a draft pick for Jimmy Vesey and during the season traded Scandella for a draft pick.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/27096797/sabres-acquire-forward-vesey-rangers|title=Sabres acquire forward Vesey from Rangers|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=July 1, 2019|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/28412030/sabres-trade-marco-scandella-montreal-acquire-flames-michael-frolik|title=Sabres trade Marco Scandella to Montreal, acquire Flames' Michael Frolik|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=January 2, 2020|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}} Even with 24 teams making the expanded playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sabres finished with a 30–31–8 record and missed the postseason for the ninth consecutive season.{{cite web|url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/buffalo-sabres-season-comes-to-an-end-playoff-drought-continues|title=Buffalo Sabres season comes to an end, playoff drought continues|last=Bove|first=Matt|publisher=Scripps Local Media|date=May 26, 2020|website=WKBW.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}

On June 16, 2020, despite Kim Pegula's vote of confidence three weeks prior, Botterill was fired and replaced by Kevyn Adams.{{cite news|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/2020/06/16/buffalo-sabres-fire-gm-jason-botterill/3197993001/|title=Pegulas fire Sabres GM Jason Botterill, plus Amerks GM Randy Sexton and coach Chris Taylor|last=Maiorana|first=Sal|newspaper=Democrat & Chronicle|date=June 16, 2020|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}

On March 17, 2021, in the midst on a twelve-game losing streak, head coach Ralph Krueger was fired.{{cite web|title=Buffalo Sabres fire coach Ralph Krueger after 12-game skid|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31080330/buffalo-sabres-fire-coach-ralph-krueger-12-game-skid|website=ESPN.com |access-date=March 22, 2021 |date=March 17, 2021}} Don Granato was named interim head coach. After continuing to lose games, on March 29, 2021, the Sabres tied the Pittsburgh Penguins' all-time NHL losing streak of 18 games from the 2003–04 season after blowing a 3–0 lead in the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers and subsequently losing in overtime; it is the longest losing streak since the shootout was introduced.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/01/sports/hockey/sabres-losing-streak-ends.html|title=The Sabres' Losing Streak Ends at 18|last=Knoll|first=Andrew|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 1, 2021|accessdate=April 2, 2025}} Granato was named the full-time head coach at the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-sabres-don-granato-hockey-nhl-sports-d9b009d6afcd7b9357af7abc9ea448d6|title=Sabres hire Don Granato as coach to turn around franchise|last=Wawrow|first=John|publisher=The Associated Press|date=June 29, 2021|website=APNews.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}

With their last-place finish in the 2020–21 season, they won the draft lottery and selected Owen Power with the first overall pick in the 2021 draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/welcome-to-buffalo-owen-power-sabres-take-um-defenseman-1st-overall-in-2021-nhl-draft|title=Welcome to Buffalo, Owen Power! Sabres take UM defenseman 1st overall in 2021 NHL Draft|publisher=Scripps Media, Inc|date=July 23, 2021|website=WKBW.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}} Longtime play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret also announced the upcoming season would be his final one.{{cite web|url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/rick-jeanneret-to-retire-at-the-end-of-the-2021-2022-season|title=Rick Jeanneret to retire at the end of the 2021-2022 season|last=Meehan|first=Tim|publisher=Scripps Local Media|date=August 20, 2021|website=WKBW.com|accessdate=April 4, 2025}} Prior to the 2021–22 season, the Sabres traded away Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31875793/buffalo-sabres-trade-forward-sam-reinhart-florida-panthers-2022-1st-round-pick-prospect|title=Buffalo Sabres trade forward Sam Reinhart to Florida Panthers for 2022 first-round pick, prospect|last=Wyshnyski|first=Greg|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=July 24, 2021|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31870061/philadelphia-flyers-get-rasmus-ristolainen-buffalo-sabres-1st-round-pick-more|title=Philadelphia Flyers get Rasmus Ristolainen from Buffalo Sabres for first-round pick, more|last=Wyshnyski|first=Greg|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=July 23, 2021|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}} During the season, the team traded away Jack Eichel for Peyton Krebs, Alex Tuch and two draft picks.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/32549854/buffalo-sabres-trade-jack-eichel-vegas-golden-knights|title=Buffalo Sabres trade Jack Eichel to Vegas Golden Knights|last=Kaplan|first=Emily|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=November 4, 2021|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}} Leading to the trade, Eichel had suffered a herniated disc and sought an independent specialist who recommended an artificial total disc. Eichel's lawyers also told the Sabres organization that the surgery would be required or he wouldn't be able to play the following season. However, the Sabres organization placed him on injured reserve and stripped him of the captaincy prior to the season. The Vegas Golden Knights funded his surgery following the trade, winning the Stanley Cup with Eichel in {{scfy|2023}}.{{cite magazine|url=https://ryortho.com/2024/01/the-incredible-story-of-jack-eichel-and-his-artificial-disc/|title=The Incredible Story of Jack Eichel and His Artificial Disc|last=Young|first=Robin|magazine=Orthopedics This Week|date=January 12, 2024|accessdate=April 2, 2025}} The team ended up missing for the 11th consecutive season, setting the record for consecutive missed playoff seasons.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33690130/buffalo-sabres-eliminated-nhl-playoff-contention-record-11th-straight-season|title=Buffalo Sabres eliminated from NHL playoff contention for record 11th straight season|last=Wyshnyski|first=Greg|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=April 7, 2022|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}

The Sabres improved in the 2022–23 season, going 42–33–7 and finishing above .500 for the first time since 2011 and only finishing one point below the playoff line.{{cite news|last=Fairburn |first=Matthew |title=Sabres miss playoffs for 12th straight season|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4403248/2023/04/11/buffalo-sabres-playoffs-streak/ |access-date=April 2, 2025|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 11, 2023}} With the Sacramento Kings clinching a spot in the 2023 NBA playoffs, it left both the New York Jets and Sabres as the teams among the major professional leagues with the longest active postseason drought with twelve seasons.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/kings-clinch-which-team-now-has-the-longest-postseason-drought/290845/|title=Kings clinch! Which team now has the longest postseason drought?|last=Gavin|first=Matt|publisher=NBCUniversal Media, LLC|date=March 30, 2023|website=NBCSportsBoston.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}

On August 17, 2023, Rick Jeanneret passed away.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sabres-broadcasting-legend-rick-jeanneret-dies-at-81/|title=Rick Jeanneret, legendary play-by-play announcer for the Sabres, dies at 81|via=The Associated Press|date=August 18, 2023|website=Sportsnet.ca|accessdate=April 4, 2025}} The Sabres honored his legacy by renaming Perry Street, the street adjacent to KeyBank Center, to "RJ Way" on October 13.{{cite web|url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/buffalo-sabres-unveil-rj-way-sign-outside-of-keybank-center-to-honor-rick-jeanneret|title=Buffalo Sabres unveil 'RJ Way' sign outside of KeyBank Center to honor Rick Jeanneret|last=Reyes|first=Anthony|publisher=Scripps Local Media|date=October 13, 2023|website=WKBW.com|accessdate=April 4, 2025}} The team regressed slightly in the 2023–24 season. They ended up trading captain Kyle Okposo to the Florida Panthers—he would end up winning the Stanley Cup with Florida.{{cite web|url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/sports/2024/03/08/sabres-trade-okposo-for-calle-sjalin--conditional-7th-round-pick|title=Sabres trade captain Kyle Okposo to Panthers, Erik Johnson to Flyers|publisher=Charter Communications|date=March 8, 2024|website=SpectrumLocalNews.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/41328239/kyle-okposo-retires-17-seasons-stanley-cup-win-panthers|title=Kyle Okposo retires after 17 seasons, Stanley Cup win with Panthers|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=September 19, 2024|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}} On April 9, they were eliminated from postseason potential with a loss to the Dallas Stars.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5404392/2024/04/10/sabres-playoffs-drought-streak/|title=Sabres miss playoffs for 13th straight season, tie longest active drought in pro sports|last=Fairburn|first=Matthew|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 10, 2024|accessdate=April 2, 2025}} On April 16, 2024, one day after playing the final game of the season, head coach Granato was fired, marking his ousting as the seventh coach the Sabres have employed since the playoff drought began.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5430238/2024/04/19/don-granato-sabres-coach-fired/|title=Don Granato exclusive: On getting fired by Sabres, his gratitude and what's next|last=Fairburn|first=Matthew|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 19, 2024|accessdate=April 3, 2025}} One week later, on April 22, former coach Lindy Ruff was named as the new head coach, returning for a second tenure.

In the 2024–25 season, after beginning the season 11–9–1, the Sabres went on a 13-game losing streak.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sabres-snap-13-game-losing-streak-with-win-over-islanders/|title=Sabres snap 13-game losing streak with win over Islanders|via=The Associated Press|publisher=Rogers Media|date=December 23, 2024|website=Sportsnet.ca|accessdate=April 8, 2025}} During the streak, owner Terry Pegula visited the team while they were in Montreal to express his support in the team and leadership.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6000113/2024/12/17/sabres-terry-pegula-meeting/|title=What led to Sabres owner Terry Pegula's rare meeting with the team in Montreal|last=Fairburn|first=Matthew|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 17, 2024|accessdate=April 8, 2025}} On April 8, 2025, the team was eliminated from postseason potential for the 14th time. Shortly after the end of that season, the government of Erie County announced plans to end its 30-year operational lease of KeyBank Center when it expires in October 2026, ostensibly placing the arena into the responsibility of the city of Buffalo, who indicated an inability to pay for the maintenance of said arena.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-14 |title=City of Buffalo can't afford 'monumental task' of overseeing KeyBank Center if Erie County walks away from lease, lawmaker says |url=https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/local/buffalo-cant-afford-monumental-task-overseeing-keybank-center-if-erie-county-walks-away-lease-lawmaker-says/71-43b2e301-329b-4a10-bdb8-66befe7443e7 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=wgrz.com}}{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Patrick |date=April 15, 2025 |title=Local leaders to discuss future of KeyBank Center with lease set to expire next year |url=https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/buffalo/local-leaders-to-discuss-future-of-keybank-center-with-lease-set-to-expire-next-year/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=WIVB-TV}} In a statement to the press, Sabres chief operating officer Pete Guelli insisted that the team did not intend to relocate.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-16 |title=Sabres not 'ruling out' needing money from NYS for KeyBank Center, but emphasize they're committed to Buffalo |url=https://www.wgrz.com/article/sports/nhl/sabres/buffalo-sabres-keybank-center-lease-update/71-ce3d79aa-a63c-4dd2-97c4-3e2560d59593 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=wgrz.com}}

The Sabres have had, for the most part, used a primary logo featuring a bison atop two crossed sabres in a blue circle with gold trim. This logo was first used from 1970 to 1996 and was restored in 2020 after the Sabres 50th anniversary season was complete.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/sabres/2020/08/11/buffalo-sabres-new-jerseys-feature-old-royal-blue/3345961001/|title=Buffalo Sabres switch back to the old royal blue jerseys|last=Brehm|first=Mike|newspaper=USA Today|date=August 11, 2020|accessdate=March 19, 2025}}

Throughout their 26-year tenure at the Buffalo Auditorium, the Sabres have worn white uniforms with a blue and gold shoulder yoke and alternating gold, white and blue stripes. On the road they wore blue uniforms with gold stripes. In 1978 the primary logo was added on the shoulders.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/history-of-the-uniform/c-437224|title=History of the Uniform|publisher=Buffalo Sabres|date=September 16, 2006|access-date=January 23, 2020}}

Upon moving to what is now KeyBank Center (formerly Marine Midland and HSBC Arena, later First Niagara Center) in 1996, the Sabres changed their logo and colors. Red, black and silver replaced blue and gold while the primary "bison head" logo was unveiled as the primary logo. Black road (later home) and white home (later road) uniforms were also released featuring a bull's head silhouette design in front and the "Sabre B" alternate logo on the shoulders.

The first third jersey of the Buffalo Sabres was created in 2000. The primary color was Sabre red, with black and silver stripes on the sleeves. It also featured the word "Buffalo" written on a black stripe outlined by silver near the waist. The logo was a black circle with two sabres crossing each other (a nod to the original logo).

On October 7, 2001, the Sabres wore a modified version of their white jerseys in a road game against the New York Rangers. The uniform replaced the "bison head" with the "NEW YORK" diagonal wordmark as a tribute to the state of New York in the wake of the September 11 attacks.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-classics-first-game-in-manhattan-after-911-beyond-blue-and-gold/c-316283168|title=Sabres Classics: First game in Manhattan after 9/11|publisher=Buffalo Sabres|date=March 26, 2020|access-date=January 3, 2022}}

On September 16, 2006, the Sabres unveiled new home and away jerseys featuring midnight blue, maize (gold), silver and white colors. Front chest numbers were also added. The new logo, a stylized bison, was widely reviled, drawing unfavorable comparisons to a banana slug (hence the nickname "Buffaslug").{{Cite web |last=Lukas |first=Paul |date=October 4, 2010 |title=Buffalo Sabres uniforms no longer bear the dreaded banana slug, so Uni Watch praises the new look in its 2010–11 NHL preview |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=lukas/101004_nhl_uniform_changes |access-date=January 16, 2014 |website=ESPN.com}} Despite the criticism, five of the top ten player jerseys sold in the first two months of the 2006–07 season were Sabres "slug" designs.{{cite web|last=Wyshynski |first=Greg |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/father-buffaslug-meet-man-designed-buffalo-sabres-most-132535273.html |title=Father of the Buffaslug: Meet the man who designed Buffalo Sabres' most infamous logo | Puck Daddy – Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Yahoo! |date=March 13, 2012 |access-date=January 16, 2014}}{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/06/sports/hockey/06sweaters.html| work=The New York Times | first1=Jeff Z. | last1=Klein | first2=Stu | last2=Hackel | title=Buffaslug Among Cartoonish Logos to Go Extinct | date=October 5, 2010}} Nevertheless, the Sabres brought back the classic blue jerseys as a third jersey, but continued to pair the look with the navy helmet and pants. When the Reebok Edge template was unveiled in 2007, the Sabres kept their "Buffaslug" uniforms, but the following season, they released a new third jersey featuring the classic look depicted in the navy, gold, silver and white colors.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-release-third-jersey-schedule/c-438250|title=Sabres release third jersey schedule|publisher=National Hockey League|date=November 20, 2008|access-date=January 23, 2020}} The Sabres also wore the original white uniforms during the 2008 Winter Classic.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2016/12/19/nhl-winter-classic-jersey-history|title=History of the NHL's Winter Classic Jerseys|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=December 18, 2016|access-date=January 23, 2020}}

The third jersey eventually became the primary home jersey on September 18, 2010, when the Sabres released a modern version of the classic 1970–1996 logo. A corresponding road white jersey was also released, along with a third jersey featuring an alternate throwback arrangement that pays homage to the AHL's Buffalo Bisons, complete with the team's 40th Anniversary insignia (essentially the original royal blue version of the current logo with the year "1970" inside).{{cite web|url=http://www.icethetics.info/blog/2010/9/7/sabres-jerseys-now-leaked.html|title=Sabres jerseys now leaked|work=icethetics.info|date=September 7, 2010|access-date=September 9, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=537882|title=Sabres Introduce New 40th Anniversary And Road Jerseys|publisher=National Hockey League|date=September 18, 2010|access-date=September 20, 2010}}

In 2013, the Sabres released a new third jersey, featuring a gold front and navy back design. The uniform only lasted two seasons, after which it was retired.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-will-debut-new-third-jersey-on-sunday/c-692562|title=Sabres will debut new third jersey on Sunday|publisher=National Hockey League|date=November 22, 2013|access-date=January 23, 2020}}

The Sabres kept their uniforms largely intact when Adidas took over as its supplier, save for the removal of silver sections in the armpits. They were also the only remaining NHL team to sport uniform numbers in front; teams such as the Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks briefly added numbers in front of their uniforms before removing them altogether.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/nhl-adidas-unveil-new-uniforms/c-290017052|title=NHL and adidas unveil new uniforms for 2017–18 season|publisher=National Hockey League|date=June 21, 2017|access-date=January 23, 2020}}

During the 2018 Winter Classic, the Sabres broke out white uniforms with the classic blue and gold shade, albeit with a different striping scheme from the original uniforms.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/buffalo-sabres-unveil-2018-winter-classic-uniform/c-293238830|title=Sabres unveil 2018 Winter Classic uniform|publisher=National Hockey League|date=November 22, 2017|access-date=January 23, 2020}}

The 2019–20 season marked the final season of the navy and gold look, as the Sabres announced the return to royal blue uniforms for the following season. Also, a 50th-anniversary white third jersey was used, featuring metallic gold elements on the logo and stripes.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/buffalo-sabres-commemorate-50th-anniversary-in-nhl-gold-jersey/c-308547514|title=Sabres unveil Golden Jersey to commemorate 50th anniversary|publisher=National Hockey League|date=August 16, 2019|access-date=January 23, 2020}}

On August 11, 2020, the Sabres unveiled the uniforms for the upcoming season. The style is similar to the ones worn in the early days of the franchise. Jersey numbers are no longer displayed on the front. The Sabres also released a "Reverse Retro" alternate uniform, bringing back the "crossed swords" alternate from 2000 to 2006 but recolored to the current royal, gold and white scheme.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-reverse-retro-alternate-jersey-on-sale/c-319637850|title=Sabres 'Reverse Retro' jerseys are on sale now|publisher=National Hockey League|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=December 2, 2020}}

For the 2022 Heritage Classic, the Sabres again wore a variation of their classic uniforms, but without the blue shoulder yoke and with a cream base.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-heritage-classic-jerseys-maple-leafs-sabres/c-330900596|title=Sabres, Maple Leafs reveal jerseys for 2022 NHL Heritage Classic|publisher=National Hockey League|date=February 17, 2022|access-date=February 18, 2022}}

On August 31, 2022, the Sabres announced that their black uniform used from 1995 to 2006 would become their new third jersey.{{Cite web |title=Sabres bringing back retro black and red logo as alternate jersey - Sportsnet.ca |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/sabres-bringing-back-retro-black-and-red-logo-as-alternate-jersey/sn-amp/ |access-date=August 31, 2022 |website=www.sportsnet.ca}} This same uniform also became the basis of their second "Reverse Retro" uniform, but recolored to the white, blue and gold scheme and featured white pants.{{cite news|title=NHL Reverse Retro jerseys for all 32 teams unveiled by adidas|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2022-adidas-nhl-reverse-retro-jerseys-reveal/c-336511528|website=NHL.com|date=October 20, 2022|access-date=October 20, 2022}}

{{Main|List of Buffalo Sabres broadcasters}}

;Current

{{div col}}

• Dan Dunleavy, play-by-play and intermission interviewer{{cite web|url=https://www.wivb.com/sports/a-day-in-the-life-of-sabres-play-by-play-broadcaster-dan-dunleavy/|title=A day in the life of Sabres play-by-play broadcaster Dan Dunleavy|last=Holland|first=Sara|publisher=Nexstar Media Inc.|date=July 16, 2024|website=WIVB.com|accessdate=April 3, 2025}}
• Rob Ray, color commentator{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/43974278/buffalo-sabres-rob-ray-hit-puck-midgame|title=Sabres announcer Rob Ray shakes off puck to head mid-commentary|last=Shilton|first=Kristen|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=February 22, 2025|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 3, 2025}}
• Brian Duff, studio host{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/team/staff|title=Sabres Staff|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L. P.|website=NHL.com|accessdate=April 3, 2025}}
• Martin Biron, studio analyst
• Danny Gare, fill-in studio analyst

{{div col end}}

;Past

{{div col}}

• Brian Blessing, studio host (1995–2003){{cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/betting/brian-blessing-remembered-for-passion-for-life-2512642/|title=Brian Blessing remembered for passion for life|last=Schoen|first=Brian|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=January 13, 2022|accessdate=April 4, 2025}}
• Ted Darling, TV play-by-play (1970–1991) and studio host (1992–1993){{cite news|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/ted-darling-voice-of-the-buffalo-sabres-for-22-years-dies-at-61/article_86f1a7cf-e121-576d-af77-e431fd57bdc9.html|title=TED DARLING, VOICE OF THE BUFFALO SABRES FOR 22 YEARS, DIES AT 61|last=Anderson|first=Dale|newspaper=The Buffalo News|date=December 20, 1996|accessdate=April 4, 2025}}
• Dave Hodge, radio play-by-play (1970–1971){{cite web|url=https://ontariosportshalloffame.com/inductees/sports-specialties/journalism/dave-hodge-2012-brian-williams-media-award/|title=Dave Hodge - Ontario Sport Hall of Fame|publisher=Ontario Sports Hall of Fame|date=March 26, 2012|website=OntarioSportsHallofFame.com|accessdate=April 4, 2025}}
• Rick Jeanneret, TV and radio play-by-play (1971–2022)
• Jim Lorentz, color commentator (1981–2007){{cite web|url=https://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/jim-lorentz/|title=Jim Lorentz|publisher=Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame|website=BuffaloSportsHallofFame.com|accessdate=April 4, 2025}}
• Harry Neale, color commentator (2007–2012) and studio analyst (2012–2013)
• Mike Robitaille, color commentator (1985–1992), TV studio analyst (1989–2014){{cite magazine|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2014/04/14/Media/People-and-Personalities/|title=People & Personalities: Sabres Honor Retiring MSG Analyst Mike Robitaille|magazine=Sprts Business Journal|date=April 13, 2014|accessdate=April 4, 2025}}
• Kevin Sylvester, fill-in play by play, studio host (2005–2016){{cite news|url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/lifestyle/health-fitness/2012/08/19/buffalo-sabres-kevin-sylvester-one/44847969007/|title=Buffalo Sabres Kevin Sylvester : One Of NHL's Busiest Broadcasters, And Now Author|newspaper=Observer-Dispatch|date=August 19, 2012|accessdate=April 4, 2025}}
• Pete Weber, radio play-by-play (1994–1996){{cite web|url=https://www.wgil.com/episode/from-the-friars-to-the-predators-talking-sports-broadcasting-with-galesburg-native-pete-weber/|title=From the Friars to the Predators: Talking sports broadcasting with Galesburg native Pete Weber|publisher=InterTech Media LLC|date=September 16, 2023|website=WGIL.com|accessdate=April 4, 2025}}

{{div col end}}

The Canadian and U.S. national anthems are sung before every Sabres home game, regardless if the visiting team is Canadian or American, because Buffalo is adjacent to the Canadian border and many spectators come from Canada.{{cite news |last1=Pepper |first1=Tom |title=Buffalo Sabres' History with Canada |url=https://thehockeywriters.com/buffalo-sabres-o-canada-history-relationship/ |access-date=February 5, 2022 |work=The Hockey Writers |date=January 30, 2022}} Doug Allen sang the Canadian and US national anthems at most home games (except in cases where there is a conflict with his charitable work for the Wesleyan Church){{cite news|last1=O'Shei|first1=Tim|title=Sabres 'Anthem Guy' leads purposeful life beyond center ice|url=http://buffalonews.com/2014/01/19/sabres-anthem-guy-leads-purposeful-life-beyond-center-ice/|access-date=March 19, 2018|newspaper=The Buffalo News|date=January 19, 2014}} until resigning in 2021 because of his refusal to take a COVID-19 vaccine.{{cite news|url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/doug-allen-iconic-anthem-singer-forgoing-vaccine-and-stepping-away-from-sabres/article_a1dbf9d6-1e4b-11ec-884d-d3ea54876735.html|title=Doug Allen, iconic anthem singer, forgoing vaccine and stepping away from Sabres|work=The Buffalo News|date=September 25, 2021|last=O'Shei|first=Tim|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009063235/https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/doug-allen-iconic-anthem-singer-forgoing-vaccine-and-stepping-away-from-sabres/article_a1dbf9d6-1e4b-11ec-884d-d3ea54876735.html|archive-date=October 9, 2021|url-status=live}} Curtis Cook is the arena's in-game organist.{{cite web|last1=Lipka|first1=Holly|title=Pipe dream comes true for WNY's youngest theater organist|url=http://www.amherstbee.com/news/2017-04-12/Lifestyles/Pipe_dream_comes_true_for_WNYs_youngest_theater_or.html|website=amherstbee.com|access-date=March 19, 2018|date=April 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320171105/http://www.amherstbee.com/news/2017-04-12/Lifestyles/Pipe_dream_comes_true_for_WNYs_youngest_theater_or.html|archive-date=March 20, 2018|url-status=dead}} During Tom Golisano's ownership, the team occasionally used the services of singer Ronan Tynan who sang "God Bless America" while Allen performed the Canadian anthem (in such cases, the U.S. anthem was not performed).{{cite news|url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/entertainment/events/2020/02/26/st-patricks-day-tune-up-with-ronan-tynan/1632405007/|title=A St. Patrick's Day tune-up with Ronan Tynan|last=Duguay|first=Rob|newspaper=The Providence Journal|date=February 26, 2020|accessdate=March 14, 2025}}

Rich Gaenzler, morning host at WGRF, took over as in-game host beginning in 2018{{cite web|url=https://buffalonews.com/2018/08/06/rich-gaenzler-97s-rocks-bull-adds-sabres-in-arena-host-to-duties/|title=Rich Gaenzler, 97's Rock's 'Bull,' adds Sabres in-arena host to duties|date=August 6, 2018}}{{cite web|title=Buffalo Sabres staff|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/team/staff|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=March 19, 2018}} before he was fired in 2021 over an unrelated dispute pertaining to his WGRF show, which was canceled at the same time. WBFO personality Jay Moran is the current public address announcer; he succeeded Milt Ellis in the position.

In November 2021, the Sabres added an official team dog, named Rick, a Newfoundland puppy trained as a service animal.{{cite web | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/rick-scores-spot-as-buffalo-sabres-team-dog/ar-AAQvxzo | title='Rick' scores spot as Buffalo Sabres team dog | website=MSN}} Nick was graduated to daily service and succeeded by Nikki, a golden retriever puppy.{{Cite web |date=October 3, 2022 |title=Buffalo Sabres introduce 8-month-old golden retriever Nikki as team dog for 2022-23 season |url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/buffalo-sabres-introduce-8-month-old-golden-retriever-nikki-as-team-dog-for-2022-23-season |access-date=October 3, 2022 |website=WKBW 7 News Buffalo}}

The Sabres are presently affiliated with two minor league teams, the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League, and the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL.{{cite web|url=https://www.wltx.com/article/sports/nhl/buffalo-reunited-with-rochester-as-ahl-affiliate/101-378083859|title=Buffalo reunited with Rochester as AHL affiliate|publisher=WLTX-TV|date=June 24, 2011|website=WLTX.com|accessdate=March 14, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-rochester-americans-jacksonville-icemen-new-echl-affili-345332778|title=Sabres announce Jacksonville Icemen as new ECHL affiliate|last=Ryndak|first=Chris|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L. P.|date=July 17, 2023|website=NHL.com|accessdate=March 14, 2025}} The Americans play at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York.{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofrochester.gov/locations/blue-cross-arena-0|title=Blue Cross Arena|website=CityofRochester.gov|accessdate=March 14, 2025}} Founded in 1956, the Americans were previously the Sabres AHL affiliate from the 1979–80 season to the 2007–08 season. During the original Sabres affiliation, the Americans won three Calder Cup championships and finished as runners-up another six times. They finished out of the playoffs only five times in 28 years. The Sabres became re-affiliated with the Americans starting with the 2011–12 season when after buying the Sabres, Pegula purchased the Americans from former owner Curt Styres.{{cite web|title=AHL BOG approves sale of Amerks to Buffalo|url=http://theahl.com/ahl-bog-approves-sale-of-amerks-to-buffalo-p171396|work=theahl.com|access-date=June 25, 2011|archive-date=September 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928035110/http://theahl.com/ahl-bog-approves-sale-of-amerks-to-buffalo-p171396|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Buffalo reunited with Rochester as AHL affiliate|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369873|work=The Sports Network|access-date=June 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020180619/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369873|archive-date=October 20, 2012|url-status=dead}}

The Jacksonville Icemen are based in Jacksonville, Florida and have been the Sabres ECHL affiliate since the 2023–24 season. Unlike the Americans, the Icemen are not owned by Pegula but are instead owned by SZH Hockey LLC.{{cite web|url=https://jacksonvilleicemen.com/news/2019/07/icemen-announce-new-local-ownership|title=Icemen Announce New Local Ownership|publisher=Jacksonville Icemen|date=July 16, 2019|website=JacksonvilleIcemen.com|accessdate=April 3, 2025}}

This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Sabres. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Buffalo Sabres seasons

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime Losses/SOL = Shootout Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

{{Buffalo Sabres roster}}

Reference:{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/team/captains|title=All-Time Sabres Captains|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L. P.|website=NHL.com|accessdate=April 4, 2025}}

{{div col}}

• Floyd Smith, 1970–1971
• Gerry Meehan, 1971–1974
• Jim Schoenfeld, 1974–1977
• Danny Gare, 1977–1981
• Gilbert Perreault, 1981–1986
• Lindy Ruff, 1986–1989
• Mike Foligno, 1989–1990
• Mike Ramsey, 1991–1992
• Pat LaFontaine, 1992–1997
• Alexander Mogilny, 1993–1994 {{small|(interim)}}
• Michael Peca, 1997–2000
• Stu Barnes, 2001–2003
• Rotating, 2003–2004
• Miroslav Satan, October 2003
• Chris Drury, November 2003
• James Patrick, December 2003
• Jean-Pierre Dumont, January 2004
• Daniel Briere, February 2004
• Chris Drury, March–April 2004
• Daniel Briere and Chris Drury, 2005–2007 {{small|(co-captains)}}
• Rotating, 2007–2008
• 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
• Craig Rivet, 2008–2011
• Jason Pominville, 2011–2013
• Steve Ott and Thomas Vanek, October 2013 {{small|(co-captains)}}
• Steve Ott, 2013–2014
• Brian Gionta, 2014–2017
• Jack Eichel, 2018–2021
• Kyle Okposo, 2022–2024
• Rasmus Dahlin, 2024–present

{{div col end}}

{{further|List of Buffalo Sabres general managers}}

Kevyn Adams, who previously played in the NHL and served as senior vice president of business administration for the Sabres, was named the team's general manager on June 16, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/kevyn-adams-named-general-manager-of-buffalo-sabres-jason-botterill/c-317180734|title=Kevyn Adams named General Manager of Buffalo Sabres|publisher=Buffalo Sabres|date=June 16, 2020}} Kim Pegula, as chief operating officer of Pegula Sports and Entertainment, serves as team president.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2018/05/03/Franchises/Bills/|title=Kim Pegula Faces Tough Task As New Bills/Sabres President|publisher=Leaders Group|date=May 3, 2018|website=SportsBusinessJournal.com|accessdate=April 4, 2025}}

{{further|List of Buffalo Sabres head coaches}}

The Sabres named Lindy Ruff head coach on April 22, 2024. He returned for a second tenure with the team, after previously coaching Buffalo from 1997 to 2013.{{cite web |last=LaBarber |first=Jourdon |url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-hire-lindy-ruff-as-head-coach |title=Sabres hire Ruff as head coach |website=NHL.com |date=April 22, 2024 |access-date=April 22, 2024}}

Of the 20 head coaches the Sabres have used in their history, seven of them had previously played for the Sabres during their playing career: Floyd Smith, Bill Inglis, Jim Schoenfeld, Craig Ramsay, Rick Dudley, Ruff, and Phil Housley. Two others, Dan Bylsma and Ted Nolan, had played in the Sabres' farm system.

{{See also|List of Buffalo Sabres draft picks}}

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• 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)
• 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), and Dave Andreychuk (16th overall)
• 1983: Tom Barrasso (5th overall), Normand Lacombe (10th overall), and 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)
• 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: Artyom 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)
• 2008: Tyler Myers (12th overall), Tyler Ennis (26th overall)
• 2009: Zack Kassian (13th overall)
• 2010: Mark Pysyk (23rd overall)
• 2011: Joel Armia (16th overall)
• 2012: Mikhail Grigorenko (12th overall), Zemgus Girgensons (14th overall)
• 2013: Rasmus Ristolainen (8th overall), Nikita Zadorov (16th overall)
• 2014: Sam Reinhart (2nd overall)
• 2015: Jack Eichel (2nd overall)
• 2016: Alexander Nylander (8th overall)
• 2017: Casey Mittelstadt (8th overall)
• 2018: Rasmus Dahlin (1st overall)
• 2019: Dylan Cozens (7th overall), Ryan Johnson (31st overall)
• 2020: Jack Quinn (8th overall)
• 2021: Owen Power (1st overall), Isak Rosen (14th overall)
• 2022: Matthew Savoie (9th overall), Noah Ostlund (16th overall), and Jiri Kulich (28th overall)
• 2023: Zach Benson (13th overall)
• 2024: Konsta Helenius (14th overall)

{{div col end}}

{{See also|List of Buffalo Sabres award winners|List of Buffalo Sabres records}}

The Buffalo Sabres has an affiliation with a number of inductees to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Sabres inductees include 13 former players and four builders of the sport.{{cite book|title=Sabres History Hall of Fame|editor=Gilbert, Michael|editor2=Ott, Ian|editor3=Dierkens, Chris|publisher=Buffalo Sabres|year=2015|page=294}} The four individuals recognized as builders by the Hall of Fame includes former general managers, head coaches, and owners. In addition to players and builders, three broadcasters for the Buffalo Sabres were also awarded the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame, Ted Darling in 1994, Rick Jeanneret in 2012, and Harry Neale in 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.hhof.com/html/leg_broadcasters.shtml|title=Foster Hewitt Memorial Award Winners|publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum|year=2018|access-date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142146/https://www.hhof.com/html/leg_broadcasters.shtml|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2013/06/sabres-neale-follows-jeanneret-into-hockey-hall-of-fame-as-foster-hewitt-winner.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615204247/http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2013/06/sabres-neale-follows-jeanneret-into-hockey-hall-of-fame-as-foster-hewitt-winner.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 15, 2013|title=Sabres' Neale follows Jeanneret into Hockey Hall of Fame as Foster Hewitt winner|last=Vogl|first=John|date=June 11, 2013|work=The Buffalo News|access-date=June 11, 2013}}

Four sports writers from publications based in Buffalo, and St. Catharines, Ontario (which is within Buffalo's media territory), were also awarded the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame. Recipients of the award include Charlie Barton (Buffalo Courier-Express) in 1985, Dick Johnston (Buffalo News) in 1986, Jack Gatecliff (St. Catharines Standard) in 1995, and Jim Kelley (Buffalo News) in 2004.{{cite web|url=https://www.hhof.com/html/leg_writers.shtml|title=Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award Winners|publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum|year=2018|access-date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=February 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208004534/http://www.hhof.com/html/leg_writers.shtml|url-status=dead}}

Players

{{Columns-list|colwidth=25em|

• Dave Andreychuk
• Tom Barrasso
• Dick Duff
• Grant Fuhr
• Clark Gillies
• Doug Gilmour
• Dominik Hasek
• Dale Hawerchuk
• Tim Horton
• Phil Housley
• Pat LaFontaine
• Gilbert Perreault
• Pierre Turgeon

}}

Builders

• Scotty Bowman
• Punch Imlach
• Seymour H. Knox III
• Roger Neilson

;Notes

{{notelist}}

Reference:{{cite web|url=https://www.sabresalumni.com/page.cshtml/6|title=Sabres Hall of Fame|publisher=Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association|website=SabresAlumni.com|accessdate=April 4, 2025}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-1-of-3}}

;1980

• Frank Christie
• Roger Crozier
• George "Punch" Imlach

;1982

• Tim Horton
• Fred Hunt

;1986

• David Forman
• Don Luce
• Craig Ramsay

;1989

• Rick Martin
• Gilbert Perreault
• Rene Robert

;1994

• Danny Gare

;1995

• Jim Schoenfeld
• Robert O. Swados

{{col-2-of-3}}

;1996

• Ted Darling
• Seymour H. Knox III
• Northrup R. Knox

;1998

• Jack Gatecliff
• Larry Playfair

;2000

• Don Edwards
• Bill Hajt
• Wayne Redshaw
• Robert "Rip" Simonick

;2001

• Jerry Korab
• Mike Racicot
• Mike Ramsey

;2005

• Mike Foligno
• Dick Johnston
• Pat LaFontaine
• Rudy Migay
• Robert E. Rich, Jr.
• George Strawbridge

{{col-3-of-3}}

;2007

• Phil Housley

;2009

• Dave Andreychuk
• Milt Ellis

;2010

• Joe Crozier
• Jim Lorentz

;2011

• Alexander Mogilny
• Jim Kelley

;2012

• Dale Hawerchuk
• Rick Jeanneret

;2014

• Dominik Hasek

;2023

• Ryan Miller

;2025

• Rob Ray

{{col-end}}

These are the top-ten-point-scorers in franchise regular season history.{{cite web|title=Regular Season – All Skaters – Career for Franchise – Career Points – National Hockey League.com – Stats|url=https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?reportType=allTime&seasonFrom=19171918&seasonTo=20242024&gameType=2&playerPlayedFor=franchise.19&sort=points,goals,assists&page=0&pageSize=50|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=April 21, 2025}} Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.

• {{Color box|#CCFFCC|*|border=darkgray}} – current Sabres player

{{col-begin|width=auto}}

{{col-break}}

{{col-break|gap=1em}}

{{col-break|gap=1em}}

{{col-end}}

{{div col}}

• Most goals: Alexander Mogilny, 76 (1992–93)
• Most assists: Pat LaFontaine, 95 (1992–93)
• Most points: Pat LaFontaine, 148 (1992–93)
• Most penalty minutes: Rob Ray, 354 (1991–92)
• Most goals, defenseman: Phil Housley, 31 (1983–84)
• Most assists, defenseman: Phil Housley, 60 (1989–90)
• Most points, defenseman: Phil Housley, 81 (1989–90)
• Most goals, rookie: Rick Martin, 44 (1971–72)
• Most assists, rookie: Phil Housley, 47 (1982–83)
• Most points, rookie: Rick Martin, 74 (1971–72)
• Most wins: Ryan Miller, 41 (2009–10)
• Most shutouts: Dominik Hasek, 13 (1997–98)

{{div col end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-1-of-2}}

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
• Tyler Myers: 2009–10

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

{{col-2-of-2}}

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 and Bob Sauve: 1979–80
• Tom Barrasso: 1983–84
• Dominik Hasek: 1993–94, 1994–95, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2000–01
• Ryan Miller: 2009–10

William M. Jennings Trophy

• Tom Barrasso and Bob Sauve: 1984–85
• Dominik Hasek and Grant Fuhr: 1993–94
• Dominik Hasek: 2000–01

{{col-end}}

{{notelist-ua}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|https://www.nhl.com/sabres}}
• [http://www.sabresalumni.com/ Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association]

{{Buffalo Sabres}}

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