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2000–01 Buffalo Sabres season

{{short description|NHL hockey team season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox ice hockey team season

|League=NHL

|Season=2000–01

|year=2000

|Team=Buffalo Sabres

|Conference=Eastern

|ConferenceRank=5th

|Division=Northeast

|DivisionRank=2nd

|Record=46–30–5–1

|HomeRecord=26–12–3–0

|RoadRecord=20–18–2–1

|GoalsFor=218

|GoalsAgainst=184

|GeneralManager=Darcy Regier

|Coach=Lindy Ruff

|Captain= Vacant{{efn|Michael Peca, the previous captain, sat out the entire season due to a contract dispute.}}

|AltCaptain= Doug Gilmour
Rob Ray
Rotating

|Arena=HSBC Arena

|Attendance=17,839

|MinorLeague=Rochester Americans
South Carolina Stingrays
B.C. Icemen

|GoalsLeader=Miroslav Satan (29)

|AssistsLeader=Miroslav Satan (33)

|PointsLeader=Miroslav Satan (62)

|PIMLeader=Rob Ray (210)

|PlusMinusLeader=Curtis Brown (+15)

|WinsLeader=Dominik Hasek (37)

|GAALeader=Dominik Hasek (2.11)

|prev_season=1999–2000

}}

The 2000–01 Buffalo Sabres season was the 31st season for the team in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Sabres finished with a 46–30–5–1 record in the regular season, and won the Conference Quarterfinals (4–2) over the Philadelphia Flyers, but lost the Conference Semifinals (4–3) to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was also the final time they made the playoffs before the 2004–05 NHL lockout.

Off-season

{{Empty section|date=July 2010}}

Regular season

The Sabres allowed the fewest goals (184), had the most shutouts (13), allowed the fewest power-play goals (40) and had the best penalty-kill percentage (88.02%).{{Cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2001.html|title=2000-01 NHL Summary}}

=Final standings=

{{2000–01 NHL Northeast Division standings|team=BUF}}

{{2000–01 NHL Eastern Conference standings|team=BUF}}

Playoffs

{{See also|2001 Stanley Cup playoffs}}

=(4) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (5) Buffalo Sabres=

The Flyers were entering this year's playoffs still trying to forget the Eastern Conference finals the previous year. In 2000, they had a 3–1 series lead against the eventual Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils, but lost the next three. Head coach Craig Ramsay was fired in the middle of the season, with general manager Bobby Clarke explaining his decision was based on the fact his Flyers were not "tough enough". As Ramsay's replacement, Clarke hired former teammate Bill Barber. The Sabres season was not as complicated, as head coach Lindy Ruff led his Sabres to one of their best regular seasons in recent history. In the playoffs, the two teams had met three times in four years, with the most recent series ending in with a Flyers win. The Sabres would look for revenge in the city of brotherly love.

After Philadelphia was stopped by Dominik Hasek and the Sabres in the first two games, one of which was ended by a Jay McKee overtime goal, the Flyers came out in Game 3 determined to win a game before losing the first three, and they did by one goal, but they lost again to the Sabres in Game 4 in overtime after Curtis Brown beat goaltender Roman Cechmanek. The Flyers won in Game 5 by a two-goal margin, but were hammered by the Sabres in Game 6: they gave up a total of eight goals, five of which were surrendered by Cechmanek, who was replaced early by Brian Boucher, who himself conceded three goals. Hasek recorded another shutout in Game 6 as the Sabres progressed to the conference semifinals.

=(5) Buffalo Sabres vs. (6) Pittsburgh Penguins=

Entering the series, Buffalo held the best penalty killing (PK) squad which killed 88%, and Pittsburgh entered the series with the fifth best powerplay (PP) squad, which scored on 20% of its opportunities. However, the Buffalo PK and the Pittsburgh PP would underachieve during the series: Pittsburgh only scored 4 times on 27 opportunities (14%), so, consequently, Buffalo's PK percent dropped to 86. Buffalo also scored four power play goals, but on 33 chances (12%).

The Sabres and Penguins had evenly matched goaltending: Pittsburgh goaltenders saved 155 shots out of 172 (90.2%), and Buffalo's saved 166 shots out of 183 (90.8%). Both teams scored 17 goals during the series, and they also scored the same number of power play goals, four.

The Sabres just could not put the puck past Johan Hedberg in Game 1, with the Penguins needing only star center Mario Lemieux's first-period goal to finish off Buffalo and take an early series lead. Dominik Hasek gave up three goals, the other two of which came courtesy of centers Wayne Primeau and Jan Hrdina in the second half of the third period. Penguins winger Jaromir Jagr, who assisted on the Lemieux goal in the first period, injured his leg in the third period and would miss Game 2. Both teams were rather inept on the powerplay, wasting five conversion opportunities each.

In Game 2, the first period had no scoring, despite five different powerplays for the two teams. Then, about halfway through the second period, Penguins center Robert Lang scored a goal to give the Penguins a 1–0. Three minutes later, Sabres center Stu Barnes tied the game with the game's only powerplay goal. In the third period, Pittsburgh would score two more goals through defenceman Andrew Ference and an empty-netter by Alexei Kovalev.

For the second consecutive game, there were no goals scored in the first period of Game 3, despite a combined 17 shots on goal. The Penguins scored on the power play in the second period to take the lead, but Sabres center Curtis Brown would tie the game through an even-strength goal as the period would end at 1–1. Johan Hedberg had been solid in the net for the Penguins, but conceded 3 goals from just 11 shots in the third period. At about the halfway point in the third period, Sabres defenseman Jason Woolley scored the go-ahead goal, and three minutes later, Miroslav Satan would score another goal to give Buffalo a two-goal lead. Defenseman James Patrick finished off the game with an empty-net goal to send the Sabres to a 4–1 victory in Game 3.

Building off the road win in Game 3, Buffalo scored the first goal in Game 4 very early in the first period by center Jean-Pierre Dumont, but the Penguins would respond with a powerplay goal by center Martin Straka. Sabres center Curtis Brown scored a short-handed goal late in the first period to give Buffalo the edge heading into the locker rooms. The second period featured only one goal by Janne Laukkanen, set up by Jagr and Lemieux, and the game was tied up going into the third. Stu Barnes scored twice in the third period, and the Sabres went on to win the game by three, five goals to two. Both teams were effective on the powerplay, each scoring one goal on two chances. Coming off two straight home losses, Buffalo works hard on the road to swipe the two home games back, swinging the series back to Buffalo's advantage.

Penguins wingman Jaromir Jagr initiated the scoring in game five with a powerplay goal, the only goal in the first period. Pittsburgh would tack on another goal early on in the second period by winger Aleksey Morozov, but Sabres center Chris Gratton would respond with a powerplay goal, and the Penguins still had the lead until they gave up another short-handed goal to Curtis Brown. Curtis Brown's goal forced overtime, and Stu Barnes would score the game-winning goal to give Buffalo the series lead. The Sabres were down by two goals early but fought back and won the game by scoring three unanswered goals. Game five was the first overtime game in the string of three that would end the series.

Buffalo's right winger Maxim Afinogenov scored in the first half of the first period of game six to give the Sabres and early lead, a lead the team would need because Pittsburgh's Alexei Kovalev tied the game up early in the second period. Donald Audette would break up the tied game with an even-strength goal late in the second period. Pittsburgh would persevere and score the tying goal with less than a minute to go in the third period courtesy of Mario Lemieux, so this match headed to overtime. Martin Straka was the hero of the Penguins on that night, as he scored the game-winning goal about halfway through the overtime period. Both teams didn't score on any of the combined seven chances they saw, and the fabled game seven was due.

In game seven, the first period was an uneventful one, featuring no goals and few penalties, but the second period was a different story. Buffalo struck first as Jean-Pierre Dumont scored very early in the period, but that one-goal lead wouldn't last because Andrew Ference scored a powerplay goal to even things up at one goal apiece. Just about 30 seconds into the third period, Buffalo struck again as winger Steve Heinze scored a powerplay goal. Robert Lang would then score to tie the game up at two goals apiece. With a minute remaining in the third period and the Sabres applying pressure in the Penguins zone, Penguins defenceman Darius Kasparaitis grabbed the puck and threw it over the boards into the crowd. No penalty was called on the play and the game went to overtime.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/g4eSNbkKZqU Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210112044151/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4eSNbkKZqU Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4eSNbkKZqU| title = Darius Kasparaitis throws puck in the stands late in 3rd period of a tied Game 7 Playoff Game | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Later, Kasparaitis would win the game and the series for the Penguins as he scored off of passes from Jagr and Lang. Pittsburgh went on to face the New Jersey Devils in the conference finals.

Schedule and results

=Regular season=

{{Game log start|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 5px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 5px solid;|title=2000–01 regular season{{cite web |title=2000-01 Buffalo Sabres Schedule |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/2001_games.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=April 7, 2023}}}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid;|title=October: 5–3–1–1 (home: 4–0–1–0; road: 1–3–0–1)|Game |Date |Score |Opponent |Record |Recap}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|1||October 5, 2000||4–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Chicago Blackhawks (2000–01) ||1–0–0–0 || {{NHL recap|2000020003|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|2||October 7, 2000||5–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Los Angeles Kings (2000–01) ||2–0–0–0 || {{NHL recap|2000020014|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|3||October 13, 2000||2–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Edmonton Oilers (2000–01) ||2–1–0–0 || {{NHL recap|2000020051|L}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|4||October 14, 2000||0–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Vancouver Canucks (2000–01) ||2–2–0–0 || {{NHL recap|2000020061|L}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|5||October 17, 2000||3–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Montreal Canadiens (2000–01) ||2–3–0–0 || {{NHL recap|2000020071|L}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|6||October 20, 2000||2–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2000–01) ||2–3–1–0 || {{NHL recap|2000020092|T}}

|- {{Game-otl}}

|7||October 21, 2000||4–5 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Detroit Red Wings (2000–01) ||2–3–1–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020104|OTL}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|8||October 25, 2000||4–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Carolina Hurricanes (2000–01) ||3–3–1–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020120|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|9||October 27, 2000||2–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Toronto Maple Leafs (2000–01) ||4–3–1–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020134|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|10||October 28, 2000||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (2000–01) ||5–3–1–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020150|W}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid;|title=November: 7–4–1–0 (home: 5–1–1–0; road: 2–3–0–0)|Game |Date |Score |Opponent |Record |Recap}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|11||November 3, 2000||5–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Montreal Canadiens (2000–01) ||6–3–1–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020183|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|12||November 4, 2000||0–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (2000–01) ||6–4–1–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020194|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|13||November 9, 2000||3–0 || style="text-align:left;"| New York Islanders (2000–01) ||7–4–1–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020221|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|14||November 11, 2000||4–0 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New Jersey Devils (2000–01) ||8–4–1–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020234|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|15||November 13, 2000||3–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Calgary Flames (2000–01) ||9–4–1–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020249|W}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|16||November 15, 2000||2–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Dallas Stars (2000–01) ||9–4–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020258|T}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|17||November 17, 2000||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota Wild (2000–01) ||10–4–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020272|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|18||November 18, 2000||1–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ St. Louis Blues (2000–01) ||10–5–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020286|L}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|19||November 22, 2000||1–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia Flyers (2000–01) ||10–6–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020302|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|20||November 24, 2000||3–2 || style="text-align:left;"| New York Rangers (2000–01) ||11–6–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020318|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|21||November 25, 2000||5–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Montreal Canadiens (2000–01) ||12–6–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020328|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|22||November 28, 2000||1–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Ottawa Senators (2000–01) ||12–7–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020347|L}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid;|title=December: 8–5–1–0 (home: 4–3–0–0; road: 4–2–1–0)|Game |Date |Score |Opponent |Record |Recap}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|23||December 1, 2000||4–6 || style="text-align:left;"| Pittsburgh Penguins (2000–01) ||12–8–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020367|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|24||December 2, 2000||3–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2000–01) ||13–8–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020377|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|25||December 5, 2000||3–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Montreal Canadiens (2000–01) ||14–8–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020395|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|26||December 7, 2000||5–2 || style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey Devils (2000–01) ||15–8–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020399|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|27||December 8, 2000||2–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Rangers (2000–01) ||15–9–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020415|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|28||December 12, 2000||3–0 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Boston Bruins (2000–01) ||16–9–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020440|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|29||December 15, 2000||3–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (2000–01) ||16–10–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020461|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|30||December 16, 2000||3–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Florida Panthers (2000–01) ||17–10–2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020467|W}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|31||December 20, 2000||2–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Washington Capitals (2000–01) ||17–10–3–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020491|T}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|32||December 21, 2000||1–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Washington Capitals (2000–01) ||17–11–3–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020499|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|33||December 23, 2000||5–2 || style="text-align:left;"| San Jose Sharks (2000–01) ||18–11–3–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020513|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|34||December 26, 2000||3–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Pittsburgh Penguins (2000–01) ||18–12–3–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020524|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|35||December 29, 2000||2–0 || style="text-align:left;"| Ottawa Senators (2000–01) ||19–12–3–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020546|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|36||December 30, 2000||2–0 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Islanders (2000–01) ||20–12–3–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020556|W}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid;|title=January: 5–7–2–0 (home: 2–3–1–0; road: 3–4–1–0)|Game |Date |Score |Opponent |Record |Recap}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|37||January 1, 2001||3–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Boston Bruins (2000–01) ||20–13–3–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020571|L}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|38||January 3, 2001||1–1 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (2000–01) ||20–13–4–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020580|T}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|39||January 5, 2001||3–3 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto Maple Leafs (2000–01) ||20–13–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020595|T}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|40||January 6, 2001||2–0 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Nashville Predators (2000–01) ||21–13–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020610|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|41||January 9, 2001||1–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ San Jose Sharks (2000–01) ||21–14–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020627|L}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|42||January 11, 2001||2–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Los Angeles Kings (2000–01) ||21–15–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020638|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|43||January 12, 2001||4–0 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2000–01) ||22–15–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020649|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|44||January 16, 2001||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Tampa Bay Lightning (2000–01) ||23–15–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020670|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|45||January 19, 2001||1–0 || style="text-align:left;"| Florida Panthers (2000–01) ||24–15–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020692|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|46||January 20, 2001||0–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (2000–01) ||24–16–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020698|L}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|47||January 23, 2001||1–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Columbus Blue Jackets (2000–01) ||24–17–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020720|L}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|48||January 26, 2001||1–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Boston Bruins (2000–01) ||24–18–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020740|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|49||January 27, 2001||2–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Islanders (2000–01) ||25–18–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020750|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|50||January 31, 2001||2–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Florida Panthers (2000–01) ||25–19–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020778|L}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid;|title=February: 9–4–0–0 (home: 5–2–0–0; road: 4–2–0–0)|Game |Date |Score |Opponent |Record |Recap}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|51||February 1, 2001||2–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2000–01) ||25–20–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020786|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|52||February 6, 2001||6–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Rangers (2000–01) ||26–20–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020795|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|53||February 7, 2001||2–1 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| New York Islanders (2000–01) ||27–20–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020801|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|54||February 10, 2001||2–1 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Ottawa Senators (2000–01) ||28–20–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020825|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|55||February 11, 2001||3–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Montreal Canadiens (2000–01) ||28–21–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020833|L}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|56||February 13, 2001||4–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Atlanta Thrashers (2000–01) ||28–22–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020843|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|57||February 15, 2001||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta Thrashers (2000–01) ||29–22–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020857|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|58||February 17, 2001||5–1 || style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey Devils (2000–01) ||30–22–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020871|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|59||February 19, 2001||2–0 || style="text-align:left;"| Ottawa Senators (2000–01) ||31–22–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020886|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|60||February 22, 2001||1–0 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New Jersey Devils (2000–01) ||32–22–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020908|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|61||February 23, 2001||3–7 || style="text-align:left;"| Phoenix Coyotes (2000–01) ||32–23–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020911|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|62||February 25, 2001||5–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Tampa Bay Lightning (2000–01) ||33–23–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020929|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|63||February 27, 2001||4–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Ottawa Senators (2000–01) ||34–23–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020943|W}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid;|title=March: 9–5–0–0 (home: 5–1–0–0; road: 4–4–0–0)|Game |Date |Score |Opponent |Record |Recap}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|64||March 1, 2001||0–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (2000–01) ||34–24–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020959|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|65||March 3, 2001||3–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Colorado Avalanche (2000–01) ||35–24–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020977|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|66||March 4, 2001||1–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Dallas Stars (2000–01) ||35–25–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020982|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|67||March 6, 2001||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Boston Bruins (2000–01) ||36–25–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000020989|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|68||March 9, 2001||0–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Edmonton Oilers (2000–01) ||36–26–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021013|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|69||March 14, 2001||6–3 || style="text-align:left;"| New York Rangers (2000–01) ||37–26–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021044|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|70||March 16, 2001||4–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Vancouver Canucks (2000–01) ||38–26–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021060|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|71||March 17, 2001||3–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Washington Capitals (2000–01) ||39–26–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021067|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|72||March 20, 2001||3–0 || style="text-align:left;"| Toronto Maple Leafs (2000–01) ||40–26–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021088|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|73||March 21, 2001||0–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (2000–01) ||40–27–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021095|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|74||March 24, 2001||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Carolina Hurricanes (2000–01) ||41–27–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021114|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|75||March 26, 2001||4–0 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Atlanta Thrashers (2000–01) ||42–27–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021132|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|76||March 27, 2001||1–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2000–01) ||42–28–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021135|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|77||March 30, 2001||4–0 || style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta Thrashers (2000–01) ||43–28–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021157|W}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid;|title=April: 3–2–0–0 (home: 1–2–0–0; road: 2–0–0–0)|Game |Date |Score |Opponent |Record |Recap}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|78||April 1, 2001||4–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2000–01) ||44–28–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021174|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|79||April 2, 2001||5–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Florida Panthers (2000–01) ||45–28–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021181|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|80||April 4, 2001||2–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Boston Bruins (2000–01) ||45–29–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021192|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|81||April 6, 2001||2–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Washington Capitals (2000–01) ||46–29–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021208|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|82||April 8, 2001||1–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia Flyers (2000–01) ||46–30–5–1 || {{NHL recap|2000021225|L}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

|-

|

Legend:

{{legend2|#cfc|Win (2 points)|border=1px solid black|text=W}}

{{legend2|#fcc|Loss (0 points)|border=1px solid black|text=L}}

{{legend2|#ffc|Tie (1 point)|border=1px solid black|text=T}}

{{legend2|#fff|Overtime loss (1 point)|border=1px solid black|text=OTL}}

{{Game log end}}

=Playoffs=

{{Game log start|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 5px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 5px solid;|title=2001 Stanley Cup playoffs}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid;|title=Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (4) Philadelphia Flyers – Sabres win 4–2| Game| Date| Score| Opponent| Series| Recap}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 1 || April 11, 2001 || 2–1 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers || Sabres lead 1–0 || {{NHL recap|2000030141|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 2 || April 14, 2001 || 4–3 OT || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers || Sabres lead 2–0 || {{NHL recap|2000030142|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 3 || April 16, 2001 || 2–3 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers || Sabres lead 2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000030143|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 4 || April 17, 2001 || 4–3 OT || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers || Sabres lead 3–1 || {{NHL recap|2000030144|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 5 || April 19, 2001 || 1–3 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers || Sabres lead 3–2 || {{NHL recap|2000030145|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 6 || April 21, 2001 || 8–0 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers || Sabres win 4–2 || {{NHL recap|2000030146|W}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid;|title=Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (6) Pittsburgh Penguins – Penguins win 4–3| Game| Date| Score| Opponent| Series| Recap}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 1 || April 26, 2001 || 0–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins || Penguins lead 1–0 || {{NHL recap|2000030221|L}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 2 || April 28, 2001 || 1–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins || Penguins lead 2–0 || {{NHL recap|2000030222|L}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 3 || April 30, 2001 || 4–1 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins || Penguins lead 2–1 || {{NHL recap|2000030223|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 4 || May 2, 2001 || 5–2 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins || Series tied 2–2 || {{NHL recap|2000030224|W}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 5 || May 5, 2001 || 3–2 OT || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins || Sabres lead 3–2 || {{NHL recap|2000030225|W}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 6 || May 8, 2001 || 2–3 OT || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins || Series tied 3–3 || {{NHL recap|2000030226|L}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 7 || May 10, 2001 || 2–3 OT || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins || Penguins win 4–3 || {{NHL recap|2000030227|L}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

|-

|

Legend:

{{legend2|#cfc|Win|border=1px solid black|text=W}}

{{legend2|#fcc|Loss|border=1px solid black|text=L}}

{{Game log end}}

Player statistics

=Scoring=

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • {{dagger}} = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
  • {{double-dagger}} = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" data-sort-type="number" rowspan="2"| {{abbr|No.|Jersey number}}

!scope="col" rowspan="2"| Player

!scope="col" rowspan="2"| {{abbr|Pos|Position}}

!scope=colgroup colspan=6 | Regular season

!scope=colgroup colspan=6 | Playoffs

scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|GP|Games played}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|G|Goals}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|A|Assists}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|Pts|Points}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|+/-|Plus/minus}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|PIM|Penalties in minutes}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|GP|Games played}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|G|Goals}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|A|Assists}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|Pts|Points}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|+/-|Plus/minus}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|PIM|Penalties in minutes}}

scope="row"| 81{{efn|Satan wore number 18 through November 18.}}align="left"| {{Sortname|Miroslav|Satan|Miroslav Šatan}}LW82293362536133101348
scope="row"| 17align="left"| {{Sortname|Jean-Pierre|Dumont}}RW792328511541343748
scope="row"| 41align="left"| {{Sortname|Stu|Barnes}}C75192443−2261344802
scope="row"| 77align="left"| {{Sortname|Chris|Gratton}}C821921400102136410014
scope="row"| 93align="left"| {{Sortname|Doug|Gilmour}}C717313837013246−112
scope="row"| 44align="left"| {{Sortname|Alexei|Zhitnik}}D7882937−37513167−312
scope="row"| 61align="left"| {{Sortname|Maxim|Afinogenov}}RW781422361401123514
scope="row"| 52align="left"| {{Sortname|Dave|Andreychuk}}LW742013330321312304
scope="row"| 37align="left"| {{Sortname|Curtis|Brown|dab=ice hockey}}C7010223215341350548
scope="row"| 9align="left"| {{Sortname|Erik|Rasmussen|dab=ice hockey}}LW82121931051301120
scope="row"| 25align="left"| {{Sortname|Vaclav|Varada|Václav Varaďa}}RW75102131−2811304428
scope="row"| 5align="left"| {{Sortname|Jason|Woolley}}D6751823046815612
scope="row"| 45align="left"| {{Sortname|Dmitri|Kalinin}}D7941822−2381302254
scope="row"| 4align="left"| {{Sortname|Rhett|Warrener}}D773161910781302254
scope="row"| 42align="left"| {{Sortname|Richard|Smehlik|Richard Šmehlík}}D5631215641001134
scope="row"| 29align="left"| {{Sortname|Vladimir|Tsyplakov}}LW367714210910114
scope="row"| 3align="left"| {{Sortname|James|Patrick|dab=ice hockey}}D5449139121312302
scope="row"| 57align="left"| {{Sortname|Steve|Heinze}}{{dagger}}RW1457126813347010
scope="row"| 55align="left"| {{Sortname|Denis|Hamel}}LW418311−222{{sort
1|—}}{{sort
1|—}}{{sort
1|—}}{{sort
1|—}}{{sort
99|—}}{{sort
1|—}}
scope="row"| 74align="left"| {{Sortname|Jay|McKee}}D7411011976810136
scope="row"| 32align="left"| {{Sortname|Rob|Ray}}RW6346102210300002
scope="row"| 28align="left"| {{Sortname|Donald|Audette}}{{dagger}}RW1226811213369−14
scope="row"| 26align="left"| {{Sortname|Eric|Boulton}}LW35123−194{{sort
1|—}}{{sort
1|—}}{{sort
1|—}}{{sort
1|—}}{{sort
99|—}}{{sort
1|—}}
scope="row"| 39align="left"| {{Sortname|Dominik|Hasek|Dominik Hašek}}G67033style="background:#ccc|2213000style="background:#ccc|{{sort
98
} ||14

|-

|scope="row"| 16 || align="left"| {{Sortname|Chris|Taylor|dab=ice hockey}} ||C ||14 ||0 ||2 ||2 ||1 ||6 || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-99|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}}

|-

|scope="row"| 43 || align="left"| {{Sortname|Martin|Biron}} ||G ||18 ||0 ||0 ||0 || style="background:#ccc| ||0 || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-99|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}}

|-

|scope="row"| 51 || align="left"| {{Sortname|Brian|Campbell}} ||D ||8 ||0 ||0 ||0 ||−2 ||2 || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-99|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}}

|-

|scope="row"| 35 || align="left"| {{Sortname|Mika|Noronen}} ||G ||2 ||0 ||0 ||0 || style="background:#ccc| ||0 || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-99|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}}

|-

|scope="row"| 34 || align="left"| {{Sortname|Peter|Skudra|Pēteris Skudra}}{{dagger}}{{double-dagger}} ||G ||1 ||0 ||0 ||0 || style="background:#ccc| ||0 || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}} || {{sort|-99|—}} || {{sort|-1|—}}

|}

=Goaltending=

  • {{dagger}} = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
  • {{double-dagger}} = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" rowspan="2"| {{abbr|No.|Jersey number}}

!scope="col" rowspan="2"| Player

!scope=colgroup colspan=10 | Regular season

!scope=colgroup colspan=9 | Playoffs

scope="col" | {{abbr|GP|Games played}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|W|Wins}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|L|Losses}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|T|Ties}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|SA|Shots against}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|GA|Goals against}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|GAA|Goals against average}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|SV%|Save percentage}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|SO|Shutouts}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|TOI|Time on Ice}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|GP|Games played}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|W|Wins}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|L|Losses}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|SA|Shots against}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|GA|Goals against}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|GAA|Goals against average}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|SV%|Save percentage}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|SO|Shutouts}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|TOI|Time on Ice}}

scope="row"| 39align="left"| Dominik Hasek673724417261372.11.9211139041376347292.09.9161833
scope="row"| 43align="left"| Martin Biron18771427392.55.9092918—————————
scope="row"| 35align="left"| Mika Noronen22003952.78.8720108—————————
scope="row"| 34align="left"| Peter Skudra{{dagger}}{{double-dagger}}1000000.00style="background:#ccc|01—————————

Awards and records

=Awards=

class="wikitable"
scope="col" |Type

! scope="col" |Award/honor

! scope="col" |Recipient

! scope="col" |Ref

scope="row" rowspan="3"| League
(annual)

| NHL First All-Star Team

| Dominik Hasek (Goaltender)

|{{cite web |title=Postseason All-Star Teams |url=https://records.nhl.com/awards/phwa-all-star-teams?season=20002001 |website=records.nhl.com |access-date=April 18, 2023}}

Vezina Trophy

| Dominik Hasek

|{{cite web |title=Vezina Trophy |url=https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/vezina-trophy |website=records.nhl.com |access-date=April 18, 2023}}

William M. Jennings Trophy

| Dominik Hasek

|{{cite web |title=William M. Jennings Trophy |url=https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/william-m-jennings-trophy |website=records.nhl.com |access-date=April 18, 2023}}

scope="row" | League
(in-season)

| NHL All-Star Game selection

| Dominik Hasek

|{{cite web |title=2001 NHL All-Star Game Rosters |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/allstar/NHL_2001_roster.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=August 29, 2024}}

=Milestones=

class="wikitable"
scope="col" |Milestone

! scope="col" |Player

! scope="col" |Date

! scope="col" |Ref

rowspan=2| First game

| Eric Boulton

| rowspan=2| October 5, 2000

| rowspan=2|{{cite web |title=2000-01 NHL Debuts |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2001_debut.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=October 11, 2024}}

Mika Noronen
500th game played

| Dominik Hasek

| February 25, 2001

|{{cite web |title=Sabres 5, Lightning 4 |url=https://apnews.com/article/23c730e8c5678dbe8cfccce49a1491e1 |website=AP NEWS |access-date=April 19, 2023 |date=February 25, 2001 |quote=Dominik Hasek, playing in his 500th NHL game}}

Transactions

The Sabres were involved in the following transactions from June 11, 2000, the day after the deciding game of the 2000 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 9, 2001, the day of the deciding game of the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals.{{cite web |title=Hockey Transactions Search Results |url=https://www.prosportstransactions.com/hockey/Search/SearchResults.php?Player=&Team=Sabres&BeginDate=2000-06-11&EndDate=2001-06-09&PlayerMovementChkBx=yes&submit=Search&start=0 |website=www.prosportstransactions.com |access-date=May 5, 2023}}

=Trades=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width: 50em;"
scope="col"| Date

! scope="col" colspan="2"| Details

! scope="col"| Ref

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|06|23}}

| valign="top"| To Buffalo Sabres

{{blist |Past considerations{{efn|Columbus agreed to select Dwayne Roloson and Geoff Sanderson in the Expansion Draft.}}}}

| valign="top"| To Columbus Blue Jackets

{{blist |Matt Davidson |Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre |5th-round pick in 2000 |5th-round pick in 2001}}

|{{cite web |title=Columbus Blue Jackets - All-Time Transactions |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/cbj-history/all-time-transactions |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 5, 2023 |quote=June 23, 2000 - Acquired D Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre, RW Matt Davidson, a fifth round pick in the 2000 Entry Draft and a fifth round pick in the 2001 Draft from Buffalo for past considerations.}}

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

! scope="row" rowspan=3| {{start date|2000|06|25}}

| valign="top"| To Buffalo Sabres

{{blist |5th-round pick in 2001}}

| valign="top"| To Montreal Canadiens

{{blist |6th-round pick in 2000}}

|

valign="top"| To Buffalo Sabres
{{blist |7th-round pick in 2000}}

| valign="top"| To Tampa Bay Lightning

{{blist |7th-round pick in 2001 |9th-round pick in 2001}}

|

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

| valign="top"| To Buffalo Sabres

{{blist |8th-round pick in 2000}}

| valign="top"| To Calgary Flames

{{blist |8th-round pick in 2001}}

|

scope="row" rowspan=2| {{start date|2001|03|13}}

| valign="top"| To Buffalo Sabres

{{blist |Donald Audette}}

| valign="top"| To Atlanta Thrashers

{{blist |Rights to Kamil Piros |4th-round pick in 2001}}

|{{cite web |title=Sabres acquire Donald Audette and Steve Heinze |url=http://www.sabres.com/articles/art31301.html |website=Buffalo Sabres |access-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010619023338/http://www.sabres.com/articles/art31301.html |archive-date=June 19, 2001 |date=March 13, 2001}}

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

| valign="top"| To Buffalo Sabres

{{blist |Steve Heinze}}

| valign="top"| To Columbus Blue Jackets

{{blist |3rd-round pick in 2001}}

|

=Players acquired=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"

! Date

PlayerFormer teamTermViaRef
scope="row"| {{start date|2000|07|13}}

| Dave Andreychuk || Colorado Avalanche || 1-year || Free agency ||{{cite web |title=ANDREYCHUCK RETURNS TO BUFFALO WITH ONE-YEAR DEAL |url=http://www.sabres.com/articles/art71300.html |website=Buffalo Sabres |access-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010904181827/http://www.sabres.com/articles/art71300.html |archive-date=September 4, 2001 |date=July 13, 2000}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|10|06}}

| Peter Skudra || Boston Bruins || style="background:#ccc| || Waivers ||{{cite web |title=Sabres sign backup goalie - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/10/06/Sabres-sign-backup-goalie/5587970804800/ |website=UPI |access-date=May 5, 2023 |date=October 6, 2000}}

=Players lost=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"

! Date

PlayerNew teamVia{{efn|In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.{{cite web |title=2000 NHL Free Agents |url=http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/00freeagents.asp |website=tsn.ca |access-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815082745/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/00freeagents.asp |archive-date=August 15, 2000 |date=July 1, 2000}}}}Ref
scope="row" rowspan=2| {{start date|2000|06|23}}

| Dwayne Roloson || Columbus Blue Jackets || Expansion draft ||{{cite web |title=NHL Expansion Draft List - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/06/23/NHL-Expansion-Draft-List/9503961732800/ |website=UPI |access-date=May 5, 2023 |date=June 23, 2000}}

Geoff SandersonColumbus Blue JacketsExpansion draft
scope="row" rowspan=2| {{start date|2000|07|01}}

| Craig Fisher{{efn|Fisher suffered a career-ending concussion during the 1999–2000 season.{{cite web |last1=Fitz-Gerald |first1=Sean |title=The coach and the concussion that won’t go away |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2015/12/04/the-coach-and-the-concussion-that-wont-go-away.html |website=thestar.com |access-date=May 5, 2023 |date=December 4, 2015}}}} || style="background:#ccc| || Contract expiration (VI) ||

Mike Zanutto{{efn|Zanutto, who did not play during the 1999–2000 season, did not play professionally in 2000–01.{{eliteprospects|87019|Mike Zanutto}}, retrieved May 5, 2023}}style="background:#ccc|Contract expiration (UFA)
scope="row"| {{start date|2000|07|26}}

| Domenic Pittis || Edmonton Oilers || Free agency (VI) ||{{cite web |title=SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 26+ - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/08/02/SPORTS-TRANSACTIONS-FOR-WEDNESDAY-JULY-26/1004965188800/ |website=UPI |access-date=May 5, 2023 |date=August 2, 2000 |quote=Edmonton Oilers -- Signed center Domenic Pittis to a two-year contract}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|08|09}}

| Jason Cipolla || Rochester Americans (AHL) || Free agency (UFA) ||{{cite web |title=AMERKS SIGN CIPOLLA |url=http://amerks.com/cgi-bin/amerks/showpr2000?filename=Cipolla+signs+with+Rochester.html |website=Rochester Americans |access-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001218030400/http://amerks.com/cgi-bin/amerks/showpr2000?filename=Cipolla+signs+with+Rochester.html |archive-date=December 18, 2000 |date=August 9, 2000}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|08|29}}

| Mark Dutiaume || B.C. Icemen (UHL) || Free agency (UFA) ||{{cite web |title=Headlines for August 30, 2000 |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/headlines/?date_month=08&date_day=30&date_year=2000 |website=OurSports Central |access-date=May 5, 2023 |quote=Icemen re-sign Dutiaume, add NHL draftee to blue line corps - Press & Sun-Bulletin}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|09|08}}

| Randy Cunneyworth || style="background:#ccc| || Retirement (III) ||{{cite web |title=CUNNEYWORTH NAMED HEAD COACH OF AMERKS |url=http://www.sabres.com/articles/art_cuneyworth.html |website=Buffalo Sabres |access-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010619030300/http://www.sabres.com/articles/art_cuneyworth.html |archive-date=June 19, 2001 |date=September 8, 2000}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|09|10}}

| Paul Kruse || San Jose Sharks || Free agency (UFA) ||{{cite web |title=SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10+ - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/09/10/SPORTS-TRANSACTIONS-FOR-SUNDAY-SEPTEMBER-10/4276968558400/ |website=UPI |access-date=May 5, 2023 |date=September 10, 2000 |quote=San Jose Sharks -- Signed unrestricted free agent left wing Paul Kruse}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|09|18}}

| Scott Nichol || Detroit Vipers (IHL) || Free agency (VI) ||{{cite web |title=SCOTT NICHOL |url=http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/player_bio.asp?player_id=91&hubName=CGY |website=TSN.ca |access-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030105123013/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/player_bio.asp?player_id=91&hubName=CGY |archive-date=January 5, 2003 |quote=18-Sep-00: Assigned to Detroit (IHL).}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|09|23}}

| Daniel Bienvenue || El Paso Buzzards (WPHL) || Free agency (UFA) ||{{cite web |title=TRANSACTIONS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/24/sports/transactions-316970.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=May 5, 2023 |date=September 24, 2000 |quote=EL PASO BUZZARDS--Signed F Daniel Bienvenue}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|11|03}}

| Dixon Ward || Boston Bruins || Free agency (III) ||{{cite web |title=SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3+ - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/11/04/SPORTS-TRANSACTIONS-FOR-FRIDAY-NOVEMBER-3/6648973314000/ |website=UPI |access-date=May 5, 2023 |date=November 4, 2000 |quote=Boston Bruins -- Agreed to terms with center-right wing Dixon Ward on a one-year contract.}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|11|14}}

| Peter Skudra || Boston Bruins || Waivers ||{{cite web |title=Skudra claimed by Bruins - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/11/14/Skudra-claimed-by-Bruins/5005974178000/ |website=UPI |access-date=May 5, 2023 |date=November 14, 2000}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2001|05|12}}

| Doug Gilmour || style="background:#ccc| || Retirement{{efn|Gilmour would un-retire five months later to sign with the Montreal Canadiens on October 6, 2001.{{cite web |title=HOCKEY; Montreal Gets Gilmour |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/07/sports/hockey-montreal-gets-gilmour.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=March 6, 2023 |date=October 7, 2001}}}} ||{{cite web |title=Sabres Gilmour announces retirement - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/05/12/Sabres-Gilmour-announces-retirement/8003989640000/ |website=UPI |access-date=May 5, 2023 |date=May 12, 2001}}

=Signings=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"

! Date

PlayerTermContract typeRef
scope="row"| {{start date|2000|07|12}}

| Rob Ray || 1-year || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=Rob Ray Signed A One-Year Contract with the Sabres |url=http://www.sabres.com/articles/art71000.html |website=Buffalo Sabres |access-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010619044420/http://www.sabres.com/articles/art71000.html |archive-date=June 19, 2001 |date=July 12, 2000}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|07|20}}

| Alexei Zhitnik || 1-year || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=SABRES SIGN ZHITNIK TO CONTRACT |url=http://www.sabres.com/articles/art72000_2.html |website=Buffalo Sabres |access-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010619045835/http://www.sabres.com/articles/art72000_2.html |archive-date=June 19, 2001 |date=July 20, 2000}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|07|28}}

| Chris Taylor || 1-year || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=SABRES SIGN CENTER CHRIS TAYLOR |url=http://www.sabres.com/articles/art72800.html |website=Buffalo Sabres |access-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010619050553/http://www.sabres.com/articles/art72800.html |archive-date=June 19, 2001 |date=July 28, 2000}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|08|01}}

| Jason Woolley || 1-year || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=SABRES SIGN WOOLLEY TO CONTRACT |url=http://www.sabres.com/articles/art80100.html |website=Buffalo Sabres |access-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010619054037/http://www.sabres.com/articles/art80100.html |archive-date=June 19, 2001 |date=August 1, 2000}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2000|08|23}}

| James Patrick || 1-year || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=SABRES SIGN DEFENSEMAN JAMES PATRICK |url=http://www.sabres.com/articles/art82300b.html |website=Buffalo Sabres |access-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010904173307/http://www.sabres.com/articles/art82300b.html |archive-date=September 4, 2001 |date=August 23, 2000}}

scope="row" rowspan=2| {{start date|2000|09|07}}

| Vladimir Tsyplakov || 1-year || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=TRANSACTIONS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/08/sports/transactions-075639.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=May 5, 2023 |date=September 8, 2000 |quote=BUFFALO SABRES--Signed F Vladimir Tsyplakov to a one-year contract and D Jason Woolley to a multiyear contract extension.}}

Jason Woolleymulti-yearExtension
scope="row" rowspan=3| {{start date|2000|09|08}}

| Denis Hamel || || Re-signing ||

Jason HollandRe-signing{{cite web |title=TRANSACTIONS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/09/sports/transactions-075540.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=May 5, 2023 |date=September 9, 2000 |quote=BUFFALO SABRES--Re-signed F Erik Rasmussen and D Jason Holland.}}
Erik RasmussenRe-signing
scope="row"| {{start date|2000|11|07}}

| Martin Biron || || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=Sabres re-sign Biron - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/11/08/Sabres-re-sign-Biron/2824973659600/ |website=UPI |access-date=May 5, 2023 |date=November 8, 2000}}

Draft picks

Buffalo's draft picks at the 2000 NHL entry draft held at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta.{{cite web |title=2000 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2000e.html |website=www.hockeydb.com |access-date=April 19, 2023}}

class="wikitable"
align="center"

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="4.0%" | Round

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="4.0%" | #

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="21.0%" | Player

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="14.5%" | Nationality

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="50.0%" | College/Junior/Club team (League)

115Artyom Kryukov{{RUS}}Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia)
248Gerard Dicaire{{CAN}}Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
4111Ghyslain Rousseau{{CAN}}Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
5149Denis Denisov{{RUS}}CSKA Moscow Jr. (Russia)
7213Vasili Bizyayev{{RUS}}CSKA Moscow Jr. (Russia)
7220Paul Gaustad{{USA}}Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
8258Sean McMorrow{{CAN}}Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
9277Ryan Courtney{{CAN}}Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Farm teams

Rochester Americans finished with a record of 46–22–9–3. They were swept out of the playoffs in the first round.

See also

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{refbegin}}

  • {{cite web |title=Buffalo Sabres 2000-01 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000332001.html |website=www.hockeydb.com |access-date=April 7, 2023}}
  • {{cite web |title=2000-01 Buffalo Sabres Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/2001.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=April 7, 2023}}

{{refend}}

{{reflist}}

{{Buffalo Sabres}}

{{Buffalo Sabres seasons}}

{{2000-01 NHL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2000-01 Buffalo Sabres season}}

Buff

Category:Buffalo Sabres seasons

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