My top five Buffalo Sabres of all time have been decided. As a few of you mentioned in the comments of my previous post, you pretty much have the five players remaining.
I found it very interesting at the debate between Dominik Hasek and Gil Perreault for #1, and it did make me reconsider my decision.
However, I've now come up with my entire top 20, and here are the top 5:
5: Craig Ramsay - By the time I was born, Ramsay had already retired from the NHL, but his offensive numbers and longevity on the team is something that can't be missed. He played 14 seasons with Buffalo, and put together eight consecutive 20-goal seasons.
His career plus/minus was +328. That included seasons in which he was +37,38,39,44 and 51. In the 1974-75 season he scored seven shorthanded goals, as well as seven game-winners.
Excuse me for just looking at his statistics, but Ramsay was a solid forward who deserves to be in the top 5 of this list.
4: Pat LaFontaine - He was one of the most exciting players to watch. LaFontaine began his NHL career with the New York Islanders, scoring 19 points in 15 games in his first season. He only got better.
A few years later, LaFontaine caught his stride, scoring at least 40 goals in six consecutive seasons, two with Buffalo. None of those seasons were as big as the one he had during 1992-93. During that year, at age 27, he collected 53 goals and 148 points.
After that, it was downhill, and Sabres fans had to say goodbye to a legend. LaFontaine had to have knee surgery, causing him to miss almost all of the next season. He returned the next year with another 91 points, but then suffered another concussion.
LaFontaine was not cleared to play by the doctors, but still wanted to play. Then, he demanded a trade to a team whose doctors would clear him to play. That team was the Rangers. LaFontaine scored 62 points in 67 games, but suffered his 5th concussion after colliding with a teammate.
LaFontaine finished his career with 1,013 points in 865 games.
3: Rick Martin - He started playing hockey at the age of eight, and would eventually become known as one of the members of the Sabres French Connection.
In his first year (as a rookie) with the Sabres, Martin scored 44 goals, and finished with 74 points in 73 games.
Martin was known to have one of the quickest shots for the Sabres, and he showed why with his yearly statistics. In 1974-75, Martin earned 95 points, and then 15 more in 17 playoff games that season.
Martin was a solid two way player, but was forced to retire early at the age of 30. After injuring his knee and requiring surgery, Martin just wasn't the same again.
He finished his career with 701 points in 685 games.
2: Dominik Hasek - The greatest Sabres goaltender of all-time, Hasek was one of the most entertaining to watch. "The Dominator" came to play every night, making awe-inspiring saves, and having multiple impressive seasons.
In the 1997-'98 season, Hasek posted 33 wins, 13 of those being shutouts. He won the Hart Trophy and the next year led the Sabres to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Although Buffalo fell to the Stars in six games, Hasek posted phenomenal numbers. He had a 1.77 playoff goals against average and a .939 save percentage.
After groin injuries and a trade, Hasek eventually went on to win the Cup with Detroit. That only polished off his impressive resume.
Hasek finished with six Vezinas (in seven years), two Harts, two Pearsons, two Stanley Cup finals appearances and 46 shutouts.
1- Gilbert Perreault- For all of those who believe Hasek should be #1 on this list, I'm sorry, because there is one guy that beat him out.
With the first pick ever for the Buffalo Sabres franchise, the team selected Gilbert Perreault, who would lead the team to victories night in and night out.
Perreault's first season was just the beginning as he scored 72 points in 78 games. His biggest season came in 1975-76 when he scored 44 goals and 113 points.
Later in his career, Perreault pondered the thought of demanding a trade, only because he had yet to win the Stanley Cup. Although he never did win the Cup, he became the Sabres all-time leader in goals (512), assists (814), and points (1,326).
Perreault is the face of the franchise and with 17 seasons with Buffalo, he tops the list. He also put up 103 points in 90 playoff games.
Here are his stats:
There you have it. Here's the entire list of my top 20:
20. Chris Drury
19. Daniel Briere
18. Dale Hawerchuk
17. Jim Schoenfeld
16. Bill Hajt
15. Ryan Miller
14. Don Luce
13. Thomas Vanek
12. Mike Foligno
11. Phil Housley
10. Rene Robert
9. Dave Andreychuk
8. Alexander Mogilny
7. Mike Ramsey
6. Danny Gare
5. Craig Ramsay
4. Pat LaFontaine
3. Rick Martin
2. Dominik Hasek
1. Gilbert Perrault
What do you think? As always, thank you for reading!
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