Buffalo Sabres

Founded:	1970	GM:	Kevyn Adams
Owned By:	Terry Pegula	Coach:	Lindy Ruff
Home Rink:	KeyBank Center	Captain:	Rasmus Dahlin
AHL Affiliate:	Rochester Americans	ECHL Affiliate:	Cincinnati Cyclones

The Buffalo Sabres were established in 1970, along with the Vancouver Canucks, when the league expanded to 14 teams. The team has twice advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, losing to the Philadelphia Flyers in 1975 and to the Dallas Stars in 1999. The Sabres, along with the Canucks, are the longest continuously running active NHL franchises to have never won the Stanley Cup.

Deeper Dive

2024-25 Season Roster

Forwards

Defensemen

Goaltenders

Jersey History

Entering the NHL in 1970-71, the Sabres debuted in royal blue trimmed with gold. A royal colour scheme truly befitting a team named after the curved, single-edged blades used by cavalry units of monarchical Early Modern Europe. Read more…

Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres (THW Archives)

The Players

More Sabres History

The French Connection

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle lived well before hockey ever existed, but his quote, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” certainly applies to the Buffalo Sabres’ French Connection. The famous Sabres line, comprised of Gilbert Perreault, Richard Martin and Rene Robert was a point-producing, highlight-making trio from 1972 until the fall of 1979. Each of the three French-Canadians from Quebec was talented individually, but when they were put together on the same line, magic ensued. The trio was unstoppable. Read more…

Captains

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 (interim)
Michael Peca, 1997-2000
Stu Barnes, 2001-2003
Rotating Captains, 2003-2004
Daniel Briere and Chris Drury, 2005-2007
Rotating Captains, 2007-2008
Craig Rivet, 2008-2011
Jason Pominville, 2011-2013
Thomas Vanek, 2013
Steve Ott, 2013-2014
Brian Gionta, 2014-2017
Jack Eichel, 2018-2021
Kyle Okposo, 2022-2024
Rasmus Dahlin, 2024-present

Retired Numbers

2 – Tim Horton
7 – Rick Martin
11 – Gilbert Perreault
14 – Rene Robert
16 – Pat LaFontaine
18 – Danny Gare
30 – Ryan Miller
39 – Dominik Hasek

General Managers

Kevyn Adams: 2020 – Present
Jason Botterill: 2017 – 2020
Tim Murray: 2014 – 2017
Darcy Regier: 1997 – 2013
John Muckler: 1993 – 1997
Gerry Meehan: 1986 – 1993
Scotty Bowman: 1979 – 1986
John Andersen: 1978 – 1979
Punch Imlach: 1970 – 1978

Head Coaches

Lindy Ruff: April 22, 2024 – Present
Don Granato: March 18, 2021 – April 16, 2024
Ralph Krueger: Oct. 3, 2019 – March 16, 2021
Phil Housley: Oct. 5, 2017 – April 6, 2019
Dan Bylsma: Oct. 8, 2015 – April 9, 2017
Ted Nolan: Nov. 15, 2013 – April 11, 2015
Ron Rolston: Feb. 21 – Nov. 12, 2013
Lindy Ruff: Oct. 1, 1997 – Feb. 19, 2013
Ted Nolan: Oct. 7, 1995 – May 11, 1997
John Muckler: Dec. 13, 1991 – May 14, 1995
Rick Dudley: Oct. 5, 1989 – Dec. 11, 1991
Ted Sator: Dec. 23, 1986 – April 11, 1989
Craig Ramsay: Nov. 5 – Dec. 20, 1986
Scotty Bowman: Jan. 17 – Nov. 2, 1986
Jim Schoenfeld: Oct. 10, 1985 – Jan. 15, 1986
Scotty Bowman: March 20, 1982 – April 16, 1985
Jim Roberts: Dec. 9, 1981 – March 18, 1982
Scotty Bowman: Oct. 7 – Dec. 6, 1981
Roger Neilson: Oct. 9, 1980 – April 22, 1981
Scotty Bowman: Oct. 11, 1979 – May 10, 1980
Billy Inglis: Dec. 7, 1978 – April 14, 1979
Marcel Pronovost: Oct. 13, 1977 – Dec. 3, 1978
Floyd Smith: Oct. 10, 1974 – April 17, 1977
Joe Crozier: Jan. 13, 1972 – April 7, 1974
Floyd Smith: Jan. 9, 1972
Punch Imlach: Oct. 10, 1970 – Jan. 6, 1972