1997-1998 Season
Buffalo Sabres were 36-29-17 in the 1997-98 NHL season with 89 points, 10th overall.
1997-1998 Buffalo Sabres Roster
| # | N | Player | A | Born | Birthplace | HT | WT | S | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOALTENDERS | |||||||||
| #39 | 61 | Pardubice, CZE | 6'0" | 165 | L | ||||
| #31 | 54 | Toronto, ON, CAN | 6'4" | 214 | L | ||||
| DEFENSEMEN | |||||||||
| #6 | 55 | Windsor, ON, CAN | 6'0" | 205 | R | ||||
| #21 | 60 | Massena, NY, USA | 6'2" | 205 | L | ||||
| #74 | 49 | Kingston, ON, CAN | 6'4" | 212 | L | ||||
| #40 | 51 | Zaria, NGA | 6'3" | 245 | L | ||||
| #8 | 58 | Barrie, ON, CAN | 6'2" | 207 | L | ||||
| #42 | 56 | Ostrava, CZE | 6'2" | 220 | L | ||||
| #4 | 51 | Brampton, ON, CAN | 6'4" | 227 | L | ||||
| #5 | 57 | Toronto, ON, CAN | 6'0" | 203 | L | ||||
| #44 | 54 | Kyiv, UKR | 5'10" | 203 | L | ||||
| FORWARDS | |||||||||
| #28 | 57 | Laval, QC, CAN | 5'8" | 192 | R | ||||
| #36 | 53 | Ottawa, ON, CAN | 6'1" | 192 | L | ||||
| #37 | 50 | Unity, SK, CAN | 6'0" | 201 | L | ||||
| #12 | 60 | Fort Erie, ON, CAN | 5'9" | 176 | L | ||||
| #17 | 53 | Scarborough, ON, CAN | 5'10" | 187 | L | ||||
| #18 | 51 | Vyskov, CZE | 6'3" | 229 | R | ||||
| #19 | 54 | Parma, OH, USA | 5'11" | 190 | R | ||||
| #24 | 56 | Merritt, BC, CAN | 6'0" | 203 | L | ||||
| #27 | 54 | Toronto, ON, CAN | 6'1" | 214 | L | ||||
| #45 | 51 | Edmonton, AB, CAN | 5'8" | 179 | R | ||||
| #27 | 52 | Toronto, ON, CAN | 6'0" | 187 | R | ||||
| #26 | 55 | Cloquet, MN, USA | 5'11" | 181 | L | ||||
| #22 | 50 | Scarborough, ON, CAN | 6'4" | 225 | L | ||||
| #9 | 49 | Minneapolis, MN, USA | 6'1" | 209 | L | ||||
| #32 | 58 | Stirling, ON, CAN | 6'0" | 223 | L | ||||
| #80 | 54 | Hay River, NT, CAN | 6'0" | 190 | L | ||||
| #81 | 52 | Topolcany, SVK | 6'2" | 194 | L | ||||
| #25 | 50 | Koprivnice, CZE | 6'0" | 209 | L | ||||
| #15 | 58 | Leduc, AB, CAN | 5'11" | 198 | R | ||||
1997-1998 Buffalo Sabres Staff
- Head Coach
Lindy Ruff - Asst. Coach
Don Lever - Asst. Coach
Mike Ramsey - Goaltending Coach
Mitch Korn - General Manager
Darcy Regier - Asst. General Manager
Larry Carrière - Amateur Scout
Jim Benning - Amateur Scout
Ross Mahoney - Amateur Scout
Paul Merritt - Asst. Equipment Manager
George Babcock - Broadcaster
Rick Jeanneret - CEO
Larry Quinn - CEO
Tim Rigas - Conditioning Coach
Doug McKenney - Dir. of Player Development
Don Luce - Dir. of Professional Scouting
Terry Martin
Stories
Insights and analysis from EP Editorial team
1997-1998 Buffalo Sabres Demographics
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Buffalo Sabres Facts
- Plays in
- National Hockey League
- Team Colors
- Royal Blue + Gold + White
- Town
- Buffalo, NY, USA
Map
- Founded
- 1970
1997-1998 Buffalo Sabres Roster Facts
- Nationalities
20 players
4 players
4 players
1 player
1 player
- Experience
- Affiliated Team(s)
- Rochester Americans (AHL)
Arena Information
- Arena Name
- KeyBank Center
- Location
- Buffalo, NY, USA
- Capacity
- 19 070
- Construction Year
- 1996

Buffalo Sabres Games
| date | home | visiting | score | league |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | NHL | |||
| - | NHL | |||
| 1 - 3 | NHL | |||
| 4 - 3 (OT 60:54) | NHL | |||
| 4 - 5 (OT 63:14) | NHL |
Latest Transactions
| Date | Status | Player | Team | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up/Down | leaving | Orlando Solar Bears | |||
| Up/Down | joining | Rochester Americans | |||
| Confirmed | leaving | Pittsburgh Penguins | |||
| Confirmed | joining | Pittsburgh Penguins | |||
| Confirmed | joining | Pittsburgh Penguins | |||
| Extension | |||||
| Confirmed | leaving | New York Islanders | |||
| Confirmed | joining | Chicago Blackhawks |
Buffalo Sabres History and Standings
| season | league | GP | W | L | T | OTW | OTL | GF | GA | PTS | PPG | rank | postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-2027 | NHL | 10 | 2 | 4 | - | 2 | 2 | 28 | 37 | 10 | 1 | 13 | - |
| 2025-2026 | NHL | 82 | 42 | 23 | - | 8 | 9 | 288 | 241 | 109 | 1.33 | 2 | Conference SF loss |
| 2024-2025 | NHL | 82 | 29 | 39 | - | 7 | 7 | 269 | 289 | 79 | 0.96 | 14 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2023-2024 | NHL | 82 | 33 | 37 | - | 6 | 6 | 246 | 244 | 84 | 1.02 | 12 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2022-2023 | NHL | 82 | 30 | 33 | - | 12 | 7 | 296 | 300 | 91 | 1.11 | 10 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2021-2022 | NHL | 82 | 25 | 39 | - | 7 | 11 | 232 | 290 | 75 | 0.91 | 11 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2020-2021 | NHL | 56 | 15 | 34 | - | - | 7 | 138 | 199 | 37 | 0.66 | 31 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2019-2020 | NHL | 69 | 30 | 31 | - | - | 8 | 195 | 217 | 68 | 0.99 | 25 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2018-2019 | NHL | 82 | 33 | 39 | - | - | 10 | 226 | 271 | 76 | 0.93 | 27 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2017-2018 | NHL | 82 | 25 | 45 | - | - | 12 | 199 | 280 | 62 | 0.76 | 31 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2016-2017 | NHL | 82 | 33 | 37 | - | - | 12 | 201 | 237 | 78 | 0.95 | 26 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2015-2016 | NHL | 82 | 35 | 36 | - | - | 11 | 201 | 222 | 81 | 0.99 | 23 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2014-2015 | NHL | 82 | 23 | 51 | - | - | 8 | 161 | 274 | 54 | 0.66 | 30 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2013-2014 | NHL | 82 | 21 | 51 | - | - | 10 | 157 | 248 | 52 | 0.63 | 30 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2012-2013 | NHL | 48 | 21 | 21 | - | - | 6 | 125 | 143 | 48 | 1 | 23 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2011-2012 | NHL | 82 | 39 | 32 | - | - | 11 | 218 | 230 | 89 | 1.09 | 19 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2010-2011 | NHL | 82 | 43 | 29 | - | - | 10 | 245 | 229 | 96 | 1.17 | 15 | Conference QF loss |
| 2009-2010 | NHL | 82 | 45 | 27 | - | - | 10 | 235 | 207 | 100 | 1.22 | 11 | Conference QF loss |
| 2008-2009 | NHL | 82 | 41 | 32 | - | - | 9 | 250 | 234 | 91 | 1.11 | 18 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2007-2008 | NHL | 82 | 39 | 31 | - | - | 12 | 255 | 242 | 90 | 1.1 | 18 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2006-2007 | NHL | 82 | 53 | 22 | - | - | 7 | 308 | 242 | 113 | 1.38 | 1 | Conference Final loss |
| 2005-2006 | NHL | 82 | 52 | 24 | - | - | 6 | 281 | 239 | 110 | 1.34 | 5 | Conference Final loss |
| 2003-2004 | NHL | 82 | 37 | 34 | 7 | - | 4 | 220 | 221 | 85 | 1.04 | 18 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2002-2003 | NHL | 82 | 27 | 37 | 10 | - | 8 | 190 | 219 | 72 | 0.88 | 26 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2001-2002 | NHL | 82 | 35 | 35 | 11 | - | 1 | 213 | 200 | 82 | 1 | 20 | Did not make playoffs |
| 2000-2001 | NHL | 82 | 46 | 30 | 5 | - | 1 | 218 | 184 | 98 | 1.2 | 8 | Conference SF loss |
| 1999-2000 | NHL | 82 | 35 | 32 | 11 | - | 4 | 213 | 204 | 85 | 1.04 | 16 | Conference QF loss |
| 1998-1999 | NHL | 82 | 37 | 28 | 17 | - | - | 207 | 175 | 91 | 1.11 | 9 | Final loss |
| 1997-1998 | NHL | 82 | 36 | 29 | 17 | - | - | 211 | 187 | 89 | 1.09 | 10 | Conference Final loss |
| 1996-1997 | NHL | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | - | - | 237 | 208 | 92 | 1.12 | 6 | Conference SF loss |
Buffalo Sabres Retired Numbers
Buffalo Sabres Stars And Cult Players
Roger Crozier (G)
Don Luce (F)
René Robert (F)
Gilbert Perreault (F)
Craig Ramsay (F)
Richard Martin (F)
Bill Hajt (D)
Jim Schoenfeld (D)
Danny Gare (F)
Bob Sauvé (G)
Dale McCourt (F)
Mike Foligno (F)
Rick Vaive (F)
Lindy Ruff (D)
Mike Ramsey (D)
Grant Fuhr (G)
Dale Hawerchuk (F)
Doug Gilmour (F)
Dave Andreychuk (F)
Christian Ruuttu (F)
Phil Housley (D)
Dominik Hašek (G)
Pat LaFontaine (F)
Tom Barrasso (G)
Uwe Krupp (D)
Doug Bodger (D)
Rob Ray (F)
Teppo Numminen (D)
Alexander Mogilny (F)
Pierre Turgeon (F)
Donald Audette (F)
Richard Smehlik (D)
Stu Barnes (F)
Alexei Zhitnik (D)
Matthew Barnaby (F)
Michael Peca (F)
Miroslav Satan (F)
Vaclav Varada (F)
Chris Drury (F)
Jochen Hecht (F)
Jay McKee (D)
Toni Lydman (D)
Daniel Brière (F)
Ales Kotalik (F)
Henrik Tallinder (D)
Maxim Afinogenov (F)
Ryan Miller (G)
Jason Pominville (F)
Derek Roy (F)
Thomas Vanek (F)
Tyler Ennis (F)
Ryan O'Reilly (F)
Rasmus Ristolainen (D)
Sam Reinhart (F)
Jack Eichel (F)
Tage Thompson (F)
Rasmus Dahlin (D)
Where Are They Now?
Played in the team during season
| # | player | season | team | league | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2026-2027 | Barys Astana | KHL | 18 | 12 | 9 | 21 | 20 | |
| 2. | 2026-2027 | Vegas Golden Knights | NHL | 12 | 6 | 13 | 19 | 2 | |
| 3. | 2026-2027 | Shanghai Dragons | KHL | 17 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 0 | |
| 4. | 2026-2027 | HC Bolzano | ICEHL | 13 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 4 | |
| 5. | 2026-2027 | Genève-Servette HC | NL | 15 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 6 | |
| 6. | 2026-2027 | EHC Biel-Bienne | NL | 11 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 4 | |
| 7. | 2026-2027 | Lausanne HC | NL | 16 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 6 | |
| 8. | 2026-2027 | EHC Kloten | NL | 14 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 6 | |
| 9. | 2026-2027 | HK Olimpija Ljubljana | ICEHL | 13 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 16 | |
| 10. | 2026-2027 | Traktor Chelyabinsk | KHL | 16 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 2 |
Average Height, Weight, Age Per Season
| Season | Roster | Height | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-2027 | View Roster | 6'1" | 198 lbs | 26.63 |
| 2025-2026 | View Roster | 6'2" | 201 lbs | 26.43 |
| 2024-2025 | View Roster | 6'1" | 201 lbs | 25.87 |
| 2023-2024 | View Roster | 6'1" | 201 lbs | 26.23 |
| 2022-2023 | View Roster | 6'1" | 198 lbs | 26.30 |
Regular Season
Franchise All-Time Points
| # | Player | GP | G | A | TP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1191 | 512 | 814 | 1326 | |
| 2. | 837 | 368 | 436 | 804 | |
| 3. | 681 | 382 | 313 | 695 | |
| 4. | 1070 | 252 | 420 | 672 | |
| 5. | 608 | 178 | 380 | 558 |
Franchise All-Time Goals
| # | Player | GP | G | A | TP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1191 | 512 | 814 | 1326 | |
| 2. | 681 | 382 | 313 | 695 | |
| 3. | 837 | 368 | 436 | 804 | |
| 4. | 503 | 267 | 233 | 500 | |
| 5. | 598 | 254 | 243 | 497 |
Franchise All-Time Assists
| # | Player | GP | G | A | TP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1191 | 512 | 814 | 1326 | |
| 2. | 837 | 368 | 436 | 804 | |
| 3. | 1070 | 252 | 420 | 672 | |
| 4. | 608 | 178 | 380 | 558 | |
| 5. | 593 | 104 | 334 | 438 |
Franchise All-Time Penalty Min.
| # | Player | GP | G | TP | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 889 | 40 | 90 | 3189 | |
| 2. | 664 | 247 | 511 | 1450 | |
| 3. | 577 | 24 | 100 | 1392 | |
| 4. | 425 | 67 | 156 | 1323 | |
| 5. | 317 | 47 | 126 | 1248 |
Franchise All-Time Games Played
| # | Player | GP | G | A | TP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1191 | 512 | 814 | 1326 | |
| 2. | 1070 | 252 | 420 | 672 | |
| 3. | 911 | 73 | 256 | 329 | |
| 4. | 889 | 40 | 50 | 90 | |
| 5. | 854 | 42 | 202 | 244 |
Franchise All-Time Points Per Game
| # | Player | GP | G | TP | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 268 | 158 | 385 | 1.44 | |
| 2. | 381 | 211 | 444 | 1.17 | |
| 3. | 342 | 110 | 385 | 1.13 | |
| 4. | 1191 | 512 | 1326 | 1.11 | |
| 5. | 524 | 222 | 552 | 1.05 |
Franchise All-Time Points Per Season
| # | Player | Season | League | GP | G | A | TP | PPG | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1992-1993 | NHL | 84 | 53 | 95 | 148 | 1.76 | 63 | |
| 2. | 1992-1993 | NHL | 77 | 76 | 51 | 127 | 1.65 | 40 | |
| 3. | 1975-1976 | NHL | 80 | 44 | 69 | 113 | 1.41 | 36 | |
| 4. | 1989-1990 | NHL | 80 | 40 | 66 | 106 | 1.33 | 29 | |
| 5. | 1979-1980 | NHL | 80 | 40 | 66 | 106 | 1.33 | 57 |
Franchise All-Time Goals Per Season
| # | Player | Season | League | GP | G | A | TP | PPG | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1992-1993 | NHL | 77 | 76 | 51 | 127 | 1.65 | 40 | |
| 2. | 1979-1980 | NHL | 76 | 56 | 33 | 89 | 1.17 | 90 | |
| 3. | 1992-1993 | NHL | 84 | 53 | 95 | 148 | 1.76 | 63 | |
| 4. | 1974-1975 | NHL | 68 | 52 | 43 | 95 | 1.40 | 72 | |
| 5. | 1973-1974 | NHL | 78 | 52 | 34 | 86 | 1.10 | 38 |
Franchise All-Time Assists Per Season
| # | Player | Season | League | GP | G | A | TP | PPG | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1992-1993 | NHL | 84 | 53 | 95 | 148 | 1.76 | 63 | |
| 2. | 1992-1993 | NHL | 81 | 16 | 80 | 96 | 1.19 | 52 | |
| 3. | 1991-1992 | NHL | 77 | 23 | 75 | 98 | 1.27 | 27 | |
| 4. | 1975-1976 | NHL | 80 | 44 | 69 | 113 | 1.41 | 36 | |
| 5. | 1989-1990 | NHL | 80 | 40 | 66 | 106 | 1.33 | 29 |
Franchise All-Time Penalty Min. Per Season
| # | Player | Season | League | GP | G | A | TP | PPG | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1991-1992 | NHL | 63 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 0.13 | 354 | |
| 2. | 1990-1991 | NHL | 66 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 0.24 | 350 | |
| 3. | 1995-1996 | NHL | 73 | 15 | 16 | 31 | 0.42 | 335 | |
| 4. | 1988-1989 | NHL | 70 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 0.24 | 316 | |
| 5. | 1991-1992 | NHL | 69 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 0.25 | 309 |
Player Nationalities Throughout History
Recent NHL Entry Draft Selections
| rnd | # | player | born | birthplace | height | weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ||||||
| 1 | #4 | Lacombe, AB, CAN | 6'3" | 205 lbs | ||
| 1 | #20 | Moskva, RUS | 6'3" | 201 lbs | ||
| 4 | #124 | Riga, LAT | 6'1" | 192 lbs | ||
| 5 | #156 | Budapest, HUN | 6'1" | 194 lbs | ||
| 6 | #188 | St-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC, CAN | 6'0" | 187 lbs | ||
| 2025 | ||||||
| 1 | #9 | Havlickuv Brod, CZE | 6'6" | 218 lbs | ||
| 3 | #71 | Toronto, ON, CAN | 6'6" | 220 lbs | ||
| 4 | #103 | Vipiteno, ITA | 6'4" | 181 lbs | ||
| 4 | #116 | Les Cèdres, QC, CAN | 6'2" | 194 lbs | ||
| 5 | #135 | St-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC, CAN | 6'1" | 190 lbs | ||
| 6 | #167 | Excelsior, MN, USA | 5'11" | 181 lbs | ||
| 7 | #195 | Täby, SWE | 6'2" | 198 lbs | ||
| 7 | #199 | Lida, BLR | 6'3" | 179 lbs | ||
| 7 | #219 | Broadview Heights, OH, USA | 5'10" | 185 lbs | ||
| 2024 | ||||||
| 1 | #14 | Ylöjärvi, FIN | 5'11" | 190 lbs | ||
| 2 | #42 | Chaska, MN, USA | 6'6" | 225 lbs | ||
| 3 | #71 | Chaska, MN, USA | 5'11" | 190 lbs | ||
| 4 | #108 | Plymouth, MI, USA | 6'1" | 185 lbs | ||
| 4 | #123 | Gatineau, QC, CAN | 6'2" | 205 lbs | ||
| 6 | #172 | Hamburg, NY, USA | 6'1" | 192 lbs | ||
| 7 | #204 | Moskva, RUS | 6'0" | 192 lbs | ||
| 7 | #219 | Nanticoke, ON, CAN | 6'1" | 179 lbs | ||





