May 22nd, 2013 at 10:22 AM
By Anthony Custode Jr.When fans think of the all-time greatest goal scorers in Buffalo Sabres history, the French Connection is usually the first group that comes to mind.
However, a deeper look at the team's record books sheds light on all of the prolific goal scorers the organization has had, and how they measure up to the legendary line.
It's interesting to note that Gilbert Perreault holds the majority of career goal scoring records for the team; goals (512), goals by center (512), game-winning goals (81), 20-goal seasons (15), consecutive 20-goal seasons (12) and 30-goal seasons (10) are all team records held by Perreault. Perreault's linemate, Rick Martin, also owns a good chunk of the team's records in the goal department. Career goals by a left wing (382), goals by a left winger in a single season (52), career hat tricks (21), career games with four or more goals (4), consecutive 30-goal seasons (6), 40-goal seasons (5), consecutive 40-goal seasons (3) and consecutive 50-goal seasons (2) are all records held only by Martin. He also shares two other records; hat tricks in a season (7), also held by Alexander Mogilny and 50-goal seasons (2), also held by Danny Gare. Simply, the French Connection line was the best line in team history, and the record books support that notion.
Read more... Join the Conversation... May 21st, 2013 at 11:11 AM
By Mike MatiszJust a few days removed from Jhonas Enroth being named the best goaltender in the IIHF World Hockey Championships, Buffalo Sabres prospect goaltender Andrey Makarov has shown some promise while playing in the Memorial Cup.
Makarov, who is currently playing for the Saskatoon Blades, helped shock the Halifax Mooseheads in the round-robin match by saving 29 of 31 shots en route to a 5-2 victory.
The Blades are now 1-1-0 in the tournament as an automatic qualifier as the host team. The Blades lost 3-2- to the London Knights to open their tournament run. Makarov started that game as well and has a 2.53 GAA and a .922 save %.
The Blades will play Portland Wednesday.
Read more... Join the Conversation... May 20th, 2013 at 7:06 PM
By Paul Lane Sabres 101The Buffalo Sabres have brought back tough guy John Scott for a second season.
The fourth-line forward signed a one-year contract Monday, but the terms were not released.
The 30-year-old signed a one-year, $600,000 contract with the team last summer and played 34 games in the 2013 season. He did not score a point and logged 69 penalty minutes. He had one goal and four assists in 180 career games to go along with 305 penalty minutes.
Read more... Join the Conversation... May 20th, 2013 at 9:00 AM
By Paul Lane Sabres 101The anti-
Ryan Miller contingent of
Buffalo Sabres fans sure got a lot more ammunition over the weekend.
All of this adds more fuel to the fire that is the possibility of trading Miller this summer. Miller was probably the team's MVP this past season, but he posted the worst full-season record of his career (17-17-5) and is entering the final year of a five-year, $31.25 million contract (he's due $6.25 million in 2013-14).
Enroth is a restricted free agent, but the 24-year-old is restricted, meaning the Sabres retain his right with any offer at least matching the two-year, $1.35 million contract he just played out. He's due a raise either way, but his performance at the championships – and his status as the possible No. 1 netminder next season – could make that raise truly huge.
Enroth was a pedestrian 4-4-1 in 2013. But the defense in front of him was putrid. And his goals-against average (2.60) and save percentage (.919) were both better than those of Miller (2.81, .915, although Miller faces far more shots).
Enroth put up much better numbers once Ron Rolston became coach. Enroth started only twice before Lindy Ruff was fired Feb. 20 and made one other relief appearance. He got much more time under Rolston – thanks, in part, to the team's essential elimination from the playoffs weeks before the season ended. He made seven starts in March and April to go along with two relief appearances. He went 4-2-1 in that span, recording a shutout against the Philadelphia Flyers and three one-goal performances.
Enroth told a Swedish media outlet in April that improvement was no coincidence:
Ruff had been here too long. It was about time we brought in a new coach … Above all, it is nice to get a different voice in the locker room. Ron Rolston is a bit more personal and actually comes to talk with you. Lindy was a bit more the rough type who screams at practice. You could say that it was a bit 'old School' with Lindy. It's nice not having to walk on your toes all the time.”
Rolston's status as the permanent coach was made secure earlier this month, further making the case for a potential change in goal. But shuffling the Sabres' career wins leader (269) out of Buffalo is a task that may be easier said than done. Enroth has fewer than 1/10 the wins of Miller (Enroth's career mark stands at 21-18-7) and his 2.72 GAA is nothing special. But Ruff refused to give his backup goalies any playing time unless Miller was injured, so Enroth never got to get on a streak like he did at the IIHF tourney.
Not to mention that, while the competition was not as fierce as that Miller faced in the 2010 Olympics, Enroth did win the gold Miller couldn't.
Miller may still be an irreplaceable commodity, but Enroth is doing his best to prove otherwise. It appears he may have put the Sabres in a no-lose situation in net for next season.
Read more... Join the Conversation... May 19th, 2013 at 7:17 PM
By Paul Lane Sabres 101Buffalo Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth was named best goalie of the IIHF World Championships after leading Sweden to the gold medal Sunday.
He made 26 saves to help the Swedes easily defeat Switzerland, 5-1. Henrik Sedin scored twice and added an assist for Sweden. The Swiss earned the silver to garner their first IIHF medal in 60 years. They scored first before Sweden peeled off the last five goals of the game.
Enroth finished the tournament with a 6-1 record. He allowed only eight goals in seven games, including two shutouts. Former Sabre Henrik Tallinder also won a gold.
In the bronze medal game, Alex Galchenyuk scored in the shootout to give the United States a 3-2 win over Finland.
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