Buffalo Sabres top 50 of all time

[Hoss]

So this might be an interesting exercise if anybody else is willing to get in on it.

 

The Leafs did their top 100 because this year is their centennial season. The Sabres will cross the 50-year mark in 2020. So let's do what we did for the best players in the NHL, but this will, instead, be for the Sabres best 50 players of all time.

 

This is ONLY players who played for the Sabres in their time with the team.

 

Regardless, let's kick it off a number one.

 

I don't believe there's any argument for a player other than Hasek or Perreault so they get the first poll. Whoever loses this poll by the end of the day will move in to the number two slot and we'll take nominations for the third-best player (you can nominate at any time. I'll add players who get multiple nominations to the next poll).

 

1. Dominik Hasek

2. Gilbert Perreault

3. Pat LaFontaine

4. Rick Martin

5. Alexander Mogilny

6. Phil Housley

7. Danny Gare

8. Mike Ramsey

9. Dave Andreychuk

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

Edited October 24, 2016 by Hoss

[Taro T]

Dom.

[Taro T]

Nomination for 3rd best - LaFontaine. His career in Buffalo was too short, but to deny him that slot because of that would be akin to denying Gale Sayers was da Bears 2nd greatest back.

[Huckleberry]

went for Perreault , never seen him play though to young for that, but Hasek is my #2 for sure.

[Sabel79]

Hasek all day. The only time Sabres fans have had the opportunity to see the the best there is in action in our colors. He took some garbage teams to heights they could not possibly have imagined, and a few decent teams almost to the top of the hill. End of.

[ubkev]

Mogilny gets my vote for number 3. Board consensus will probably bump him down 2 spots, but I put him up there.

[Hoss]

Looking for some more nominations for the third spot. I'll update when I wake up tomorrow.

[Sabel79]

Sabres history is replete with a cavalcade of half-decent players, a few brilliant stars burned out (for various reasons) too fast, and then Gilbert and Dom. Gilbert occupying the level directly below Dom. Dunno how far we can stretch it...

[Hoss]

Sabres history is replete with a cavalcade of half-decent players, a few brilliant stars burned out (for various reasons) too fast, and then Gilbert and Dom. Gilbert occupying the level directly below Dom. Dunno how far we can stretch it...

No need to stretch. I'm sure most are aware we'll have some weak players at the back end.

 

But we'll have Dom, Gilbert, Housley, PLF, Ramsay, Ramsay, Martin, Robert, Mogilny, Andreychuk, Gare, Drury, Briere, Vanek, Luce, Hawerchuk and a few more that are probably slipping my mind occupying a good amount of the list.

[ubkev]

I will petition for Derek Roy to make the list at some point.

 

Deal with it! :p

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Gil first and it's not even close for me.

 

Dom second.

 

Mogilny at #3.

 

Patty #4

 

Schoney at #5.

 

I'll get back to you later.

[Thorner]

No need to stretch. I'm sure most are aware we'll have some weak players at the back end.

But we'll have Dom, Gilbert, Housley, PLF, Ramsay, Ramsay, Martin, Robert, Mogilny, Andreychuk, Gare, Drury, Briere, Vanek, Luce, Hawerchuk and a few more that are probably slipping my mind occupying a good amount of the list.

Good thread!

 

What about guys like Turgeon, who was only here a few years? I'm guessing only their work as a Sabre counts, right? Like no Gilmours?

[Sabel79]

Good thread!

What about guys like Turgeon, who was only here a few years? I'm guessing only their work as a Sabre counts, right? Like no Gilmours?

YOU WILL NOT SPEAK THAT NAME!!!!

[Thorner]

I feel like the second poll has gotta be Lafontaine v Mogilny.

YOU WILL NOT SPEAK THAT NAME!!!!

He Who Must Not Be Named.

[Taro T]

I feel like the second poll has gotta be Lafontaine v Mogilny.

LaFontaine was a team player. Sasha, not so much. If he could've finished any breakaways in '94, the Sabres would've been playing the Rags.

[Sabel79]

I feel like the second poll has gotta be Lafontaine v Mogilny.

 

He Who Must Not Be Named.

Honestly, if we were to have a poll for former Sabres who should be scrubbed from team history he'd have to be tied for first with Kozlov.

 

I need to go shower now.

[Thorner]

Still, 76 goals is somethin' else. (Re: Mogilny, obviously)

Edited October 16, 2016 by Thorny

[Taro T]

Still, 76 goals is somethin' else. (Re: Mogilny, obviously)

It is, and his next contract was (per that contract) nearly COMPLETELY based off how many goals he scored in '93. The guy (literally) saw $$$$'s every time the red light went on.

[GASabresIUFAN]

The third best player in Sabres history is LaFontaine, his point per game played is better then any other Sabres in history. After him you have Housley and Andreychuk, one HoFer and one who should be soon. No other Sabre is even in the running. The next one is Rick Martin, whose goals per game is better then any other Sabre in history.

 

As to Hasek vs Perreault there really isn't much of an argument for Gilbert. I grew up going to the Aud to watch the French Connection. I loved watching them and they got us close to a championship. Perreault was a great player and a deserving HOFer, but he is never in the conversation as the G.O.A.T at center in NHL history. However, Hasek is arguably the GOAT for goaltenders. Personally, I think he is the greatest goalie for all time. Better then Roy, or Brodeur.

[Chubbs]

My vote for number three would be mogilny - watching him score 76 was the season I became hooked on the Sabres

[Sabel79]

The third best player in Sabres history is LaFontaine, his point per game played is better then any other Sabres in history. After him you have Housley and Andreychuk, one HoFer and one who should be soon. No other Sabre is even in the running. The next one is Rick Martin, whose goals per game is better then any other Sabre in history.

As to Hasek vs Perreault there really isn't much of an argument for Gilbert. I grew up going to the Aud to watch the French Connection. I loved watching them and they got us close to a championship. Perreault was a great player and a deserving HOFer, but he is never in the conversation as the G.O.A.T at center in NHL history. However, Hasek is arguably the GOAT for goaltenders. Personally, I think he is the greatest goalie for all time. Better then Roy, or Brodeur.

I don't know that it's even arguable. Hasek was the best player period in the sport for a few years running, let alone at his position. When one considers the history of goaltending in the NHL, there are none better. Ever.

[Marvelo]

LaFontaine was a team player. Sasha, not so much. If he could've finished any breakaways in '94, the Sabres would've been playing the Rags.

I always wondered what made Mogilny miss all those breakaways that year before his departure. Was it a demonstration that things weren't right with the organization or just coincidence?

[Sabel79]

I always wondered what made Mogilny miss all those breakaways that year before his departure. Was it a demonstration that things weren't right with the organization or just coincidence?

Seeing that his luck wasn't much better in Vancouver, Toronto or New Jersey I'd say coincidence.

[SwampD]

I always wondered what made Mogilny miss all those breakaways that year before his departure. Was it a demonstration that things weren't right with the organization or just coincidence?

Russian mob government "influence".

[GASabresIUFAN]

Mogilny was an excellent player, but one season is not a career. He never scored more then 40 for the Sabres other then that one season. I don't think his Sabres career is even close to as influencial on the team as Andreychuk or Housley or Martin or Gare or even Robert. I'd put below all those guys with Hawerchuk.

Edited October 16, 2016 by GASabresIUFAN