2006–07 Buffalo Sabres season explained

League:NHL
Season:2006–07
Year:2006
Team:Buffalo Sabres
Conferencerank:1st
Divisionrank:1st
Record:53–22–7
Homerecord:28–10–3
Roadrecord:25–12–4
Goalsfor:308
Goalsagainst:242
Attendance:18,690
Goalsleader:Thomas Vanek (43)
Assistsleader:Daniel Briere (63)
Pointsleader:Daniel Briere (95)
Pimleader:Adam Mair (128)
Plusminusleader:Thomas Vanek (+47)
Winsleader:Ryan Miller (40)
Gaaleader:Ryan Miller (2.73)
Presidentstrophy:Yes
Divisionwin:Yes

The 2006–07 Buffalo Sabres season was the 37th season of operation, 36th season of play, for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.[1] The Season began with the team attempting to rebound from a disappointing end to the 2005–06 season, in which the Sabres advanced to the Eastern Conference finals before losing in seven to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes.

With the best regular-season record in the NHL, the Sabres were awarded the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in their history, and they also earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They defeated the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers in the first two rounds of the playoffs. In the Eastern Conference finals, however, the Sabres' season came to an end when they were defeated by the Ottawa Senators in game five of the Conference finals. As of 2024, this remains the most recent season the Sabres won a playoff series.

Offseason

The team lost several veterans to free agency, including J. P. Dumont, Jay McKee, Mike Grier, and Rory Fitzpatrick. Conversely, the team signed only one new player to the roster: defenseman Jaroslav Spacek. The team planned to rely on young players from their own organization – Jiri Novotny, Paul Gaustad and Nathan Paetsch, to name a few—to fill the holes left by the departing players.

Controversy swirled around the team's logo and jersey, meanwhile, as the look was changed. The team's colors were reverted to blue and gold, which they had worn from their addition to the league as an expansion team until 1996–97, when the colors were changed to black and red. The new logo, though, was said to resemble to many a slug or a wig. There were strong efforts to prevent the team from wearing this new jersey, although none were successful. The team's new third jersey, meanwhile, featured the team's original logo. Despite the controversy, the NHL reported that sales of Sabres merchandise were up approximately 1170% from the 2005–2006 season.[2]

Regular season

The Sabres were very successful early in the season, tying an NHL record by winning their first ten games, before finally suffering a shootout loss to the Atlanta Thrashers.[3] They did not lose a game in regulation until exactly one month into the season, in their thirteenth game, when they lost to Toronto.[4] The Sabres also set an NHL record by winning their first ten road games of the season,[5] not losing outside of HSBC Arena until November 18 in Ottawa. This record would not be broken until 2023, when the Los Angeles Kings won their 11th straight road game to start the season.

On January 9, it was announced that three members of the Sabres had been voted to start the All-Star Game for the Eastern Conference: forward Daniel Briere, defenseman Brian Campbell, and goaltender Ryan Miller. It was the first All-Star appearance for each.[6] In addition, as the Sabres had the best record in the Eastern Conference as of the end of All-Star voting, head coach Lindy Ruff was assigned to coach the Eastern Conference team.[7] Briere recorded a goal and four assists in the game, and was named Most Valuable Player of the game.[8] Thomas Vanek was also invited to All-Star Weekend to play in the YoungStars game.[9]

On January 13, Jason Pominville recorded his 20th goal of the season, becoming the fourth Sabre (after Chris Drury, Thomas Vanek and Maxim Afinogenov) to record 20 goals before the All-Star break. At the time of Pominville's 20th goal, no other team in the NHL had more than two players with 20 goals.[10] Daniel Briere became the fifth Sabre to record 20 goals as he scored a hat-trick on January 30 against the Boston Bruins. With the feat, the Sabres became the first team since the 1995–96 Pittsburgh Penguins to have five 20–goal scorers before February.[11] Four Sabres would go on to reach the 30-goal plateau. For the first time in 12 years, Buffalo was not shut-out in any of their 82 regular season games. Moreover, the Sabres led the NHL in goals scored and became the first team to score at least 200 even-strength goals during the regular season since the New Jersey Devils in 2000–01.

In February, the Sabres found themselves battling injury problems. Forward Tim Connolly had been on the long-term injury list all season, and he was joined by Paul Gaustad when a tendon in his leg was sliced on February 7 against the Ottawa Senators. Jaroslav Spacek broke his left hand soon thereafter, and the Sabres lost Maxim Afinogenov, who broke his left wrist, and Jiri Novotny with a high ankle sprain. Ales Kotalik was next to go down, with a knee sprain, and forward Daniel Paille broke his finger. Against the Ottawa Senators on February 22, captain Chris Drury was injured by a blow to the head by Chris Neil, sparking a wild brawl which saw a fight between Martin Biron and Senators goaltender Ray Emery, and later between Emery and Sabres enforcer Andrew Peters.[12]

The Sabres were the last team to be involved in a trade in the 2006–07 season. On the day of the NHL trade deadline, though, they made four trades. Goaltender Martin Biron, who had been the longest-tenured Sabre, was sent to Philadelphia for Philadelphia's second-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Buffalo's fifth-round pick in that draft was sent to Columbus in exchange for another backup goalie, Ty Conklin. Jiri Novotny was sent along with Buffalo's 2007 first-round pick to Washington in exchange for Dainius Zubrus and Timo Helbling. Finally, the Sabres sent their fourth-round pick in 2007 to Nashville for Mikko Lehtonen, a minor league defenseman.[13]

Due to injuries, many Sabres prospects were called up from the team's American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans, and made their NHL debuts during the season; Mike Card, Michael Funk, Patrick Kaleta, Clarke MacArthur, Mark Mancari, Michael Ryan, Andrej Sekera and Drew Stafford all played their first career NHL game during the 2006–07 season.

The Sabres finished with 298 goals scored (excluding 10 shootout-winning goals), the most in the League.[14]

Season standings

Playoffs

See main article: 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Sabres earned the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference by virtue of finishing with the highest point total in the conference.

Eastern Conference quarterfinals: vs. (8) New York Islanders

The Sabres faced the New York Islanders in the first round of the playoffs.

Eastern Conference semifinals: vs. (6) New York Rangers

The Sabres faced the New York Rangers in the second round of the playoffs. The Rangers advanced by sweeping the Atlanta Thrashers, the number three seed, in the first round.

Eastern Conference finals: vs. (4) Ottawa Senators

The Sabres faced their division rivals, the Ottawa Senators, in the Eastern Conference finals. The Senators advanced by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round and the New Jersey Devils in the second. The Sabres lost the series, four games to one.

Schedule and results

Regular season

|- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 1 || October 4 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || Carolina || SO || Miller || 18,840 || 1–0–0 || 2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 2 || October 6 || Montreal || 4 – 5 || Buffalo || SO || Miller || 18,690 || 2–0–0 || 4 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 3 || October 7 || Buffalo || 4 – 3 || Ottawa || || Biron || 19,202 || 3–0–0 || 6 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 4 || October 13 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || Detroit || SO || Miller || 20,066 || 4–0–0 || 8 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 5 || October 14 || NY Rangers || 4 – 7 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 5–0–0 || 10 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 6 || October 17 || Philadelphia || 1 – 9 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 6–0–0 || 12 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 7 || October 20 || Carolina || 4 – 5 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 7–0–0 || 14 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 8 || October 21 || Buffalo || 6 – 2 || Boston || || Biron || 14,382 || 8–0–0 || 16 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 9 || October 23 || Buffalo || 4 – 1 || Montreal || || Miller || 21,273 || 9–0–0 || 18 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 10 || October 26 || Buffalo || 3 – 0 || NY Islanders || || Miller || 8,861 || 10–0–0 || 20 || |- align="center"| 11 || October 28 || Atlanta || 5 – 4 || Buffalo || SO || Miller || 18,690 || 10–0–1 || 21 || |-|- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 12 || November 2 || Buffalo || 5 – 4 || Boston || SO || Miller || 12,547 || 11–0–1 || 23 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 13 || November 4 || Toronto || 4 – 1 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 11–1–1 || 23 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 14 || November 5 || Buffalo || 4 – 3 || NY Rangers || OT || Biron || 18,200 || 12–1–1 || 25 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 15 || November 10 || Florida || 4 – 5 || Buffalo || OT || Biron || 18,690 || 13–1–1 || 27 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 16 || November 11 || Buffalo || 5 – 4 || Philadelphia || OT || Biron || 19,633 || 14–1–1 || 29 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 17 || November 13 || Buffalo || 7 – 4 || Carolina || || Biron || 14,387 || 15–1–1 || 31 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 18 || November 15 || Ottawa || 4 – 2 || Buffalo || || Biron || 18,690 || 15–2–1 || 31 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 19 || November 17 || Pittsburgh || 2 – 4 || Buffalo || || Biron || 18,690 || 16–2–1 || 33 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 20 || November 18 || Buffalo || 1 – 4 || Ottawa || || Miller || 19,770 || 16–3–1 || 33 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 21 || November 20 || Tampa Bay || 2 – 7 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 17–3–1 || 35 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 22 || November 22 || Toronto || 4 – 7 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 18–3–1 || 37 || |- align="center"| 23 || November 24 || Montreal || 2 – 1 || Buffalo || OT || Miller || 18,690 || 18–3–2 || 38 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 24 || November 26 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || NY Rangers || OT || Miller || 18,200 || 19–3–2 || 40 || |-|- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 25 || December 1 || NY Rangers || 3 – 4 || Buffalo || SO || Miller || 18,690 || 20–3–2 || 42 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 26 || December 2 || Buffalo || 4 – 7 || Washington || || Biron || 17,162 || 20–4–2 || 42 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 27 || December 5 || Buffalo || 4 – 1 || Tampa Bay || || Miller || 20,025 || 21–4–2 || 44 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 28 || December 7 || Buffalo || 1 – 3 || Florida || || Miller || 15,385 || 21–5–2 || 44 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 29 || December 9 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || Montreal || SO || Miller || 21,273 || 22–5–2 || 46 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 30 || December 12 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || New Jersey || || Miller || 11,156 || 23–5–2 || 48 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 31 || December 14 || Florida || 1 – 2 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 24–5–2 || 50 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 32 || December 16 || Ottawa || 3 – 1 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 24–6–2 || 50 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 33 || December 19 || Montreal || 5 – 2 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 24–7–2 || 50 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 34 || December 21 || Buffalo || 7 – 2 || Nashville || || Biron || 16,616 || 25–7–2 || 52 || |- align="center"| 35 || December 23 || Buffalo || 2 – 3 || St. Louis || OT || Biron || 12,513 || 25–7–3 || 53 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 36 || December 26 || Washington || 3 – 6 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 26–7–3 || 55 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 37 || December 28 || Carolina || 1 – 4 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 27–7–3 || 57 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 38 || December 30 || Atlanta || 1 – 4 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 28–7–3 || 59 || |-|- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 39 || January 1 || NY Islanders || 1 – 3 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 29–7–3 || 61 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 40 || January 3 || Buffalo || 3 – 6 || Ottawa || || Miller || 19,777 || 29–8–3 || 61 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 41 || January 5 || Pittsburgh || 4 – 2 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 29–9–3 || 61 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 42 || January 6 || Buffalo || 4 – 3 || Toronto || || Biron || 19,487 || 30–9–3 || 63 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 43 || January 10 || Buffalo || 2 – 1 || Chicago || || Miller || 14,041 || 31–9–3 || 65 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 44 || January 11 || Toronto || 4 – 2 || Buffalo || || Biron || 18,690 || 31–10–3 || 65 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 45 || January 13 || Tampa Bay || 3 – 2 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 31–11–3 || 65 || |- align="center"| 46 || January 15 || Buffalo || 2 – 3 || Boston || SO || Miller || 15,585 || 31–11–4 || 66 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 47 || January 17 || Boston || 3 – 6 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 32–11–4 || 68 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 48 || January 19 || Vancouver || 3 – 4 || Buffalo || SO || Miller || 18,690 || 33–11–4 || 70 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 49 || January 20 || Buffalo || 3 – 4 || Montreal || || Biron || 21,273 || 33–12–4 || 70 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 50 || January 26 || Buffalo || 2 – 3 || Columbus || || Miller || 18,136 || 33–13–4 || 70 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 51 || January 27 || Buffalo || 3 – 5 || NY Islanders || || Miller || 15,218 || 33–14–4 || 70 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 52 || January 30 || Boston || 1 – 7 || Buffalo || || Biron || 18,690 || 34–14–4 || 72 || |-|- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 53 || February 1 || Buffalo || 3 – 1 || Boston || || Biron || 13,853 || 35–14–4 || 74 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 54 || February 3 || Buffalo || 2 – 3 || New Jersey || || Miller || 18,589 || 35–15–4 || 74 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 55 || February 6 || Buffalo || 4 – 3 || Atlanta || SO || Miller || 17,881 || 36–15–4 || 76 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 56 || February 7 || Ottawa || 2 – 3 || Buffalo || || Biron || 18,690 || 37–15–4 || 78 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 57 || February 10 || Calgary || 2 – 3 || Buffalo || SO || Miller || 18,690 || 38–15–4 || 80 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 58 || February 15 || Edmonton || 1 – 2 || Buffalo || OT || Miller || 18,690 || 39–15–4 || 82 || |- align="center"| 59 || February 17 || Boston || 4 – 3 || Buffalo || SO || Miller || 18,690 || 39–15–5 || 83 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 60 || February 20 || Philadelphia || 3 – 6 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 40–15–5 || 85 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 61 || February 22 || Ottawa || 5 – 6 || Buffalo || SO || Miller || 18,690 || 41–15–5 || 87 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 62 || February 24 || Buffalo || 5 – 6 || Ottawa || || Miller || 20,040 || 41–16–5 || 87 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 63 || February 27 || Buffalo || 6 – 1 || Toronto || || Miller || 19,588 || 42–16–5 || 89 || |-|- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 64 || March 2 || Montreal || 5 – 8 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 43–16–5 || 91 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 65 || March 3 || Buffalo || 3 – 1 || Toronto || || Miller || 19,515 || 44–16–5 || 93 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 66 || March 7 || Colorado || 3 – 2 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 44–17–5 || 93 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 67 || March 9 || Minnesota || 5 – 1 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 44–18–5 || 93 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 68 || March 10 || New Jersey || 3 – 2 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690|| 44–19–5 || 93 || |- align="center"| 69 || March 13 || Buffalo || 4 – 5 || Pittsburgh || SO || Miller || 17,132 || 44–19–6 || 94 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 70 || March 15 || Buffalo || 5 – 3 || Florida || || Conklin || 18,111 || 45–19–6 || 96 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 71 || March 16 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || Tampa Bay || || Miller || 21,264 || 46–19–6 || 98 || |- align="center"| 72 || March 18 || Buffalo || 3 – 4 || Atlanta || OT || Miller || 18,602 || 46–19–7 || 99 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 73 || March 21 || Washington || 2 – 5 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 47–19–7 || 101 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 74 || March 23 || Toronto || 4 – 5 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 48–19–7 || 103 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 75 || March 24 || Buffalo || 1 – 4 || Toronto || || Miller || 19,571 || 48–20–7 || 103 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 76 || March 28 || New Jersey || 3 – 4 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 49–20–7 || 105 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 77 || March 30 || NY Islanders || 4 – 6 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 50–20–7 || 107 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 78 || March 31 || Buffalo || 3 – 4 || Montreal || || Conklin || 21,273 || 50–21–7 || 107 || |-|- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 79 || April 3 || Buffalo || 4 – 1 || Pittsburgh || || Miller || 17,132 || 51–21–7 || 109 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 80 || April 5 || Boston || 2 – 4 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 52–21–7 || 111 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 81 || April 7 || Buffalo || 2 – 0 || Washington || || Miller || 18,277 || 53–21–7 || 113 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 82 || April 8 || Buffalo || 3 – 4 || Philadelphia || || Conklin || 19,027 || 53–22–7 || 113 || |-|-| Legend:

Playoffs

|- align=center bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 1 || April 12 || NY Islanders || 1 – 4 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || Sabres lead 1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 2 || April 14 || NY Islanders || 3 – 2 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || Series tied 1–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 3 || April 16 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || NY Islanders || || Miller || 16,234 || Sabres lead 2–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 4 || April 18 || Buffalo || 4 – 2 || NY Islanders || || Miller || 16,234 || Sabres lead 3–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 5 || April 20 || NY Islanders || 3 – 4 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || Sabres win 4–1 || |-|- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 1 || April 25 || NY Rangers || 2 – 5 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || Sabres lead 1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 2 || April 27 || NY Rangers || 2 – 3 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || Sabres lead 2–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 3 || April 29 || Buffalo || 1 – 2 || NY Rangers || 2OT || Miller || 18,200 || Sabres lead 2–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 4 || May 1 || Buffalo || 1 – 2 || NY Rangers || || Miller || 18,200 || Series tied 2–2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 5 || May 4 || NY Rangers || 1 – 2 || Buffalo || OT || Miller || 18,690 || Sabres lead 3–2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb"| 6 || May 6 || Buffalo || 5 – 4 || NY Rangers || || Miller || 18,200 || Sabres win 4–2 || |-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 1 || May 10 || Ottawa || 5 – 2 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || Senators lead 1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 2 || May 12 || Ottawa || 4 – 3 || Buffalo ||2OT || Miller || 18,690 || Senators lead 2–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 3 || May 14 || Buffalo || 0 – 1 || Ottawa || || Miller || 20,171 || Senators lead 3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 4 || May 16 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || Ottawa || || Miller || 20,294 || Senators lead 3–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb"| 5 || May 19 || Ottawa || 3 – 2 || Buffalo || OT || Miller || 18,690 || Senators win 4–1 || |-|-| Legend:

Player statistics

Scoring

Playerscope=colgroup colspan=6 Regular seasonscope=colgroup colspan=6 Playoffs
48 C 81 32 63 95 17 89 16 3 12 15 3 16
26 LW 82 43 41 84 47 40 16 6 4 10 2 10
23 C 77 37 32 69 1 30 16 8 5 13 3 2
29 RW 82 34 34 68 25 30 16 4 6 10 2 0
9 C 75 21 42 63 37 60 16 2 5 7 3 14
61 RW 56 23 38 61 19 66 15 5 4 9 3 6
55 C 76 19 37 56 19 39 16 4 1 5 2 10
51 D 82 6 42 48 28 35 16 3 4 7 0 14
12 RW 66 16 22 38 −5 46 16 2 2 4 −3 8
45 D 82 7 22 29 19 36 16 2 3 5 9 14
27 D 79 2 27 29 17 32 16 0 4 4 10 4
21 RW 41 13 14 27 5 33 10 2 2 4 3 4
38 D 63 2 22 24 10 50
28 C 54 9 13 22 11 74 7 0 1 1 −1 2
6 D 65 5 16 21 20 62 16 0 0 0 3 10
5 D 67 2 17 19 10 55 16 2 2 4 −5 14
10 D 47 4 10 14 19 34 16 0 2 2 −4 10
13 C 50 6 7 13 −2 26
20 LW 29 3 8 11 5 18 1 0 0 0 0 0
22 C 82 2 9 11 −1 128 16 1 4 5 5 10
15 RW 19 4 4 8 −3 12 15 0 8 8 1 8
41 LW 19 3 4 7 4 4
37 C 19 3 2 5 −8 2
76 LW 58 1 1 2 −1 125
3 D 5 0 2 2 2 0
36 RW 7 0 2 2 3 21
30 G 63 0 2 2 2 16 0 0 0 2
19 C 2 1 0 1 1 2 16 0 9 9 6 4
25 RW 3 0 1 1 −1 2
43 G 19 0 0 0 25
33 D 4 0 0 0 0 0
35 G 5 0 0 0 2
44 D 2 0 0 0 1 2

Goaltending

Playerscope=colgroup colspan=10 Regular seasonscope=colgroup colspan=9 Playoffs
30 63 40 16 6 1886 168 2.73 .911 2 3692 16 9 7 489 38 2.22 .922 0 1029
43 19 12 4 1 533 54 3.04 .899 0 1066 — — — — — — — — —
35 5 1 2 0 120 13 3.43 .892 0 227 — — — — — — — — —

Awards and records

Awards

TypeAward/honorRecipientRef
League
(annual)		NHL Plus-Minus AwardThomas Vanek[15]
NHL Second All-Star TeamThomas Vanek (Left Wing)[16]
League
(in-season)		NHL All-Star Game selectionDaniel Briere[17]
Brian Campbell
Ryan Miller
Lindy Ruff (coach)
NHL First Star of the MonthRyan Miller (October)[18]
NHL First Star of the WeekMaxim Afinogenov (October 22)[19]
NHL Rookie of the MonthDrew Stafford (March)[20]
NHL YoungStars Game selectionThomas Vanek[21]

Milestones

MilestonePlayerDateRef
First gameDrew StaffordNovember 5, 2006[22]
Mike CardNovember 11, 2006
Michael FunkNovember 18, 2006
Michael RyanNovember 22, 2006
Andrej SekeraDecember 9, 2006
Clarke MacArthurDecember 19, 2006
Patrick KaletaFebruary 22, 2006
Mark MancariFebruary 24, 2006

Transactions

The Sabres were involved in the following transactions from June 20, 2006, the day after the deciding game of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 6, 2007, the day of the deciding game of the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals.[23]

Trades

DateDetailsRef
To Edmonton Oilers
To Buffalo Sabres
[24]
To Vancouver Canucks
To Buffalo Sabres
[25]
To Philadelphia Flyers
To Buffalo Sabres
[26]
To Columbus Blue Jackets
To Buffalo Sabres
[27]
To Washington Capitals
To Buffalo Sabres
[28]
To Nashville Predators
To Buffalo Sabres
[29]

Players acquired

Date Player Former team Term Via Ref
3-year Free agency [30]
Free agency [31]

Players lost

Date Player New team Via Ref
Free agency (III) [32]
Free agency (III) [33]
Free agency (VI) [34]
Free agency (UFA) [35]
DEG Metro Stars (DEL) Free agency (III) [36]
Frankfurt Lions (DEL) Free agency (III) [37]
Release (II) [38]
Free agency (III) [39]
Waivers [40]
Chicago Wolves (AHL) Free agency (UFA) [41]
Eisbaren Berlin (DEL) Free agency (II) [42]
HC Lugano (NLA) Free agency [43]

Signings

Date Player Term Contract type Ref
1-year Re-signing [44]
1-year Re-signing
multi-year Re-signing [45]
1-year Re-signing [46]
1-year Re-signing [47]
1-year Re-signing
3-year Entry-level
multi-year Re-signing [48]
multi-year Re-signing [49]
multi-year Re-signing [50]
multi-year Re-signing
3-year Re-signing [51]
2-year Re-signing [52]
3-year Re-signing [53]
1-year Arbitration award [54]
1-year Arbitration award [55]
2-year Re-signing [56]
3-year Re-signing [57]
Re-signing [58]
Re-signing
Re-signing
Entry-level
3-year Entry-level [59]
3-year Entry-level [60]
3-year Entry-level [61]

Draft picks

Buffalo's picks at the 2006 NHL entry draft in Vancouver, British Columbia.[62] The Sabres had the 24th overall draft pick for their success in the 2005–06 NHL season.

RoundPlayerNationalityNHL teamCollege/junior/club team (league)
124Dennis Persson (D)Buffalo SabresVIK Västerås HK (Allsvenskan)
246Jhonas Enroth (G)Buffalo Sabres (from Vancouver)Södertälje SK (Elitserien)
257Mike Weber (D)Buffalo SabresWindsor Spitfires (OHL)
4117Felix Schutz (C)Buffalo SabresSaint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
5147Alex Biega (D)Buffalo SabresSalisbury School (USHS-CN)
7207Benjamin Breault (C)Buffalo SabresBaie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)

Farm teams

The Rochester Americans were the Buffalo Sabres' farm team during the 2006–07 season.

See also

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: National Hockey League. The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011. 2010 . Triumph Books . 27. 978-1-60078-422-4.
  2. News: Garth . SABRES TOP NHL.COM MERCHANDISE SALES . Hockeybuzz.com . 2006-11-07 . 2014-11-29.
  3. News: Thrashers put an end to Sabres' bid for NHL record start . https://web.archive.org/web/20181216030919/http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=261028002 . dead . December 16, 2018 . . 2006-10-28 . 2007-03-04.
  4. News: Sundin, Maple Leafs hand Sabres first loss in regulation . https://web.archive.org/web/20181215224351/http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=261104002 . dead . December 15, 2018 . . 2006-11-04 . 2007-03-04.
  5. News: Sabres defeat Canes, bump road record to 10–0 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181215235029/http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=261113007 . dead . December 15, 2018 . . 2006-11-13 . 2007-03-04.
  6. News: 2006–07 NHL All-Star Rosters . tsn.ca . 2007-01-09 . 2007-01-15.
  7. News: Ruff, Carlyle to coach All-Star teams . tsn.ca . 2007-01-04 . 2007-01-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070107090003/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=190825&hubname= . 2007-01-07 . live.
  8. News: Briere shines, but West wins All-Star Game . tsn.ca . 2007-01-25 . 2007-01-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929121926/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=193486&hubname= . September 29, 2007 .
  9. News: NHL's bright future is on display . nhl.com . 2007-01-13 . 2007-01-15.
  10. News: Richards nets tiebreaker in Lightning win over Sabres . https://web.archive.org/web/20181216001025/http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=270113002 . dead . December 16, 2018 . . 2007-01-13 . 2007-01-15.
  11. News: Drury leads the Sabres over Bruins . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929160319/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=194540&hubname=nhl . dead . 2007-09-29 . tsn.ca . 2007-02-01 . 2007-02-02.
  12. News: Sabres outlast Sens in hard-fought battle . https://web.archive.org/web/20070926214546/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=197259&hubname= . dead . 2007-09-26 . tsn.ca . 2007-02-23 . 2007-02-28.
  13. News: Sabres beef up with Zubrus . https://archive.today/20070808042627/http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=289720&page=NewsPage&service=page . dead . 2007-08-08 . nhl.com . 2007-02-27 . 2007-02-27.
  14. Web site: 2006-07 NHL Summary.
  15. Web site: Bud Light Plus-Minus Award award winners at hockeydb.com . www.hockeydb.com . August 4, 2024.
  16. Web site: Postseason All-Star Teams . records.nhl.com . August 4, 2024.
  17. Web site: NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 2007 . NHL.com . August 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230417032251/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=28972 . April 17, 2023.
  18. Web site: NHL Three Stars of the Month . Hockey-Reference.com . August 4, 2024.
  19. Web site: NHL Three Stars of the Week . Hockey-Reference.com . August 4, 2024.
  20. Web site: NHL Rookies of the Month . Hockey-Reference.com . August 4, 2024.
  21. Web site: 2006-07 NHL Young Stars Rosters . TSN.ca . August 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070202221737/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=8902&hubname= . February 2, 2007.
  22. Web site: 2006-07 NHL Debuts . Hockey-Reference.com . October 14, 2024.
  23. Web site: Hockey Transactions Search Results . Pro Sports Transactions . September 4, 2024.
  24. Web site: TRANSACTIONS . The New York Times . September 4, 2024 . July 11, 2006 . BUFFALO SABRES - Signed F Andrew Peters to a one-year contract. Traded the rights to D Jan Hejda to the Edmonton Oilers for a 2007 seventh-round draft pick..
  25. Web site: Sports Briefs . The New York Times . September 4, 2024 . July 15, 2006 . Buffalo sent wing Taylor Pyatt to the Vancouver Canucks yesterday in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in next year’s draft..
  26. Web site: Sabres' Biron traded to Philadelphia - UPI.com . UPI . September 4, 2024 . February 27, 2007.
  27. Web site: Sabres add Conklin from Columbus . theahl.com . September 4, 2024 . February 27, 2007.
  28. Web site: Sabres deal Biron, add Caps' Zubrus for playoff run . ESPN.com . September 4, 2024 . February 27, 2007.
  29. Web site: Sabres bolster blue line with Lehtonen, Helbling . theahl.com . September 4, 2024 . February 27, 2007.
  30. Web site: Spacek and Sabres Come to Terms . The New York Times . September 4, 2024 . July 6, 2006.
  31. Web site: Adam Berkhoel . TSN.ca . September 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070511044020/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=4411&hubname=nhl-sabres . May 11, 2007 . 07-Sep-06: Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Buffalo Sabres..
  32. Web site: Blues re-sign captain Drake, ink defenseman McKee . ESPN.com . September 4, 2024 . July 2, 2006.
  33. Web site: McKeon . Ross . Forward march for San Jose / Sharks sign two free agents . SFGate.com . September 4, 2024 . July 4, 2006.
  34. Web site: Falcons’ nest gets additions . theahl.com . September 4, 2024 . July 7, 2006.
  35. Web site: Leighton signs with Ducks . theahl.com . September 4, 2024 . July 13, 2006.
  36. Web site: David Cullen . TSN.ca . September 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071107083747/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2246&hubname=nhl . November 7, 2007 . 17-Jul-06: Signed with the Dusseldorfer EG of the Deutsche Liga (Germany)..
  37. Web site: Chris Taylor . TSN.ca . September 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070509223838/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=971&hubname=nhl . May 9, 2007 . 02-Aug-06: Signed with the Frankfurt Lions of the Deutsche Liga (Germany)..
  38. Web site: Sabres sever ties with RW Dumont, $2.9M award . ESPN.com . September 4, 2024 . August 8, 2006.
  39. Web site: Sports briefs . Deseret News . September 4, 2024 . August 19, 2006 . The Vancouver Canucks signed free agent defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick on Friday..
  40. Web site: PENGUINS CLAIM CHRIS THORBURN OFF WAIVERS FROM BUFFALO . Pittsburgh Penguins . September 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061103234715/http://www.pittsburghpenguins.com/team/press/arts/2052.0.php . November 3, 2006 . October 3, 2006.
  41. Web site: Wolves Shuffle Roster with Additions of Kochan, McMorrow and Insana . OurSports Central . September 4, 2024 . October 4, 2006.
  42. Web site: Jeff Jillson . TSN.ca . September 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061231020222/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=1877&hubname=nhl-sabres . December 31, 2006 . 25-Oct-06: Signed with the Eisbaren Berlin of the Deutsche Liga (Germany)..
  43. Web site: Timo Helbling . TSN.ca . September 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071111031258/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2747&hubname=nhl . November 11, 2007 . 04-Jun-07: Signed with the HC Lugano of the Swiss National League..
  44. Web site: TRANSACTIONS . The New York Times . September 4, 2024 . July 4, 2006 . BUFFALO SABRES--Agreed to terms with D Teppo Numminen on a one-year contract..
  45. Web site: SABRES RE-SIGN FORMER AMERK BRIAN CAMPBELL . Rochester Americans . September 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071027222042/http://www.amerks.com/PressReleases.aspx?news_id=841 . October 27, 2007 . July 11, 2006.
  46. Web site: Sabre re-signs but wants out . Tampa Bay Times . September 4, 2024 . July 14, 2006.
  47. Web site: SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH DEFENSEMAN ANDREJ SEKERA . Rochester Americans . September 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070527013128/http://www.amerks.com/PressReleases.aspx?news_id=845 . May 27, 2007 . July 14, 2006.
  48. Web site: NHL: Tallinder staying with Sabres . Niagara Gazette . September 4, 2024 . July 22, 2006.
  49. Web site: Sports Briefing . The New York Times . September 4, 2024 . July 24, 2006 . The Sabres signed forward Ales Kotalik to a multiyear deal yesterday.
  50. Web site: Transactions . Deseret News . September 4, 2024 . July 28, 2006 . BUFFALO SABRES—Agreed to terms with D Toni Lydman and F Jason Pominville on multiyear contracts..
  51. Web site: Sabres give Connolly healthy raise . ESPN.com . September 4, 2024 . July 29, 2006.
  52. Web site: SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH PAUL GAUSTAD . Rochester Americans . September 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071012071529/http://www.amerks.com/PressReleases.aspx?news_id=852 . October 12, 2007 . July 30, 2006.
  53. Web site: Sabres re-sign Maxim Afinogenov . Niagara Gazette . September 4, 2024 . August 1, 2006.
  54. Web site: Sabres accept Briere arbitration, quelling split talk . ESPN.com . September 4, 2024 . August 3, 2006.
  55. Web site: Sabres' deal with Mair ends long arbitration period . ESPN.com . September 4, 2024 . August 6, 2006.
  56. Web site: SABRES RE-SIGN FORMER AMERK DEFENSEMAN DMITRI KALININ . Rochester Americans . September 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071013110734/http://www.amerks.com/PressReleases.aspx?news_id=864 . October 13, 2007 . August 30, 2006.
  57. Web site: Sabres re-sign goalie Ryan Miller for three years . ESPN.com . September 4, 2024 . September 8, 2006.
  58. Web site: Sports briefs . Deseret News . September 4, 2024 . September 13, 2006 . Center Marek Zagrapan, the Buffalo Sabres' first-round draft pick last year, was among four players signed by the team. Also re-signed were three minor-league forwards, Jiri Novotny, Michael Ryan and Chris Thorburn..
  59. Web site: SABRES SIGN GOALTENDER ADAM DENNIS . Rochester Americans . September 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071011163938/http://www.amerks.com/PressReleases.aspx?news_id=911 . October 11, 2007 . October 12, 2006.
  60. News: Sabres sign Gragnani to entry-level deal . The Buffalo News . June 2, 2007 . 11.
  61. Web site: ACTIVITY . The Globe and Mail . September 4, 2024 . en-CA . June 4, 2007 . Buffalo Sabres--Agreed to terms with F Phillip Gogulla on a three-year contract..
  62. Web site: 2006 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com . www.hockeydb.com . July 22, 2024.

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