2010–11 Buffalo Sabres season explained

League:	NHL
Season:	2010–11
Year:	2010
Team:	Buffalo Sabres
Conferencerank:	7th
Divisionrank:	3rd
Record:	43–29–10
Homerecord:	21–16–4
Roadrecord:	22–13–6
Goalsfor:	245
Goalsagainst:	229
Captain:	Craig Rivet (Oct.–Feb.) Vacant (Feb.–Apr.)
Altcaptain:	Paul Gaustad Jochen Hecht Jason Pominville Derek Roy Thomas Vanek (Feb.–Apr.)
Attendance:	Average: 18,453
Goalsleader:	Thomas Vanek (32)
Assistsleader:	Thomas Vanek (41)
Pointsleader:	Thomas Vanek (73)
Plusminusleader:	Steve Montador (+16)
Pimleader:	Cody McCormick (142)
Winsleader:	Ryan Miller (34)
Gaaleader:	Ryan Miller (2.59)

The 2010–11 Buffalo Sabres season was the 41st season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.^[1] Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, this was the 40th season of play for the franchise and was celebrated as such by the team.

As of 2024, this is the last time the Sabres qualified for postseason play and their last season until 2022 with a winning record.

Off-season

To commemorate the team's 40th anniversary, the Sabres went retro, reverting to their pre-1996 logo and to the design of the first season uniforms (blue with gold and white trim) with a silver trim the team has been using as a third uniform since the 2008–09 season. The new road uniforms would be white with blue and gold trim, similar to the original 1970–71 uniforms; a new third jersey was used paying homage to the AHL Bisons that played in the city prior to 1970. The jersey would come complete with the team's 40th anniversary logo (the current logo with "1970", the team's first season, inside.)

Regular season

Franchise sale

On November 30, 2010, Ken Campbell of The Hockey News reported a story that billionaire Terrence Pegula had signed a letter of intent to purchase the Sabres from owners Tom Golisano, Larry Quinn and Daniel DiPofi for US$150 million. Pegula was the founder, president and CEO of East Resources, one of the largest privately held companies in the United States before selling the company.^[2] After the report was released, Quinn claimed that the report was "untrue" but had refused further comment.^[3] The $150 million was later determined to be an undervalued amount, as Forbes magazine had valued the team at just under $170 million in 2010.

In December 2010, Pegula officially expressed interest in buying the Sabres for $170 million and submitted a letter of intent to the NHL.

In January 2011, Golisano reportedly issued a counteroffer with an asking price of US$175 million.^[4] An agreement between Pegula and Golisano to sell the team was reached on January 29, 2011, with Pegula buying the team for $189 million ($175 million with $14 million in debt included)^[5] ^[6] with the Sabres and Golisano officially making an announcement in a press conference on February 3, 2011.^[7] League owners approved the sale on February 18.^[8] In the conference, it was revealed that an unnamed bidder submitted a much higher bid than Pegula's, but made the bid contingent upon moving the team.^[9] The description is consistent with that of Jim Balsillie, who has made public his efforts to move a team to Hamilton, Ontario, a move that the Sabres have actively opposed. Terry Pegula named former Pittsburgh Penguins executive Ted Black to be the team president.^[10] Pegula was introduced as the Sabres' owner in a public ceremony at HSBC Arena on February 23, accompanied by what would be the final appearance of all three members of The French Connection line before Rick Martin's death three weeks later.

Conference standings

Schedule and results

Pre-season

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 1 || September 25 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 1-3 || Buffalo Sabres || || Miller || 1-0-0 || https://web.archive.org/web/20120312072524/http://sabres.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2010010046|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2 || September 27 || Buffalo Sabres || 4-5 || Toronto Maple Leafs || || Enroth || 1-1-0 || https://web.archive.org/web/20120312072528/http://sabres.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2010010053|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 3 || September 28 (in Dundas, Ontario) || Buffalo Sabres || 2-1 || Ottawa Senators || || Miller || 2-1-0 || https://web.archive.org/web/20120312072531/http://sabres.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2010010057|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 4 || September 30 || Buffalo Sabres || 5-3 || Montreal Canadiens || || Enroth || 3-1-0 || https://web.archive.org/web/20120312072535/http://sabres.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2010010073|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 5 || October 1 || Buffalo Sabres || 1-3 || Philadelphia Flyers || || Miller || 3-2-0 || https://web.archive.org/web/20120312072540/http://sabres.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2010010078|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 6 || October 3 || Philadelphia Flyers || 3-9 || Buffalo Sabres || || Miller || 4-2-0 || https://web.archive.org/web/20120312072546/http://sabres.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2010010098|-

Game log

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 1 || 8 || @ Ottawa Senators || 2-1 || Miller || Scotiabank Place/19,350 || 1-0-0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2 || 9 || New York Rangers || 3-6 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 1-1-0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3 || 11 || Chicago Blackhawks || 3-4 || Miller || HSBC Arena/17,896 || 1-2-0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"| 4 || 13 || New Jersey Devils || 0-1 (OT) || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 1-2-1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 5 || 15 || Montreal Canadiens || 1-2 || Miller || HSBC Arena/17,264 || 1-3-1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 6 || 16 || @ Chicago Blackhawks || 3-4 || Lalime || United Center/21,293 || 1-4-1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 7 || 20 || @ Atlanta Thrashers || 4-1 || Miller || Philips Arena/8,820 || 2-4-1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 8 || 22 || Ottawa Senators || 2-4 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,009 || 2-5-1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 9 || 23 || @ New Jersey Devils || 6-1 || Miller || Prudential Center/14,228 || 3-5-1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 10 || 26 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 3-6 || Miller || Wells Fargo Center/19,361 || 3-6-1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"| 11 || 29 || @ Atlanta Thrashers || 3-4 (OT) || Miller || Philips Arena/10,172 || 3-6-2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 12 || 30 || @ Dallas Stars || 0-4 || Lalime || American Airlines Center/15,015 || 3-7-2|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 13 || 3 || Boston Bruins || 2-5 || Enroth || HSBC Arena/18,428 || 3-8-2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 14 || 5 || Montreal Canadiens || 2-3 || Lalime || HSBC Arena/18,026 || 3-9-2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 15 || 6 || @ Toronto Maple Leafs || 3-2 (SO) || Enroth || Air Canada Centre/19,329 || 4-9-2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 16 || 10 || @ New Jersey Devils || 5-4 (SO) || Enroth || Prudential Center/14,566 || 5-9-2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"| 17 || 11 || @ New York Rangers || 2-3 (OT) || Enroth || Madison Square Garden/17,848 || 5-9-3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 18 || 13 || Washington Capitals || 3-2 (OT) || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 6-9-3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 19 || 15 || Vancouver Canucks || 4-3 (OT) || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 7-9-3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 20 || 17 || @ Washington Capitals || 2-4 || Miller || Verizon Center/18,398 || 7-10-3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 21 || 19 || Los Angeles Kings || 4-2 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,418 || 8-10-3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 22 || 20 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 1-2 || Lalime || HSBC Arena/17,833 || 8-11-3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 23 || 24 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0-1 || Enroth || HSBC Arena/18,250 || 8-12-3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 24 || 26 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 3-1 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,004 || 9-12-3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 25 || 27 || @ Montreal Canadiens || 1-3 || Miller || Bell Centre/21,273 || 9-13-3|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 26 || 3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 5-0 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,529 || 10-13-3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 27 || 4 || @ Ottawa Senators || 1-0 (SO) || Miller || Scotiabank Place/16,364 || 11-13-3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"| 28 || 7 || @ Boston Bruins || 2-3 (OT) || Miller || TD Garden/17,565 || 11-13-4|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 29 || 9 || San Jose Sharks || 6-3 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,017 || 12-13-4|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 30 || 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2-5 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 12-14-4|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 31 || 15 || Boston Bruins || 3-2 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,197 || 13-14-4|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 32 || 17 || @ Florida Panthers || 2-6 || Miller || BankAtlantic Center/16,894 || 13-15-4|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 33 || 18 || @ Tampa Bay Lightning || 1-3 || Miller || St. Pete Times Forum/17,141 || 13-16-4|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 34 || 21 || Anaheim Ducks || 5-2 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 14-16-4|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 35 || 23 || Florida Panthers || 3-4 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 14-17-4|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 36 || 27 || @ Calgary Flames || 2-5 || Miller || Pengrowth Saddledome/19,289 || 14-18-4|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 37 || 28 || @ Edmonton Oilers || 4-2 || Miller || Rexall Place/16,839 || 15-18-4|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 38 || 1 || Boston Bruins || 7-6 (SO) || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 16-18-4|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"| 39 || 4 || @ Colorado Avalanche || 3-4 (OT) || Miller || Pepsi Center/12,548 || 16-18-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 40 || 6 || @ San Jose Sharks || 3-0 || Miller || HP Pavilion/17,562 || 17-18-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 41 || 8 || @ Phoenix Coyotes || 2-1 || Miller || Jobing.com Arena/13,905 || 18-18-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 42 || 11 || Philadelphia Flyers || 2-5 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,155 || 18-19-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 43 || 13 || Carolina Hurricanes || 3-2 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,276 || 19-19-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 44 || 15 || @ New York Islanders || 3-5 || Miller || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum/12,223 || 19-20-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 45 || 18 || Montreal Canadiens || 4-2 || Miller || HSBC Arena/17,565 || 20-20-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 46 || 20 || @ Boston Bruins || 2-1 (OT) || Miller || TD Garden/18,225 || 21-20-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 47 || 21 || New York Islanders || 2-5 || Lalime || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 21-21-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 48 || 23 || @ New York Islanders || 5-3 || Miller || Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum/10,120 || 22-21-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 49 || 25 || @ Ottawa Senators || 3-2 (OT) || Miller || Scotiabank Place/18,990 || 23-21-5|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 50 || 4 || @ Pittsburgh Penguins || 2-3 || Miller || Consol Energy Center/18,315 || 23-22-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 51 || 5 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 6-2 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,264 || 24-22-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 52 || 8 || @ Tampa Bay Lightning || 7-4 || Miller || St. Pete Times Forum/14,444 || 25-22-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 53 || 10 || @ Florida Panthers || 3-2 (OT) || Miller || BankAtlantic Center/14,559 || 26-22-5|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd" | 54 || 13 || New York Islanders || 6-7 (OT) || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 26-22-6|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 55 || 15 || @ Montreal Canadiens || 3-2 (SO) || Enroth || Bell Centre/21,273 || 27-22-6|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 56 || 16 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 1-2 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,414 || 27-23-6|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 57 || 18 || St. Louis Blues || 0-3 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,493 || 27-24-6|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 58 || 20 || Washington Capitals || 1-2 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 27-25-6|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 59 || 23 || Atlanta Thrashers || 4-1 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 28-25-6|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 60 || 25 || Ottawa Senators || 4-2 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 29-25-6|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"| 61 || 26 || Detroit Red Wings || 2-3 (SO) || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 29-25-7|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 62 || 1 || @ New York Rangers || 3-2 || Miller || Madison Square Garden/18,200 || 30-25-7|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"| 63 || 3 || @ Carolina Hurricanes || 2-3 (OT) || Miller || RBC Center/15,213 || 30-25-8|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 64 || 5 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 5-3 || Miller || Wells Fargo Center/19,901 || 31-25-8|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 65 || 6 || @ Minnesota Wild || 3-2 || Enroth || Xcel Energy Center/18,091 || 32-25-8|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 66 || 8 || @ Pittsburgh Penguins || 1-3 || Miller || Consol Energy Center/18,314 || 32-26-8|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 67 || 10 || @ Boston Bruins || 4-3 (OT) || Miller || TD Garden/17,565 || 33-26-8|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 68 || 12 || @ Toronto Maple Leafs || 3-4 || Miller || Air Canada Centre/19,347 || 33-27-8|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 69 || 13 || Ottawa Senators || 6-4 || Enroth || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 34-27-8|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 70 || 15 || Carolina Hurricanes || 0-1 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 34-28-8|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 71 || 19 || Atlanta Thrashers || 8-2 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 35-28-8|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"| 72 || 20 || Nashville Predators || 3-4 (OT) || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 35-28-9|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 73 || 22 || @ Montreal Canadiens || 2-0 || Miller || Bell Centre/21,273 || 36-28-9|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 74 || 25 || Florida Panthers || 4-2 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 37-28-9|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 75 || 26 || New Jersey Devils || 2-0 || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 38-28-9|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 76 || 29 || @ Toronto Maple Leafs || 3-4 || Miller || Air Canada Centre/19,483 || 38-29-9|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 77 || 30 || New York Rangers || 1-0 || Enroth || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 39-29-9|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"| 78 || 2 || @ Washington Capitals || 4-5 (OT) || Enroth || Verizon Center/18,398 || 39-29-10|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 79 || 3 || @ Carolina Hurricanes || 2-1 (OT) || Enroth || RBC Center/18,740 || 40-29-10|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 80 || 5 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 4-2 || Enroth || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 41-29-10|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 81 || 8 || Philadelphia Flyers || 4-3 (OT) || Miller || HSBC Arena/18,690 || 42-29-10|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 82 || 9 || @ Columbus Blue Jackets || 5-4 || Enroth || Nationwide Arena/18,717 || 43-29-10|-|-| 2010-2011 Schedule

Playoffs

The Sabres qualified for the playoffs and played the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The Sabres–Flyers series marked the ninth time, and first since 2006, the teams have met in the playoffs, most of any Sabres opponent. The Flyers lead the match-up four series to three. This series was the first time a Sabres–Flyers series has gone seven games.

Playoff log

|- style="background:#CCFFCC"|1|| April 14 || Buffalo Sabres || 1–0 || Philadelphia Flyers || || None || Kaleta || Miller || 19,929|| 1-0 || http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010030121&navid=sb:recap|- style="background:#FFBBBB"|2|| April 16 || Buffalo Sabres || 4–5 || Philadelphia Flyers || || Briere, Carcillo, Giroux, Leino, van Riemsdyk || Vanek (2), McCormick, Sekera || Miller || 19,942 || 1–1 || https://www.espn.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=310416002|- style="background:#FFBBBB"|3|| April 18 || Philadelphia Flyers || 4–2 || Buffalo Sabres || || Carter, Briere, Zherdev, Timonen|| Stafford, Gerbe || Miller || 18,690|| 1-2 || http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010030123|- style="background:#CCFFCC"|4|| April 20 || Philadelphia Flyers ||0–1 || Buffalo Sabres || || None || Pominville || Miller || 18,690 || 2-2 || http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010030124|- style="background:#CCFFCC"|5|| April 22 || Buffalo Sabres || 4–3 OT || Philadelphia Flyers || 5:31 || van Riemsdyk, Meszaros, Briere || Ennis (2), Vanek, Gragnani || Miller || 19,959 || 3-2 || http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010030125|- style="background:#FFBBBB"|6|| April 24 || Philadelphia Flyers || 5–4 OT || Buffalo Sabres || 4:43 || Briere (2), van Riemsdyk, Hartnell, Leino || Niedermayer, Vanek (2), Gerbe || Miller || 18,690 || 3-3 || http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010030126|- style="background:#FFBBBB"|7|| April 26 || Buffalo Sabres || 2–5 || Philadelphia Flyers || || Coburn, Briere, Giroux, Leino, Carcillo || Myers, Boyes || Miller ||19,959 ||3-4 ||http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010030127|-| Scorer of game-winning goal in italics
*Denotes if necessary

Player statistics

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA= Goals against average; SA= Shots against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save percentage; SO= Shutouts

^†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Sabres. Stats reflect time with Sabres only.
^‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Sabres only.

Awards and records

Awards

Player	Award	Awarded
Regular Season
Ryan Miller^[11]	NHL Second Star of the Week	December 6, 2010
Drew Stafford^[12]	NHL Second Star of the Week	February 14, 2011
Andrej Sekera^[13]	NHL Second Star of the Week	March 7, 2011
Ryan Miller^[14]	NHL First Star of the Week	March 28, 2011
Jhonas Enroth^[15]	NHL Third Star of the Week	April 4, 2011
Thomas Vanek^[16]	NHL First Star of the Week	April 11, 2011

Milestones

Player	Milestone	Reached
Regular Season
	700th Career NHL Game	October 11, 2010
	1st Career NHL Game	October 26, 2010
	200th Career NHL Game	October 29, 2010
	400th Career NHL Game	October 29, 2010
	1,000th Career NHL Game	November 3, 2010
	1st Career NHL Win	November 6, 2010
	100th Career NHL Assist	November 6, 2010
Lindy Ruff (coach)	1,000th Career NHL Game Coached^[17]	November 10, 2010
	100th Career NHL Point	November 13, 2010
	100th Career NHL Game	November 13, 2010
	1,100th Career NHL Game	November 15, 2010
	900th Career NHL Game	November 20, 2010
	400th Career NHL Game	November 24, 2010
Luke Adam	1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point	November 26, 2010
Luke Adam	1st Career NHL Goal	December 7, 2010
	1st Career NHL Goal^[18]	December 28, 2010
	200th Career NHL Win	December 28, 2010
Lindy Ruff	500th Career NHL Win (coach)	January 6, 2011
	200th Career NHL Game	January 15, 2011
Thomas Vanek	200th Career NHL Goal	January 20, 2011
	1st Career NHL Game 1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point	January 23, 2011
Paul Byron	1st Career NHL Goal	January 25, 2011
Jason Pominville	200th Career NHL Assist	January 25, 2011
	600th Career NHL Game	February 15, 2011
	400th Career NHL Game	February 20, 2011
Steve Montador	500th Career NHL Game	February 23, 2011
	200th Career NHL Game	March 1, 2011
	300th Career NHL Game	March 3, 2011
Jordan Leopold	500th Career NHL Game	March 10, 2011
Jhonas Enroth	1st Career NHL Shutout	March 30, 2011
	1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point	March 30, 2011
Thomas Vanek	200th Career NHL Goal	April 2, 2011
Marc-Andre Gragnani	1st Career NHL Goal	April 3, 2011
Drew Stafford	100th Career NHL Assist	April 3, 2011
	200th Career NHL Game	April 8, 2011
Paul Gaustad	100th Career NHL Assist	April 9, 2011

Player	Milestone	Reached
Playoffs
	1st Career NHL Playoff Game	April 14, 2011
	1st Career NHL Playoff Game 1st Career NHL Playoff Assist 1st Career NHL Playoff Point	April 14, 2011
	1st Career NHL Playoff Game	April 14, 2011
	1st Career NHL Playoff Goal	April 16, 2011
	1st Career NHL Playoff Goal 1st Career NHL Playoff Point	April 16, 2011
Marc-Andre Gragnani	1st Career NHL Playoff Goal	April 22, 2011
	1st Career NHL Playoff Assist	April 22, 2011
Mike Weber	1st Career NHL Playoff Assist 1st Career NHL Playoff Point	April 22, 2011
Chris Butler	1st Career NHL Playoff Assist 1st Career NHL Playoff Point	April 24, 2011
	100th Career NHL Playoff Game	April 24, 2011
	1st Career NHL Playoff Game	April 26, 2011
	1st Career NHL Playoff Game	April 26, 2011

Transactions

The Sabres have been involved in the following transactions during the 2010–11 season.

Free agents acquired

Player	Former team	Contract terms
Jordan Leopold^[20]		3 years, $9 million
Rob Niedermayer^[21]		1 year, $1.15 million
Tim Conboy^[22]		1 year, $550,000
Dennis McCauley^[23]		1 year, $500,000
Shaone Morrisonn^[24]		2 years, $4.15 million
Colin Stuart^[25]		1 year, $550,000
Mark Parrish^[26]		1 year, $600,000
David Leggio^[27]		1 year, $500,000

Free agents lost

Player	New team	Contract terms
Henrik Tallinder^[28]		4 years, $13.5 million
Toni Lydman^[29]		3 years, $9 million
Raffi Torres^[30]		1 year, $1 million
Tim Kennedy^[31]		1 year, $550,000
Adam Mair^[32]		1 year, $515,000

Player signings

Player	Contract terms
Nick Crawford^[34]	3 years, $1.715 million entry-level contract
Mike Grier^[35]	1 year, $1.4 million
Alex Biega^[36]	2 years, $1.055 million entry-level contract
Jacob Lagace^[37]	3 years, $1.675 million entry-level contract
Cody McCormick^[38]	1 year, $500,000
Corey Tropp^[39]	3 years, $1.76 million entry-level contract
Mike Weber^[40]	1 year, $550,000
Patrick Lalime^[41]	1 year, $600,000
Derek Whitmore^[42]	1 year, $550,000
Patrick Kaleta^[43]	2 years, $1.815 million
Marc-Andre Gragnani^[44]	1 year, $500,000
Mark Mancari^[45]	1 year, $575,000
Matt Ellis^[46]	1 year, $625,000
Zack Kassian^[47]	3 years, $2.7 million entry-level contract
Lindy Ruff (coach)^[48]	multi-year contract extension

Draft selections

The 2010 NHL Entry Draft was held June 25–26, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

2010 NHL Entry Draft Results – Buffalo Sabres
Round	Overall Pick	Player	Nationality	Position	Team from	League from
1	23
3	68 (from Atlanta)			D		QMJHL
3	75 (from Boston)					WHL
3	83			D		WHL
4	98 (from Atlanta)	Steven Shipley		C		OHL
5	143	Gregg Sutch				OHL
6	173	Cedrick Henley				QMJHL
7	203	Christian Isackson		RW		USHS-MN
7	208 (from San Jose)	Riley Boychuk		LW		WHL

Farm teams

Portland Pirates

The Portland Pirates remain Buffalo's top affiliate in the American Hockey League in 2010–11.

Notes and References

Book: National Hockey League. The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011. 2010 . Triumph Books . 27. 978-1-60078-422-4.
Web site: Ken Campbell's blog: THN.com Blog: Explaining the potential Sabres sale . The Hockey News . March 16, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110717004842/http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/36744-THNcom-Blog-Explaining-the-potential-Sabres-sale.html . July 17, 2011 . dead . mdy-all .
Web site: Luke Moretti Posted by: Emily Lenihan . Report: Billionaire aims to buy Sabres . WIVB.com . March 16, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110109132000/http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/Report-Billionaire-aims-to-buy-Sabres . January 9, 2011 .
Web site: Sabres Edge – Blogs – The Buffalo News . Blogs.buffalonews.com . December 1, 2010 . March 16, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101206010307/http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2010/12/sabres-price-tag-175-million.html . December 6, 2010 . dead . mdy-all .
Web site: Sources: Buffalo Sabres will announce agreement on sale to Terry Pegula – ESPN . . January 31, 2011 . March 16, 2011.
Web site: John Vogl . Last minute of play in the Golisano era – Sabres & NHL . The Buffalo News . February 3, 2011 . March 16, 2011.
Web site: Mike Harrington . Golisano expresses interest in Bills – Sports . The Buffalo News . March 16, 2011.
Web site: JOHN WAWROW,AP Sports Writer . Pegula set to take over Sabres . Wivb.com . March 16, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110220054717/http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/NHL-approves-sale-of-Sabres-to-Pegula . February 20, 2011 .
http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/Golisano-turned-down-higher-bid-for-Sabres Golisano turned down higher bid for Sabres
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabres-nhl/article349065.ece Team looking forward to executive decisions
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=545505 Crosby tops NHL's 'Three Stars of the Week'
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=552652 Isles' Grabner tops NHL's 'Three Stars of the Week'
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=555233 Iginla leads NHL's 'Three Stars of the Week'
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=557435 Ryan Miller tops 'Three Stars' of the week
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=558207 Corey Perry tops 'Three Stars' of the week
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=559202 Thomas Vanek tops 'Three Stars' of the week
Web site: Ruff's 1,000th game as Sabres coach a winning one, Enroth leads Buffalo in SO. The Hockey News. November 10, 2010. November 11, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20120313032634/http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/36296-Lindy-Ruff-is-a-winner-in-his-1000th-game-as-the-Buffalo-Sabres-coach.html. March 13, 2012. dead.
Web site: Sabres defeat Oilers . December 28, 2010 . December 19, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110217081225/http://sabres.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2010020542 . February 17, 2011 .
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=554423 BUFFALO SABRES ACQUIRE BRAD BOYES FROM ST. LOUIS
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533530 SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH DEFENSEMAN JORDAN LEOPOLD
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533938 SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH ROB NIEDERMAYER
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534506 SABRES SIGN TIM CONBOY
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535228 SABRES SIGN MCCAULEY
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535370 SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH SHAONE MORRISONN
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=536461 SABRES SIGN FORWARD COLIN STUART
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=539770 SABRES SIGN PARRISH, LOAN HIM TO THE PIRATES
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=543324 SABRES SIGN GOALTENDER DAVID LEGGIO
http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533520 Devils sign D Tallinder and Volchenkov
http://ducks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533497 Ducks Sign Lydman to 3-year Deal
http://canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=536357 Canucks sign forward Raffi Torres
http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=536599 Rangers, Kennedy agree to terms
http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=540329 Devils sign Mair, assign Leblond to AHL
http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=554262 Columbus Blue Jackets Claim Defenseman Craig Rivet Off Waivers from the Buffalo Sabres
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=528307 SABRES SIGN NICK CRAWFORD
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=529430 SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH FORWARD MIKE GRIER
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=530205 SABRES SIGN ALEX BIEGA
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=530692 SABRES SIGN JACOB LAGACE
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533705 SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH McCORMICK
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533850 SABRES SIGN 2007 DRAFT PICK COREY TROPP
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533930 BUFFALO’S MIKE WEBER SIGNS QUALIFYING OFFER
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=533972 SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH PATRICK LALIME
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534355 SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH WHITMORE
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534753 SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH PAT KALETA
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535597 SABRES RE-SIGN GRAGNANI
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=535873 SABRES SIGN MARK MANCARI
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=536680 SABRES RE-SIGN FORWARD MATT ELLIS
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=542232 SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH 2009 FIRST-ROUND PICK ZACK KASSIAN
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=561488 SABRES SIGN HEAD COACH LINDY RUFF TO MULTI-YEAR DEAL