2005–06 Buffalo Sabres season

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2005–06 Buffalo Sabres
Division2nd Northeast
Conference4th Eastern
2005–06 record52–24–6
Home record27–11–3
Road record25–13–3
Goals for281
Goals against239
Team information
General managerDarcy Regier
CoachLindy Ruff
CaptainDaniel Briere and
Chris Drury
Alternate captainsMike Grier
Jochen Hecht
Jay McKee
ArenaHSBC Arena
Average attendance16,886
Minor league affiliate(s)Rochester Americans
Team leaders
GoalsChris Drury (30)
AssistsMaxim Afinogenov (51)
PointsMaxim Afinogenov (73)
Penalty minutesAndrew Peters (100)
Plus/minusDmitri Kalinin (+14)
WinsRyan Miller (30)
Goals against averageRyan Miller (2.60)

The 2005–06 Buffalo Sabres season was the 36th season of operation, 35th season of play, for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.[1] The season not only saw the team qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 2000–01 season, but saw them advance to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals before losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes.

After starting the season 7–8–0 through their first 15 games by November 9, 2005, the Sabres were sitting in fifth place in the Northeast Division and were trailing the Northeast Division-leading Ottawa Senators by 11 points. The Sabres then went on to have only eight regulation losses out of their next 50 games; by March 16, 2006, they had improved to 44–16–5 to move within one point of the Northeast Division-leading Senators. Despite having only two players to play all 82 games (Ales Kotalik and Henrik Tallinder), Buffalo would finish the season with a 52–24–6 record for 110 points and a fourth-place finish heading into the playoffs. The season was the first 100–point season in 23 years and tied the 1979–80 club for the second-best point total in franchise history. The Sabres were one of five teams to reach the century mark in power-play goals during the regular season, scoring 101.[2] The Sabres also finished with 25 road wins, another franchise record.

The Sabres were recognized on June 22, 2006, at the NHL Awards Ceremony, when Lindy Ruff edged Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette to win the Jack Adams Award as Coach of the Year in the closest vote in the award's history. Ruff was the second Sabres coach to win the award.

Regular season[edit]

On January 14, 2006, the Sabres defeated the Los Angeles Kings at home by a score of 10–1.[3] Jochen Hecht and Jason Pominville each had hat-tricks in the game. It was the first time that the Sabres had scored 10 goals in a regular-season game since February 24, 1993, when they defeated the Detroit Red Wings at home by a score of 10–7.[4]

Season standings[edit]

Northeast Division
No. CR GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 1 Ottawa Senators 82 52 21 9 314 211 113
2 4 Buffalo Sabres 82 52 24 6 281 239 110
3 7 Montreal Canadiens 82 42 31 9 243 247 93
4 9 Toronto Maple Leafs 82 41 33 8 257 270 90
5 13 Boston Bruins 82 29 37 16 230 266 74

[5] Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime/Shootout loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

Eastern Conference[6]
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 Z- Ottawa Senators NE 82 52 21 9 314 211 113
2 Y- Carolina Hurricanes SE 82 52 22 8 294 260 112
3 Y- New Jersey Devils AT 82 46 27 9 242 229 101
4 X- Buffalo Sabres NE 82 52 24 6 242 239 110
5 X- Philadelphia Flyers AT 82 45 26 11 267 259 101
6 X- New York Rangers AT 82 44 26 12 257 215 100
7 X- Montreal Canadiens NE 82 42 31 9 243 247 93
8 X- Tampa Bay Lightning SE 82 43 33 6 252 260 92
8.5
9 Toronto Maple Leafs NE 82 41 33 8 257 270 90
10 Atlanta Thrashers SE 82 41 33 8 281 275 90
11 Florida Panthers SE 82 37 34 11 240 257 85
12 New York Islanders AT 82 36 40 6 230 278 78
13 Boston Bruins NE 82 29 37 16 230 266 74
14 Washington Capitals SE 82 29 41 12 237 306 70
15 Pittsburgh Penguins AT 82 22 46 14 244 316 58

Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast

Z – Clinched Conference; Y – Clinched Division; X – Clinched Playoff spot


Playoffs[edit]

Main article: 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs

The Buffalo Sabres earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Buffalo defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in the first-round of the 2006 playoffs in six games. In the second round, the Sabres defeated top-seeded Ottawa in five games. A total of three victories in the series came in overtime, including the series-clinching Game 5, which was won on a short-handed goal by Jason Pominville to send Buffalo to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. It was the first time in NHL history that a series had been decided on a short-handed overtime goal.

Despite being without some or all of their four top defensemen (Teppo Numminen, Dmitri Kalinin, Jay McKee and Henrik Tallinder), and their top powerplay scorer, Tim Connolly, who had 11 points in eight games in the playoffs, for much of the series, the Sabres fought back from a three-games-to-two deficit to force a seventh game by way of a 2–1 overtime win in Game 6. Buffalo led the Hurricanes 2–1 going into the final period of the deciding game but blew the lead early in the third and gave up two more late goals for a 4–2 final score.

Schedule and results[edit]

Regular season[edit]

2005–06 regular season[7]
October: 7–4–0 (home: 4–1–0; road: 3–3–0)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
1 October 5 NY Islanders 4 – 6 Buffalo Miller 15,702 1–0–0 2 Recap
2 October 7 Boston 1 – 4 Buffalo Miller 13,771 2–0–0 4 Recap
3 October 8 Buffalo 0 – 5 Ottawa Miller 19,661 2–1–0 4 Recap
4 October 10 Pittsburgh 2 – 3 Buffalo OT Miller 12,050 3–1–0 6 Recap
5 October 13 Buffalo 4 – 3 Tampa Bay SO Miller 20,184 4–1–0 8 Recap
6 October 15 Buffalo 2 – 3 Florida Miller 17,426 4–2–0 8 Recap
7 October 20 Buffalo 4 – 3 Boston Miller 14,525 5–2–0 10 Recap
8 October 22 NY Rangers 1 – 3 Buffalo Miller 16,346 6–2–0 12 Recap
9 October 26 Washington 3 – 2 Buffalo Miller 8,552 6–3–0 12 Recap
10 October 28 Buffalo 2 – 3 New Jersey Miller 12,378 6–4–0 12 Recap
11 October 29 Buffalo 6 – 4 NY Islanders Biron 13,226 7–4–0 14 Recap
November: 8–5–1 (home: 4–3–1; road: 4–2–0)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
12 November 2 Ottawa 10 – 4 Buffalo Noronen 13,905 7–5–0 14 Recap
13 November 4 Montreal 3 – 2 Buffalo Biron 18,690 7–6–0 14 Recap
14 November 5 Buffalo 2 – 3 Montreal Biron 21,273 7–7–0 14 Recap
15 November 9 Carolina 5 – 3 Buffalo Biron 13,106 7–8–0 14 Recap
16 November 11 Toronto 2 – 5 Buffalo Biron 18,690 8–8–0 16 Recap
17 November 12 Buffalo 1 – 6 Ottawa Biron 19,414 8–9–0 16 Recap
18 November 15 New Jersey 1 – 4 Buffalo Biron 13,022 9–9–0 18 Recap
19 November 17 Washington 5 – 8 Buffalo Biron 12,471 10–9–0 20 Recap
20 November 19 Buffalo 3 – 2 Boston Noronen 17,565 11–9–0 22 Recap
21 November 22 NY Rangers 3 – 2 Buffalo SO Biron 16,018 11–9–1 23 Recap
22 November 23 Buffalo 4 – 3 NY Islanders SO Biron 13,212 12–9–1 25 Recap
23 November 25 Montreal 1 – 3 Buffalo Biron 16,009 13–9–1 27 Recap
24 November 27 Buffalo 3 – 2 Washington Biron 11,658 14–9–1 29 Recap
25 November 29 Buffalo 3 – 2 Pittsburgh Biron 15,118 15–9–1 31 Recap
December: 11–2–1 (home: 5–1–0; road: 6–1–1)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
26 December 1 Buffalo 3 – 2 Montreal OT Biron 21,274 16–9–1 33 Recap
27 December 2 San Jose 5 – 0 Buffalo Noronen 18,007 16–10–1 33 Recap
28 December 4 Buffalo 6 – 4 Colorado Biron 18,007 17–10–1 35 Recap
29 December 8 Anaheim 2 – 3 Buffalo OT Biron 12,504 18–10–1 37 Recap
30 December 11 Buffalo 3 – 2 Minnesota Biron 18,568 19–10–1 39 Recap
31 December 14 Dallas 3 – 4 Buffalo Biron 16,575 20–10–1 41 Recap
32 December 16 Buffalo 4 – 3 Pittsburgh OT Biron 16,648 21–10–1 43 Recap
33 December 17 Pittsburgh 3 – 4 Buffalo Biron 18,690 22–10–1 45 Recap
34 December 19 Buffalo 2 – 1 Philadelphia SO Miller 19,572 23–10–1 47 Recap
35 December 22 Buffalo 1 – 4 Florida Biron 17,823 23–11–1 47 Recap
36 December 23 Buffalo 4 – 1 Tampa Bay Miller 21,120 24–11–1 49 Recap
37 December 26 NY Islanders 3 – 6 Buffalo Miller 18,690 25–11–1 51 Recap
38 December 29 Buffalo 3 – 4 Toronto SO Biron 19,364 25–11–2 52 Recap
39 December 30 Atlanta 1 – 4 Buffalo Miller 18,690 26–11–2 54 Recap
January: 6–4–1 (home: 2–2–1; road: 4–2–0)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
40 January 1 Florida 2 – 1 Buffalo Miller 18,690 26–12–2 54 Recap
41 January 5 Tampa Bay 1 – 3 Buffalo Miller 18,032 27–12–2 56 Recap
42 January 7 New Jersey 3 – 2 Buffalo Miller 18,690 27–13–2 56 Recap
43 January 12 Phoenix 2 – 1 Buffalo SO Biron 18,690 27–13–3 57 Recap
44 January 14 Los Angeles 1 – 10 Buffalo Miller 18,690 28–13–3 59 Recap
45 January 16 Buffalo 3 – 1 Edmonton Miller 16,839 29–13–3 61 Recap
46 January 19 Buffalo 1 – 4 Vancouver Miller 18,630 29–14–3 61 Recap
47 January 21 Buffalo 1 – 4 Calgary Biron 19,289 29–15–3 61 Recap
48 January 24 Buffalo 2 – 1 NY Rangers Miller 18,200 30–15–3 63 Recap
49 January 26 Buffalo 8 – 4 Toronto Miller 19,477 31–15–3 65 Recap
50 January 31 Buffalo 5 – 2 Atlanta Miller 14,021 32–15–3 67 Recap
February: 4–0–2 (home: 3–0–1; road: 1–0–1)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
51 February 2 Philadelphia 2 – 4 Buffalo Miller 18,690 33–15–3 69 Recap
52 February 4 Ottawa 1 – 2 Buffalo SO Miller 17,451 34–15–3 71 Recap
53 February 7 Buffalo 3 – 2 Montreal OT Miller 21,273 35–15–3 73 Recap
54 February 9 Montreal 3 – 2 Buffalo OT Miller 17,344 35–15–4 74 Recap
55 February 11 Florida 3 – 5 Buffalo Miller 18,690 36–15–4 76 Recap
56 February 12 Buffalo 3 – 4 Carolina SO Miller 18,730 36–15–5 77 Recap
March: 9–7–1 (home: 6–3–0; road: 3–4–1)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
57 March 1 Atlanta 4 – 2 Buffalo Miller 18,690 36–16–5 77 Recap
58 March 3 Toronto 2 – 6 Buffalo Miller 18,690 37–16–5 79 Recap
59 March 4 Buffalo 3 – 2 Boston Biron 16,065 38–16–5 81 Recap
60 March 7 Boston 2 – 3 Buffalo Miller 18,117 39–16–5 83 Recap
61 March 9 Tampa Bay 5 – 8 Buffalo Miller 17,934 40–16–5 85 Recap
62 March 11 Buffalo 6 – 5 Philadelphia Biron 19,717 41–16–5 87 Recap
63 March 12 Boston 2 – 6 Buffalo Biron 18,690 42–16–5 89 Recap
64 March 14 Buffalo 6 – 4 Washington Miller 14,386 43–16–5 91 Recap
65 March 16 Toronto 1 – 3 Buffalo Miller 18,690 44–16–5 93 Recap
66 March 18 Buffalo 2 – 4 Ottawa Miller 19,947 44–17–5 93 Recap
67 March 20 Buffalo 0 – 5 Atlanta Biron 14,133 44–18–5 93 Recap
68 March 22 Carolina 4 – 3 Buffalo Miller 18,690 44–19–5 93 Recap
69 March 24 Ottawa 3 – 1 Buffalo Miller 18,690 44–20–5 93 Recap
70 March 25 Buffalo 4 – 5 Boston Miller 15,710 44–21–5 93 Recap
71 March 27 Buffalo 4 – 5 NY Rangers SO Miller 18,200 44–21–6 94 Recap
72 March 29 Boston 3 – 4 Buffalo Miller 16,261 45–21–6 96 Recap
73 March 30 Buffalo 1 – 3 New Jersey Biron 12,425 45–22–6 96 Recap
April: 7–2–0 (home: 3–1–0; road: 4–1–0)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Points Recap
74 April 1 Buffalo 0 – 7 Toronto Miller 19,434 45–23–6 96 Recap
75 April 3 Buffalo 3 – 2 Toronto SO Biron 19,320 46–23–6 98 Recap
76 April 5 Ottawa 4 – 5 Buffalo OT Biron 17,622 47–23–6 100 Recap
77 April 7 Philadelphia 4 – 2 Buffalo Miller 16,909 47–24–6 100 Recap
78 April 8 Buffalo 6 – 2 Ottawa Miller 19,575 48–24–6 102 Recap
79 April 12 Montreal 1 – 3 Buffalo Miller 18,201 49–24–6 104 Recap
80 April 15 Buffalo 4 – 2 Montreal Miller 21,273 50–24–6 106 Recap
81 April 16 Toronto 0 – 6 Buffalo Miller 18,690 51–24–6 108 Recap
82 April 18 Buffalo 4 – 0 Carolina Biron 18,730 52–24–6 110 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

Playoffs[edit]

2006 Stanley Cup playoffs[7]
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers – Sabres win 4–2
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap
1 April 22 Philadelphia 2 – 3 Buffalo 2OT Miller 18,690 Sabres lead 1–0 Recap
2 April 24 Philadelphia 2 – 8 Buffalo Miller 18,690 Sabres lead 2–0 Recap
3 April 26 Buffalo 2 – 4 Philadelphia Miller 19,984 Sabres lead 2–1 Recap
4 April 28 Buffalo 4 – 5 Philadelphia Miller 20,092 Series tied 2–2 Recap
5 April 30 Philadelphia 0 – 3 Buffalo Miller 18,690 Sabres lead 3–2 Recap
6 May 2 Buffalo 7 – 1 Philadelphia Miller 19,967 Sabres win 4–2 Recap
Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (1) Ottawa Senators – Sabres win 4–1
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap
1 May 5 Buffalo 7 – 6 Ottawa OT Miller 19,544 Sabres lead 1–0 Recap
2 May 8 Buffalo 2 – 1 Ottawa Miller 19,816 Sabres lead 2–0 Recap
3 May 10 Ottawa 2 – 3 Buffalo OT Miller 18,690 Sabres lead 3–0 Recap
4 May 11 Ottawa 2 – 1 Buffalo Miller 18,690 Sabres lead 3–1 Recap
5 May 13 Buffalo 3 – 2 Ottawa OT Miller 20,024 Sabres win 4–1 Recap
Eastern Conference Finals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes – Hurricanes win 4–3
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap
1 May 20 Buffalo 3 – 2 Carolina Miller 18,730 Sabres lead 1–0 Recap
2 May 22 Buffalo 3 – 4 Carolina Miller 18,730 Series tied 1–1 Recap
3 May 24 Carolina 3 – 4 Buffalo Miller 18,690 Sabres lead 2–1 Recap
4 May 26 Carolina 4 – 0 Buffalo Miller 18,690 Series tied 2–2 Recap
5 May 28 Buffalo 3 – 4 Carolina OT Miller 18,730 Hurricanes lead 3–2 Recap
6 May 30 Carolina 1 – 2 Buffalo OT Miller 18,690 Series tied 3–3 Recap
7 June 1 Buffalo 2 – 4 Carolina Miller 18,730 Hurricanes win 4–3 Recap
Legend:

  Win   Loss

Player statistics[edit]

Scoring[edit]

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
Regular season Playoffs
No. Player Pos GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
61 Maxim Afinogenov RW 77 22 51 73 6 84 18 3 5 8 3 10
23 Chris Drury C 81 30 37 67 −11 32 18 9 9 18 5 10
12 Ales Kotalik RW 82 25 37 62 −3 62 18 4 7 11 4 8
48 Daniel Briere C 48 25 33 58 3 48 18 8 11 19 0 12
19 Tim Connolly C 63 16 39 55 5 28 8 5 6 11 3 0
26 Thomas Vanek LW 81 25 23 48 −11 72 10 2 0 2 −1 6
9 Derek Roy C 70 18 28 46 1 57 18 5 10 15 7 16
51 Brian Campbell D 79 12 32 44 −14 16 18 0 6 6 −5 12
55 Jochen Hecht LW 64 18 24 42 10 34 15 2 6 8 4 8
17 Jean-Pierre Dumont RW 54 20 20 40 −1 38 18 7 7 14 1 14
27 Teppo Numminen D 75 2 38 40 6 36 12 1 1 2 3 4
29 Jason Pominville RW 57 18 12 30 −4 22 18 5 5 10 0 8
28 Paul Gaustad C 78 9 15 24 4 65 18 0 4 4 1 14
25 Mike Grier RW 81 7 16 23 −7 28 18 3 5 8 3 2
10 Henrik Tallinder D 82 6 15 21 10 74 14 2 6 8 14 16
45 Dmitri Kalinin D 55 2 16 18 14 54 8 0 2 2 4 2
5 Toni Lydman D 75 1 16 17 9 82 18 1 4 5 14 18
74 Jay McKee D 75 5 11 16 0 57 17 2 3 5 3 30
24 Taylor Pyatt LW 41 6 6 12 −1 33 14 0 5 5 −2 10
8 Rory Fitzpatrick D 56 4 5 9 −18 50 11 0 4 4 −1 16
22 Adam Mair C 40 2 5 7 −2 47 3 0 0 0 −2 0
13 Jiri Novotny C 14 2 1 3 −5 0 4 0 0 0 −1 0
20 Daniel Paille LW 14 1 2 3 5 2 — — — — — —
30 Ryan Miller G 48 0 2 2 0 18 0 0 0 2
38 Nathan Paetsch D 1 0 1 1 −1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
47 Chris Thorburn C 2 0 1 1 −1 7 — — — — — —
43 Martin Biron G 35 0 1 1 10 — — — — — —
34 Jeff Jillson D 2 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 −4 0
35 Mika Noronen‡ G 4 0 0 0 2 — — — — — —
76 Andrew Peters LW 28 0 0 0 −2 100 — — — — — —
33 Doug Janik D — — — — — — 5 1 0 1 −2 2

Goaltending[edit]

  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
Regular season Playoffs
No. Player GP W L OT SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
30 Ryan Miller 48 30 14 3 1440 124 2.60 .914 1 2862 18 11 7 522 48 2.56 .908 1 1123
43 Martin Biron 35 21 8 3 980 93 2.88 .905 1 1934 — — — — — — — — —
35 Mika Noronen‡ 4 1 2 0 77 12 4.27 .844 0 169 — — — — — — — — —

Awards and records[edit]

Awards[edit]

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual) 		Jack Adams Award Lindy Ruff [8]
League
(in-season) 		NHL Defensive Player of the Week Ryan Miller (December 26) [9]
Ryan Miller (February 6) [10]

Transactions[edit]

The Sabres were involved in the following transactions from February 17, 2005, the day after the 2004–05 NHL season was officially cancelled, through June 19, 2006, the day of the deciding game of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals.[11]

Trades[edit]

Date Details Ref
July 30, 2005 To Calgary Flames
3rd-round pick in 2005 		To Buffalo Sabres
3rd-round pick in 2005
4th-round pick in 2005 		[12]
July 30, 2005 To Washington Capitals
6th-round pick in 2006 		To Buffalo Sabres
Rights to Tim Kennedy 		[11][13]
August 25, 2005 To Calgary Flames
3rd-round pick in 2006 		To Buffalo Sabres
Toni Lydman 		[14]
October 4, 2005 To Chicago Blackhawks
Milan Bartovic 		To Buffalo Sabres
Michael Leighton 		[15]
March 9, 2006 To Vancouver Canucks
Mika Noronen 		To Buffalo Sabres
2nd-round pick in 2006 		[16]

Players acquired[edit]

Date Player Former team Term Via Ref
August 4, 2005 (2005-08-04) Teppo Numminen Dallas Stars 1-year Free agency [17]

Players lost[edit]

Date Player New team Via[a] Ref
February 24, 2005 (2005-02-24) Jason Botterill Retirement (UFA) [19]
August 3, 2005 (2005-08-03) Miroslav Satan New York Islanders Free agency (UFA) [20]
August 8, 2005 (2005-08-08) Eric Boulton Atlanta Thrashers Free agency (UFA) [21]
August 18, 2005 (2005-08-18) Norm Milley Tampa Bay Lightning Free agency (VI) [22]
August 31, 2005 (2005-08-31) Brandon Smith Rochester Americans (AHL) Free agency (VI) [23]
September 7, 2005 (2005-09-07) Todd Rohloff Tampa Bay Lightning Free agency (UFA) [24]
September 10, 2005 (2005-09-10) Brad Brown Toronto Maple Leafs Free agency (UFA) [25]
September 21, 2005 (2005-09-21) Tom Askey HIFK (Liiga) Free agency (VI) [26]
N/A Ryan Jorde Danbury Trashers (UHL) Free agency (UFA) [27]

Signings[edit]

Date Player Term Contract type Ref
July 28, 2005 (2005-07-28) Clarke MacArthur 3-year Entry-level [28]
July 29, 2005 (2005-07-29) Rory Fitzpatrick 1-year Option exercised [29]
Dmitri Kalinin 1-year Option exercised [29]
August 4, 2005 (2005-08-04) Taylor Pyatt 1-year Re-signing [30]
August 8, 2005 (2005-08-08) Mike Grier 1-year Re-signing [31]
August 12, 2005 (2005-08-12) Martin Biron 1-year Re-signing [32]
Brian Campbell 1-year Re-signing [33]
Ryan Miller 1-year Re-signing [33]
August 15, 2005 (2005-08-15) Maxim Afinogenov 1-year Re-signing [34]
Milan Bartovic 1-year Re-signing [34]
Daniel Briere 1-year Re-signing [34]
Tim Connolly 1-year Re-signing [34]
Jean-Pierre Dumont 1-year Re-signing [34]
Paul Gaustad 1-year Re-signing [34]
Jochen Hecht 3-year Re-signing [35]
Jeff Jillson 1-year Re-signing [34]
Ales Kotalik 1-year Re-signing [34]
Jason Pominville 1-year Re-signing [34]
Michael Ryan 1-year Re-signing [34]
Henrik Tallinder 1-year Re-signing [34]
September 9, 2005 (2005-09-09) Jay McKee 1-year Re-signing [36]
September 14, 2005 (2005-09-14) Sean McMorrow Re-signing [37]
October 11, 2005 (2005-10-11) Mark Mancari 3-year Entry-level [38]
May 3, 2006 (2006-05-03) Drew Stafford 3-year Entry-level [39]
June 5, 2006 (2006-06-05) Mike Card multi-year Entry-level [40]
Michael Funk multi-year Entry-level [40]
Dylan Hunter multi-year Entry-level [40]
Patrick Kaleta multi-year Entry-level [40]

Draft picks[edit]

As there was no 2004–05 season to set the order for the draft, a lottery was held in which teams were assigned a number of balls, between one and three, based on the number of playoff appearances the team had had in the past three seasons. As the Sabres had missed the playoffs three consecutive seasons, they were one of only four teams which had the full allotment of three balls in the lottery. Despite this advantage, the Sabres only ended up with the 13th overall pick.

Buffalo's picks at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa, Ontario:

Round # Player Nationality NHL team College/junior/club team (league)
1 13 Marek Zagrapan (C)  Slovakia Buffalo Sabres Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
2 48 Philipp Gogulla (W)  Germany Buffalo Sabres Kolner Haie (DEL)
3 87 Marc-Andre Gragnani (D)  Canada Buffalo Sabres
(from Calgary Flames) 		P.E.I. Rocket (QMJHL)
4 96 Chris Butler (D)  United States Buffalo Sabres
(from Calgary Flames) 		Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
5 142 Nathan Gerbe (C)  United States Buffalo Sabres US National Team Development Program
6 182 Adam Dennis (G)  Canada Buffalo Sabres London Knights (OHL)
6 191 Vyacheslav Buravchikov (D)  Russia Buffalo Sabres
(from Minnesota Wild) 		Krylia (Russia 2)
7 208 Matt Generous (D)  United States Buffalo Sabres New England Junior Falcons (EJHL)
7 227 Andrew Orpik (D)  United States Buffalo Sabres Thayer Academy (USHS)

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ In parentheses is the player's free agency group on August 1 if applicable.[18]

References[edit]

  • "Buffalo Sabres 2005-06 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  • "2005-06 Buffalo Sabres Roster and Statistics". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  1. ^ National Hockey League (2010). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011. Triumph Books. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-60078-422-4.
  2. ^ "2005-06 NHL Summary".
  3. ^ "Los Angeles Kings at Buffalo Sabres Box Score — January 14, 2006".
  4. ^ "Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres Box Score — February 24, 1993".
  5. ^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2009). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2010. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 162.
  6. ^ "2005–2006 Standings by Conference". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  7. ^ a b "2005-06 Buffalo Sabres Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  8. ^ "Ruff Wins Jack Adams Award". NHL.com. June 22, 2006. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  9. ^ "Marian Hossa Named NHL Offensive Player Of The Week". Atlanta Thrashers. December 26, 2005. Archived from the original on March 25, 2006. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  10. ^ "Defensive Player of the Week". NHL.com. February 6, 2006. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Hockey Transactions Search Results". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  12. ^ "Three defencemen, two goalies, two forwards and a Sutter". Calgary Flames. July 30, 2005. Archived from the original on December 1, 2005. Retrieved June 23, 2022. the Flames traded two picks (Nos. 87 and 96) to Buffalo to move up to No. 74
  13. ^ "Kennedy: One Step Closer". NHL.com. August 24, 2005. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2023. But Kennedy would remain a Capital for just 30 minutes as the Sabres traded Washington a sixth-round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for his rights.
  14. ^ "Sabres Acquire Lydman". NHL.com. August 25, 2005. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  15. ^ "Leighton, Bartovic dealt". theahl.com. October 4, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  16. ^ "Noronen Traded To Canucks". NHL.com. March 8, 2006. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  17. ^ "Thursday roundup: Avs to keep Tanguay, Sauer". ESPN.com. August 4, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  18. ^ "Free Agents List". ESPN.com. August 1, 2005. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  19. ^ "Amerks' Botterill retires". theahl.com. February 24, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  20. ^ "Oilers strike again, acquire Isles' Peca for York". ESPN.com. August 3, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  21. ^ "Thrashers Sign Unrestricted Free Agent Forwards Eric Boulton, Ramzi Abid and Scott Barney". Atlanta Thrashers. August 8, 2005. Archived from the original on March 25, 2006. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  22. ^ "Lightning sign four". theahl.com. August 18, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  23. ^ "AMERKS RE-SIGN SMITH & DUFRESNE". Rochester Americans. August 31, 2005. Archived from the original on November 19, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  24. ^ "TRANSACTIONS". Hartford Courant. September 8, 2005. Retrieved December 31, 2023. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING–Signed D Todd Rohloff to a one-year contract.
  25. ^ "Leafs move on from Marchment, ink D Brown". ESPN.com. September 10, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  26. ^ "TOM ASKEY". TSN.ca. Archived from the original on September 13, 2006. Retrieved June 22, 2022. 21-Sep-05: Signed with the HIFK Helsinki of the SM-Liiga (Finland).
  27. ^ "Trashers swap Jorde for Stewart". OurSports Central. November 22, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  28. ^ "TRANSACTIONS". The New York Times. July 29, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2022. BUFFALO SABRES--Signed C Clarke MacArthur to a three-year contract.
  29. ^ a b "TRANSACTIONS". The New York Times. July 30, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2022. BUFFALO SABRES--Announced D Dmitri Kalinin exercised his one-year option. Exercised their one-year option on D Rory Fitzpatrick.
  30. ^ "Taylor Pyatt Stats, News, Video, Bio, Highlights on TSN". TSN. Retrieved June 22, 2022. Aug 04, 2005 Re-signed as a restricted free agent by the Buffalo Sabres to a one-year contract.
  31. ^ "Grier accepts one-year qualifying offer from Sabres". ESPN.com. August 8, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  32. ^ "Biron Accepts Qualifying Offer". NHL.com. August 12, 2005. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Miller and Campbell Accept Qualifying Offers". NHL.com. August 12, 2005. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Eleven Players Accept Qualifying Offers". NHL.com. August 15, 2005. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  35. ^ "Hecht Agrees to Three-Year Deal". NHL.com. August 15, 2005. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  36. ^ "McKee rejoins Sabres for one year at $1.6-million". The Globe and Mail. September 10, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  37. ^ "SEAN MCMORROW". TSN.ca. Archived from the original on May 15, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2022. 14-Sep-05: Re-signed as a restricted free agent by the Buffalo Sabres.
  38. ^ "Mark Mancari Stats, News, Video, Bio, Highlights on TSN". TSN. Retrieved June 22, 2022. Oct 11, 2005 Signed by the Buffalo Sabres to a three-year contract.
  39. ^ "Sabres Sign Drew Stafford". NHL.com. May 3, 2006. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  40. ^ a b c d "Sabres Sign Four Players". NHL.com. June 5, 2006. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
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