The Buffalo Sabers have a storied history full of outstanding players in nearly every era. So who is the best player to ever put on the uniform?
When you look back at the Buffalo Sabers, you will find hundreds of good players, dozens of great players, and a few candidates that can be considered the greatest in franchise history. You may have your own viewpoints as to who deserves the title of The Best Player in Buffalo Sabers History, but online research points to five candidates.
The following five players have either been labeled as the best in franchise history by other outlets, or they routinely find themselves as serious contenders. So today, I am not listing the overall best player or anything in any particular order, so Candidate #5 is just as viable as Candidate #1 in this article.
Instead, I will outline their respective careers with the Buffalo Sabers and let you decide on who holds the title as the Greatest Saber of All-Time. Are you ready to explore five viable candidates? Let’s get started.
13 Apr 2000: Goallie Dominik Hasek #39 of the Buffalo Sabers watching for a shot on goal while teammate Jay McKee #74 tries to stop Keith Primeau #25 from getting position and the loose puck during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pa. The Flyers defeated the Sabers 2-1.
Who is the best player in Buffalo Sabers history? Candidate #1 – Dominik Hasek, Goaltender
Hasek is the most unique candidate on today’s list, as he was the only player the Buffalo Sabers never drafted, but instead, traded for. The now-famous trade occurred on August 7th, 1992 and Hasek discovered the Chicago Blackhawks traded him shortly before he departed to a movie.
In the years that followed, Hasek did everything except win a Stanley Cup with the Sabers, but he did help lead the franchise to the 1999 Stanley Cup Final. And it took a controversial goal to defeat Hasek as the Dallas Stars took the series 4-2.
But his time with the Sabers and even subsequent seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators have padded his legacy as arguably the greatest goaltender in league history. Hasek is also a viable candidate to being the greatest player in Sabers history, given his six First Team NHL All-Star honors, six Vezinas, two Harts, and two Pearsons.
Hasek also enjoyed a 0.926 save percentage and 2.22 GAA during his time with the Sabers. And he finished his career with a 0.922 save percentage and 2.20 GAA. Hockey-Reference has listed Hasek as the top player in Sabers history, but there are four more candidates who can challenge the legendary goaltender for the title.
Comments are closed.