2010–11 Buffalo Sabres season

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.

2010–11 Buffalo Sabres
Division3rd Northeast
Conference7th Eastern
2010–11 record43–29–10
Home record21–16–4
Road record22–13–6
Goals for245
Goals against229
Team information
General managerDarcy Regier
CoachLindy Ruff
CaptainCraig Rivet (Oct.–Feb.)
Vacant (Feb.–Apr.)
Alternate captainsPaul Gaustad
Jochen Hecht
Jason Pominville
Derek Roy
Thomas Vanek (Feb.–Apr.)
ArenaHSBC Arena
Average attendanceAverage: 18,453
Team leaders
GoalsThomas Vanek (32)
AssistsThomas Vanek (41)
PointsThomas Vanek (73)
Penalty minutesCody McCormick (142)
Plus/minusSteve Montador (+16)
WinsRyan Miller (34)
Goals against averageMiller (2.59)

As of 2021, this is the last time the Sabres qualified for postseason play and their last season with a winning record.

Off-season

To commemorate the team's 40th anniversary, the Sabres are going 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 will be white with blue and gold trim, similar to the original 1970–71 uniforms; a new third jersey paying homage to the AHL Bisons that played in the city prior to 1970. The jersey will 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.

Divisional standings
Northeast Division[11]
GP W L OTL ROW GF GA Pts
1 y – Boston Bruins8246251144246195103
2 Montreal Canadiens82443084121620996
3 Buffalo Sabres824329103824522996
4 Toronto Maple Leafs823734113221825185
5 Ottawa Senators823240103019225074

Conference standings
Eastern Conference
R Div GP W L OTL ROW GF GA Pts
1 z – Washington CapitalsSE8248231143224197107
2 y – Philadelphia FlyersAT8247231244259223106
3 y – Boston BruinsNE8246251144246195103
4 Pittsburgh PenguinsAT824925839238199106
5 Tampa Bay LightningSE8246251140247240103
6 Montreal CanadiensNE82443084121620996
7 Buffalo SabresNE824329103824522996
8 New York RangersAT82443353523319893
8.5
9 Carolina HurricanesSE824031113523623991
10 Toronto Maple LeafsNE823734113221825185
11 New Jersey DevilsAT82383953517420981
12 Atlanta ThrashersSE823436122922326980
13 Ottawa SenatorsNE823240103019225074
14 New York IslandersAT823039132622926473
15 Florida PanthersSE823040122619522972

bold – qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; z – Placed first in conference (and division)
AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division

Schedule and results

Pre-season

Game log
2010–11 Game Log
October : 3-7-2 (Home: 0-4-1; Road: 3-3-1)
November: 6-6-1 (Home: 4-4-0; Road: 2-2-1)
December: 6-5-1 (Home: 4-2-0; Road: 2-3-1)
January: 7-3-1 (Home: 3-2-0; Road: 5-1-1)
February: 6-4-2 (Home: 3-3-2; Road: 3-1-0)
March: 9-3-2 (Home: 4-1-1; Road: 5-2-1)
April: 4-0-1 (Home: 2-0-0; Road: 2-0-1)
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
2011 Stanley Cup playoffs
  • 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

Regular season
Player GP TOI W L OT GA GAA SA Sv% SO G A PIM
Ryan Miller663829342281652.591964.9165026
Jhonas Enroth14769922352.73377.9071000
Patrick Lalime7365050182.96163.8900010
Playoffs
Player GP TOI W L GA GAA SA Sv% SO G A PIM
Ryan Miller741034202.93242.9172012
Jhonas Enroth1170013.538.8750000

†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
Regular Season
PlayerAwardAwarded
Ryan Miller[12]NHL Second Star of the WeekDecember 6, 2010
Drew Stafford[13]NHL Second Star of the WeekFebruary 14, 2011
Andrej Sekera[14]NHL Second Star of the WeekMarch 7, 2011
Ryan Miller[15]NHL First Star of the WeekMarch 28, 2011
Jhonas Enroth[16]NHL Third Star of the WeekApril 4, 2011
Thomas Vanek[17]NHL First Star of the WeekApril 11, 2011

Milestones
Regular Season
PlayerMilestoneReached
Jochen Hecht700th Career NHL GameOctober 11, 2010
Luke Adam1st Career NHL GameOctober 26, 2010
Cody McCormick200th Career NHL GameOctober 29, 2010
Thomas Vanek400th Career NHL GameOctober 29, 2010
Mike Grier1,000th Career NHL GameNovember 3, 2010
Jhonas Enroth1st Career NHL WinNovember 6, 2010
Jordan Leopold100th Career NHL AssistNovember 6, 2010
Lindy Ruff (coach)1,000th Career NHL Game Coached[18]November 10, 2010
Steve Montador100th Career NHL PointNovember 13, 2010
Tyler Myers100th Career NHL GameNovember 13, 2010
Rob Niedermayer1,100th Career NHL GameNovember 15, 2010
Craig Rivet900th Career NHL GameNovember 20, 2010
Jason Pominville400th Career NHL GameNovember 24, 2010
Luke Adam1st Career NHL Assist
1st Career NHL Point		November 26, 2010
Luke Adam1st Career NHL GoalDecember 7, 2010
Mike Weber1st Career NHL Goal[19]December 28, 2010
Ryan Miller200th Career NHL Win[19]December 28, 2010
Lindy Ruff500th Career NHL Win (coach)January 6, 2011
Andrej Sekera200th Career NHL GameJanuary 15, 2011
Thomas Vanek200th Career NHL GoalJanuary 20, 2011
Paul Byron1st Career NHL Game
1st Career NHL Assist
1st Career NHL Point		January 23, 2011
Paul Byron1st Career NHL GoalJanuary 25, 2011
Jason Pominville200th Career NHL AssistJanuary 25, 2011
Tim Connolly600th Career NHL GameFebruary 15, 2011
Paul Gaustad400th Career NHL GameFebruary 20, 2011
Steve Montador500th Career NHL GameFebruary 23, 2011
Patrick Kaleta200th Career NHL GameMarch 1, 2011
Drew Stafford300th Career NHL GameMarch 3, 2011
Jordan Leopold500th Career NHL GameMarch 10, 2011
Jhonas Enroth1st Career NHL ShutoutMarch 30, 2011
Marc-Andre Gragnani1st Career NHL Assist
1st Career NHL Point		March 30, 2011
Thomas Vanek200th Career NHL GoalApril 2, 2011
Marc-Andre Gragnani1st Career NHL GoalApril 3, 2011
Drew Stafford100th Career NHL AssistApril 3, 2011
Matt Ellis200th Career NHL GameApril 8, 2011
Paul Gaustad100th Career NHL AssistApril 9, 2011
Playoffs
PlayerMilestoneReached
Chris Butler1st Career NHL Playoff GameApril 14, 2011
Marc-Andre Gragnani1st Career NHL Playoff Game
1st Career NHL Playoff Assist
1st Career NHL Playoff Point		April 14, 2011
Mike Weber1st Career NHL Playoff GameApril 14, 2011
Cody McCormick1st Career NHL Playoff GoalApril 16, 2011
Andrej Sekera1st Career NHL Playoff Goal
1st Career NHL Playoff Point		April 16, 2011
Marc-Andre Gragnani1st Career NHL Playoff GoalApril 22, 2011
Tyler Myers1st Career NHL Playoff AssistApril 22, 2011
Mike Weber1st Career NHL Playoff Assist
1st Career NHL Playoff Point		April 22, 2011
Chris Butler1st Career NHL Playoff Assist
1st Career NHL Playoff Point		April 24, 2011
Mike Grier100th Career NHL Playoff GameApril 24, 2011
Jhonas Enroth1st Career NHL Playoff GameApril 26, 2011
Mark Mancari1st Career NHL Playoff GameApril 26, 2011

Transactions

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

Final roster

Updated April 26, 2011[50]

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
22 Brad Boyes C R 38 2011 Mississauga, Ontario
34 Chris Butler D L 34 2005 St. Louis, Missouri
19 Tim Connolly C R 39 2001 Syracuse, New York
37 Matt Ellis C L 39 2008 Welland, Ontario
63 Tyler Ennis LW L 31 2008 Edmonton, Alberta
1 Jhonas Enroth G L 32 2006 Stockholm, Sweden
28 Paul Gaustad (A) C/LW L 39 2000 Fargo, North Dakota
42 Nathan Gerbe C L 33 2005 Oxford, Michigan
17 Marc-Andre Gragnani D L 33 2005 Montreal, Quebec
25 Mike Grier RW R 46 2009 Detroit, Michigan
55 Jochen Hecht (A) LW L 43 2002 Mannheim, West Germany
36 Patrick Kaleta RW R 34 2004 Buffalo, New York
40 Patrick Lalime G L 46 2008 Saint-Bonaventure, Quebec
3 Jordan Leopold D L 40 2010 Golden Valley, Minnesota
8 Cody McCormick C R 37 2009 London, Ontario
30 Ryan Miller G L 40 1999 East Lansing, Michigan
4 Steve Montador D R 41 2009 Vancouver, British Columbia
27 Shaone Morrisonn D L 38 2010 Vancouver, British Columbia
57 Tyler Myers D R 31 2008 Katy, Texas
20 Rob Niedermayer C L 46 2010 Edmonton, Alberta
29 Jason Pominville (A) RW R 38 2001 Repentigny, Quebec
9 Derek Roy (A) C L 37 2001 Ottawa, Ontario
44 Andrej Sekera D L 34 2004 Bojnice, Czechoslovakia
21 Drew Stafford RW R 35 2004 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
26 Thomas Vanek (A) LW R 37 2003 Baden bei Wien, Austria

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
RoundOverall PickPlayerNationalityPositionTeam fromLeague from
123Mark Pysyk CanadaDEdmonton Oil KingsWHL
368 (from Atlanta)Jerome Gauthier-Leduc CanadaDRouyn-Noranda HuskiesQMJHL
375 (from Boston)Kevin Sundher CanadaCChilliwack BruinsWHL
383Matt MacKenzie CanadaDCalgary HitmenWHL
498 (from Atlanta)Steven Shipley CanadaCOwen Sound AttackOHL
5143Gregg Sutch CanadaRWMississauga St. Michael's MajorsOHL
6173Cedrick Henley CanadaLWVal-d'Or ForeursQMJHL
7203Christian Isackson United StatesRWSaint Thomas AcademyUSHS-MN
7208 (from San Jose)Riley Boychuk CanadaLWPortland WinterhawksWHL

See also

Farm teams

Portland Pirates

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

References

  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. "Ken Campbell's blog: THN.com Blog: Explaining the potential Sabres sale". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  3. Luke Moretti Posted by: Emily Lenihan. "Report: Billionaire aims to buy Sabres". WIVB.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  4. "Sabres Edge – Blogs – The Buffalo News". Blogs.buffalonews.com. December 1, 2010. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  5. "Sources: Buffalo Sabres will announce agreement on sale to Terry Pegula – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. January 31, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  6. John Vogl (February 3, 2011). "Last minute of play in the Golisano era – Sabres & NHL". The Buffalo News. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  7. Mike Harrington. "Golisano expresses interest in Bills – Sports". The Buffalo News. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  8. JOHN WAWROW,AP Sports Writer. "Pegula set to take over Sabres". Wivb.com. Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  9. Golisano turned down higher bid for Sabres Archived February 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. WIVB-TV. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  10. Team looking forward to executive decisions. Buffalo News. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  11. "2010–2011 Standings by Conference". National Hockey League.
  12. Crosby tops NHL's 'Three Stars of the Week'
  13. Isles' Grabner tops NHL's 'Three Stars of the Week'
  14. Iginla leads NHL's 'Three Stars of the Week'
  15. Ryan Miller tops 'Three Stars' of the week
  16. Corey Perry tops 'Three Stars' of the week
  17. Thomas Vanek tops 'Three Stars' of the week
  18. "Ruff's 1,000th game as Sabres coach a winning one, Enroth leads Buffalo in SO". The Hockey News. November 10, 2010. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  19. "Sabres defeat Oilers". December 28, 2010. Archived from the original on February 17, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  20. BUFFALO SABRES ACQUIRE BRAD BOYES FROM ST. LOUIS
  21. SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH DEFENSEMAN JORDAN LEOPOLD
  22. SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH ROB NIEDERMAYER
  23. SABRES SIGN TIM CONBOY
  24. SABRES SIGN MCCAULEY
  25. SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH SHAONE MORRISONN
  26. SABRES SIGN FORWARD COLIN STUART
  27. SABRES SIGN PARRISH, LOAN HIM TO THE PIRATES
  28. SABRES SIGN GOALTENDER DAVID LEGGIO
  29. Devils sign D Tallinder and Volchenkov
  30. Ducks Sign Lydman to 3-year Deal
  31. Canucks sign forward Raffi Torres
  32. Rangers, Kennedy agree to terms
  33. Devils sign Mair, assign Leblond to AHL
  34. Columbus Blue Jackets Claim Defenseman Craig Rivet Off Waivers from the Buffalo Sabres
  35. SABRES SIGN NICK CRAWFORD
  36. SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH FORWARD MIKE GRIER
  37. SABRES SIGN ALEX BIEGA
  38. SABRES SIGN JACOB LAGACE
  39. SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH McCORMICK
  40. SABRES SIGN 2007 DRAFT PICK COREY TROPP
  41. BUFFALO’S MIKE WEBER SIGNS QUALIFYING OFFER
  42. SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH PATRICK LALIME
  43. SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH WHITMORE
  44. SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH PAT KALETA
  45. SABRES RE-SIGN GRAGNANI
  46. SABRES SIGN MARK MANCARI
  47. SABRES RE-SIGN FORWARD MATT ELLIS
  48. SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH 2009 FIRST-ROUND PICK ZACK KASSIAN
  49. SABRES SIGN HEAD COACH LINDY RUFF TO MULTI-YEAR DEAL
  50. "Buffalo Sabres – Team – Roster". Retrieved April 26, 2011.
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