NHL hockey team season
The
2016–17
Buffalo Sabres
season was the
47th season for the
National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.
[1] Buffalo missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
Off-season
The Sabres held their annual development camp during the second weekend of July. After the previous two seasons in which the Sabres held the tournament in the First Niagara Center, this edition was held at
HarborCenter .
[2]
The Sabres reprised their hosting of a prospect tournament for 2016, after the success of the first event in 2015. The
New Jersey Devils and
Boston Bruins returned for the tournament, which ran September 16–19, partially opposite the
2016 World Cup of Hockey ; in contrast to the previous season, the Sabres lost both prospect tournament games and finished in third place.
[3] The Sabres contributed three players to the World Cup:
Jack Eichel for
Team North America ,
Ryan O'Reilly for Canada, and
Rasmus Ristolainen for Finland.
On July 16, 2016, the Sabres hired Tom Ward as an assistant coach. Ward had spent the previous 18 seasons as the head coach for the Minnesota High School boys prep team.
[4]
The Sabres also announced that the
naming rights to their home arena will change. Due to
First Niagara Financial Group , the arena's previous rights holder, being subsumed into
KeyBank , the team's arena was renamed
KeyBank Center for the 2016–17 season.
[5] The arena naming rights have passed through a succession of regional banks, having been known as First Niagara Center,
HSBC Arena and
Marine Midland Arena, through its 20-year history.
Standings
Source: National Hockey League
[6] x – Clinched playoff spot;
y – Clinched division
Source: National Hockey League
[7] x – Clinched playoff spot
Schedule and results
Pre-season
Regular season
2016–17 Game Log
[8]
October: 3–3–2 (Home: 1–2–0 ; Road: 2–1–2)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
1
October 13
Montreal
4–1
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
0–1–0
0
Recap
2
October 16
Buffalo
6–2
Edmonton
Lehner
18,347
1–1–0
2
Recap
3
October 18
Buffalo
3–4
Calgary
OT
Lehner
19,289
1–1–1
3
Recap
4
October 20
Buffalo
1–2
Vancouver
Lehner
17,809
1–2–1
3
Recap
5
October 25
Buffalo
3–4
Philadelphia
SO
Nilsson
19,209
1–2–2
4
Recap
6
October 27
Minnesota
4–0
Buffalo
Nilsson
18,122
1–3–2
4
Recap
7
October 29
Florida
0–3
Buffalo
Nilsson
18,261
2–3–2
6
Recap
8
October 30
Buffalo
3–1
Winnipeg
Lehner
15,294
3–3–2
8
Recap
November: 5–6–3 (Home: 2–2–3 ; Road: 3–4–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
9
November 1
Buffalo
2–1
Minnesota
Lehner
18,864
4–3–2
10
Recap
10
November 3
Toronto
2–1
Buffalo
Lehner
18,183
4–4–2
10
Recap
11
November 5
Buffalo
2–1
Ottawa
Lehner
16,225
5–4–2
12
Recap
12
November 7
Buffalo
0–4
Boston
Lehner
17,565
5–5–2
12
Recap
13
November 9
Ottawa
2–1
Buffalo
SO
Lehner
17,884
5–5–3
13
Recap
14
November 11
New Jersey
2–1
Buffalo
OT
Nilsson
18,301
5–5–4
14
Recap
15
November 12
Buffalo
2–4
New Jersey
Lehner
16,514
5–6–4
14
Recap
16
November 15
Buffalo
1–4
St. Louis
Lehner
16,884
5–7–4
14
Recap
17
November 17
Tampa Bay
4–1
Buffalo
Lehner
17,870
5–8–4
14
Recap
18
November 19
Pittsburgh
1–2
Buffalo
SO
Nilsson
18,817
6–8–4
16
Recap
19
November 21
Calgary
2–4
Buffalo
Lehner
17,526
7–8–4
18
Recap
20
November 23
Detroit
2–1
Buffalo
SO
Lehner
18,360
7–8–5
19
Recap
21
November 25
Buffalo
1–3
Washington
Nilsson
18,506
7–9–5
19
Recap
22
November 29
Buffalo
5–4
Ottawa
Nilsson
14,259
8–9–5
21
Recap
December: 5–6–3 (Home: 4–4–0 ; Road: 1–2–3)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
23
December 1
NY Rangers
3–4
Buffalo
Nilsson
18,047
9–9–5
23
Recap
24
December 3
Boston
2–1
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
9–10–5
23
Recap
25
December 5
Buffalo
2–3
Washington
OT
Lehner
18,506
9–10–6
24
Recap
26
December 6
Edmonton
3–4
Buffalo
OT
Nilsson
18,149
10–10–6
26
Recap
27
December 9
Washington
4–1
Buffalo
Lehner
18,234
10–11–6
26
Recap
28
December 13
Los Angeles
3–6
Buffalo
Lehner
18,375
11–11–6
28
Recap
29
December 16
NY Islanders
2–3
Buffalo
OT
Lehner
18,903
12–11–6
30
Recap
30
December 17
Buffalo
1–2
Carolina
SO
Nilsson
11,682
12–11–7
31
Recap
31
December 20
Buffalo
3–4
Florida
SO
Lehner
14,265
12–11–8
32
Recap
32
December 22
Carolina
3–1
Buffalo
Lehner
18,863
12–12–8
32
Recap
33
December 23
Buffalo
1–5
NY Islanders
Nilsson
13,852
12–13–8
32
Recap
34
December 27
Buffalo
4–3
Detroit
Lehner
20,027
13–13–8
34
Recap
35
December 29
Boston
4–2
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
13–14–8
34
Recap
36
December 31
Buffalo
1–3
Boston
Lehner
17,565
13–15–8
34
Recap
January: 7–5–1 (Home: 4–0–0 ; Road: 3–5–1)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
37
January 3
Buffalo
4–1
NY Rangers
Nilsson
18,006
14–15–8
36
Recap
38
January 5
Buffalo
3–4
Chicago
OT
Nilsson
21,824
14–15–9
37
Recap
39
January 7
Winnipeg
3–4
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
15–15–9
39
Recap
40
January 10
Philadelphia
1–4
Buffalo
Nilsson
18,920
16–15–9
41
Recap
41
January 12
Buffalo
2–4
Tampa Bay
Nilsson
19,092
16–16–9
41
Recap
42
January 13
Buffalo
2–5
Carolina
Nilsson
11,992
16–17–9
41
Recap
43
January 16
Dallas
1–4
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
17–17–9
43
Recap
44
January 17
Buffalo
3–4
Toronto
Nilsson
19,122
17–18–9
43
Recap
45
January 20
Detroit
2–3
Buffalo
OT
Nilsson
18,842
18–18–9
45
Recap
46
January 21
Buffalo
3–2
Montreal
OT
Lehner
21,288
19–18–9
47
Recap
47
January 24
Buffalo
5–4
Nashville
OT
Lehner
17,113
20–18–9
49
Recap
48
January 26
Buffalo
3–4
Dallas
Nilsson
17,856
20–19–9
49
Recap
January 27–29
All-Star Break in
Los Angeles
49
January 31
Buffalo
2–5
Montreal
Lehner
21,288
20–20–9
49
Recap
February: 6–6–2 (Home: 4–3–2 ; Road: 2–3–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
50
February 2
NY Rangers
2–1
Buffalo
OT
Lehner
18,941
20–20–10
50
Recap
51
February 4
Ottawa
0–4
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
21–20–10
52
Recap
52
February 6
Buffalo
1–2
New Jersey
Lehner
12,105
21–21–10
52
Recap
53
February 7
San Jose
4–5
Buffalo
OT
Nilsson
18,462
22–21–10
54
Recap
54
February 9
Anaheim
5–2
Buffalo
Lehner
18,027
22–22–10
54
Recap
55
February 11
Buffalo
3–1
Toronto
Lehner
19,427
23–22–10
56
Recap
56
February 12
Vancouver
4–2
Buffalo
Lehner
18,876
23–23–10
56
Recap
57
February 14
Buffalo
3–2
Ottawa
Lehner
16,832
24–23–10
58
Recap
58
February 16
Colorado
0–2
Buffalo
Lehner
18,335
25–23–10
60
Recap
59
February 18
St. Louis
2–3
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
26–23–10
62
Recap
60
February 19
Chicago
5–1
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
26–24–10
62
Recap
61
February 25
Buffalo
3–5
Colorado
Lehner
15,362
26–25–10
62
Recap
62
February 26
Buffalo
2–3
Arizona
Nilsson
13,432
26–26–10
62
Recap
63
February 28
Nashville
5–4
Buffalo
OT
Lehner
18,634
26–26–11
63
Recap
March: 6–7–1 (Home: 4–2–1 ; Road: 3–4–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
64
March 2
Arizona
3–6
Buffalo
Lehner
18,116
27–26–11
65
Recap
65
March 4
Tampa Bay
2–1
Buffalo
SO
Lehner
18,935
27–26–12
66
Recap
66
March 5
Buffalo
3–4
Pittsburgh
Nilsson
18,653
27–27–12
66
Recap
67
March 7
Philadelphia
6–3
Buffalo
Lehner
18,233
27–28–12
66
Recap
68
March 10
Buffalo
3–4
Columbus
Lehner
17,530
27–29–12
66
Recap
69
March 11
Columbus
3–5
Buffalo
Nilsson
18,744
28–29–12
68
Recap
70
March 14
Buffalo
1–4
San Jose
Lehner
17,386
28–30–12
68
Recap
71
March 16
Buffalo
0–2
Los Angeles
Lehner
18,230
28–31–12
68
Recap
72
March 17
Buffalo
2–1
Anaheim
SO
Nilsson
14,556
29–31–12
70
Recap
73
March 20
Buffalo
2–1
Detroit
Lehner
20,027
30–31–12
72
Recap
74
March 21
Pittsburgh
3–1
Buffalo
Lehner
18,313
30–32–12
72
Recap
75
March 25
Toronto
2–5
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
31–32–12
74
Recap
76
March 27
Florida
2–4
Buffalo
Lehner
18,564
32–32–12
76
Recap
77
March 28
Buffalo
1–3
Columbus
Nilsson
14,533
32–33–12
76
Recap
April: 1–4–0 (Home: 1–2–0 ; Road: 0–2–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
78
April 2
NY Islanders
4–2
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
32–34–12
76
Recap
79
April 3
Toronto
4–2
Buffalo
Lehner
18,829
32–35–12
76
Recap
80
April 5
Montreal
1–2
Buffalo
Lehner
18,815
33–35–12
78
Recap
81
April 8
Buffalo
0–3
Florida
Lehner
17,235
33–36–12
78
Recap
82
April 9
Buffalo
2–4
Tampa Bay
Ullmark
19,092
33–37–12
78
Recap
Legend :
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)
Player stats
As of April 9, 2017
Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular season
[10]
Player
GP
GS
TOI
W
L
OT
GA
GAA
SA
SV%
SO
G
A
PIM
Robin Lehner
59
58
3405:28
23
26
8
152
2.68
1,910
.920
2
0
1
6
Anders Nilsson
26
23
1484:15
10
10
4
66
2.67
857
.923
1
0
0
0
Linus Ullmark
1
1
58:44
0
1
0
3
3.05
36
.917
0
0
0
0
† Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Sabres. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
‡ Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
Bold/italics denotes franchise record.
Transactions
The Sabres have been involved in the following
transactions during the 2016–17 season:
Trades
Notes
Free agents acquired
Date
Player
Former team
Contract terms (in
U.S. dollars )
Ref
July 1, 2016
Kyle Okposo
New York Islanders
7 years, $42 million contract
[14]
July 1, 2016
Taylor Fedun
Utica Comets
1 year, $600,000 two-way contract
[15]
July 1, 2016
Justin Falk
Columbus Blue Jackets
1 year, $650,000, two-way contract
[15]
July 2, 2016
Derek Grant
Stockton Heat
1 year, $650,000, two-way contract
[16]
July 21, 2016
Erik Burgdoerfer
Hershey Bears
1 year, $575,000 two-way contract
[17]
March 30, 2017
C. J. Smith
UMass Lowell
2 years, $1.85 million entry-level contract
[18]
May 25, 2017
Victor Antipin
Metallurg Magnitogorsk
1 year, $1.775 million entry-level contract
[19]
Free agents lost
Date
Player
New team
Contract terms (in U.S. dollars)
Ref
July 1, 2016
Chad Johnson
Calgary Flames
1 year, $1.7 million
[15]
July 1, 2016
Chad Ruhwedel
Pittsburgh Penguins
1 year, $575,000
[15]
July 1, 2016
Tim Schaller
Boston Bruins
1 year, $600,000
[20]
July 19, 2016
Nathan Lieuwen
San Antonio Rampage
1 year, amount undisclosed
[21]
Claimed via waivers
Lost via waivers
Lost via retirement
Players released
Player signings
Date
Player
Contract terms (in U.S. dollars)
Ref
June 29, 2016 (2016-06-29 )
Casey Nelson
2 years, $1.3 million
[25]
June 30, 2016 (2016-06-30 )
Jake McCabe
3 years, $4.8 million
[26]
June 30, 2016 (2016-06-30 )
Cole Schneider
1 year, $600,000
[27]
July 14, 2016 (2016-07-14 )
Marcus Foligno
1 year, $2.25 million
[28]
[29]
July 15, 2016 (2016-07-15 )
Alexander Nylander
3 years, entry-level contract
[30]
July 16, 2016 (2016-07-16 )
Dan Catenacci
1 year, $575,000, two-way contract
[4]
July 17, 2016 (2016-07-17 )
Jason Kasdorf
2 years, $1.15 million, two-way contract
[31]
September 1, 2016 (2016-09-01 )
Zemgus Girgensons
1 year, $1.15 million
[32]
October 11, 2016 (2016-10-11 )
Rasmus Ristolainen
6 years, $32.4 million
[33]
February 6, 2017 (2017-02-06 )
Justin Falk
1 year, $650,000 contract extension
[34]
April 8, 2017 (2017-04-08 )
Sean Malone
2 years, $1.85 million entry-level contract
[35]
April 26, 2017 (2017-04-26 )
Devante Stephens
3 years, $2.3 million entry-level contract
[36]
May 31, 2017 (2017-05-31 )
Jonas Johansson
3 years, $2.775 million entry-level contract
[37]
June 13, 2017 (2017-06-13 )
Linus Ullmark
2 years, $1.5 million
[38]
Draft picks
Below are the Buffalo Sabres' selections at the
2016 NHL Entry Draft , held on June 24–25, 2016 at the
First Niagara Center in
Buffalo, New York .
Notes
Florida previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on May 25, 2016 that sent
Erik Gudbranson and the Islanders fifth-round pick in 2016 to Vancouver in exchange for
Jared McCann , a fourth-round pick in 2016 and this pick.
[40]
References
^ National Hockey League (2010). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011 . Triumph Books. p. 27.
ISBN
978-1-60078-422-4 .
^ Wilson, Brayton (July 6, 2016).
"Sabres announce development camp schedule and roster" . 96.5 WCMF . WCMF Rochester. Archived from
the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^
"Sabres to host prospects tournament again in September" . August 2, 2016.
^
a
b Hoppe, Bill (July 16, 2016).
"Sabres hire Tom Ward as assistant coach; Dan Catenacci re-signed" . Buffalo Hockey Beat . Olean Times Herald. Retrieved July 16, 2016 .
^
"First Niagara Center to be renamed" . May 11, 2016.
^
"2016-2017 NHL Hockey Standings" . NHL.com .
^
"2016-2017 NHL Hockey Standings" . NHL.com .
^
"2016–2017 Regular Season Schedule/Results – Buffalo Sabres – Schedule" . Buffalo Sabres.
^
"2016–2017 – Regular Season – Buffalo Sabres – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats" . NHL.
^
"2016–2017 – Regular Season – Buffalo Sabres – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats" . NHL.
^
"SABRES ACQUIRE DEFENSEMAN KULIKOV FROM PANTHERS" . Buffalo Sabres. June 25, 2016.
^
"SABRES ACQUIRE NILSSON FROM BLUES" . Buffalo Sabres. July 2, 2016.
^
"Sabres acquire Bodie from Rangers" . Buffalo Sabres. February 28, 2017.
^
"OKPOSO SIGNS 7-YEAR DEAL WITH SABRES" . nhl.com . Retrieved July 5, 2016 .
^
a
b
c
d Hoppe, Bill (July 1, 2016).
Reports: Sabres sign Kyle Okposo to 7-year contract . Olean Times Herald . Retrieved July 1, 2016.
^
"SABRES SIGN GRANT TO ONE-YEAR DEAL" . nhl.com . Retrieved July 5, 2016 .
^
"SABRES SIGN DEFENSEMAN BURGDOERFER" . Amerks.com . Rochester Americans. July 21, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016 .
^
"Sabres sign forward Smith" . Buffalo Sabres. March 30, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2017 .
^
"Sabres sign defenseman Antipin" . Buffalo Sabres. May 25, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2017 .
^ Wheeler, Paul (July 1, 2016).
"Bruins wrap up the day with depth signings of Riley Nash, Tim Schaller" . SB Nation. Retrieved July 3, 2016 .
^ McGregor, Rob.
"Ex-Sabres goalie Lieuwen signs with AHL San Antonio Rampage" . Today's Slapshot . Retrieved July 19, 2016 .
^
"Grant claimed off waivers, assigned to Rochester" . NHL . February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017 .
^
"Preds Claim Derek Grant on Waivers from Buffalo" . NHL . January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2017 .
^
Matt Ellis announces retirement
^
"SABRES EXTEND NELSON" . nhl.com . Retrieved June 29, 2016 .
^
"SABRES RE-SIGN McCABE TO 3-YEAR DEAL" . nhl.com . Retrieved July 5, 2016 .
^
"SABRES RE-SIGN SCHNEIDER" . nhl.com . Retrieved July 5, 2016 .
^
"Sabres re-sign restricted free agent Marcus Foligno for 1 year" . ESPN.com . Associated Press. July 14, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016 .
^ Hoppe, Bill (July 14, 2016).
"Sabres re-sign Marcus Foligno to 1-year deal" . Buffalo Hockey Beat . Olean Times Herald. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^
"SABRES INK NYLANDER TO ENTRY-LEVEL DEAL" . sabres.nhl.com . July 15, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ Hoppe, Bill (July 18, 2016).
"Sabres re-sign Jason Kasdorf, Dan Catenacci" . Buffalo Hockey Beat . Olean Times Herald. Retrieved July 17, 2016 .
^
"SABRES INK GIRGENSONS TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT" . NHL.com . October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016 .
^ Hoppe, Bill (September 1, 2016).
"Sabres sign Rasmus Ristolainen to 6-year contract" . Bufalo Hockey Beat . Olean Times Herald. Retrieved May 28, 2017 .
^
"Sabres sign Falk to 1-year extension" . Buffalo Sabres . Buffalo Sabres. February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2017 .
^
"Sabres sign Malone to entry-level contract" . Buffalo Sabres. April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2017 .
^
"Sabres sign Stephens to entry-level contract" . Buffalo Sabres. April 26, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2017 .
^
"Sabres sign Johansson to entry-level contract" . Buffalo Sabres. May 31, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2017 .
^
"Sabres sign Ullmark to 2-year extension" . Buffalo Sabres. June 13, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017 .
^
a
b
"Sabres acquire Kulikov from Panthers" . June 25, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2016 .
^
"Panthers trade Gudbranson to Canucks for McCann" . May 25, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016 .
^
"Stars acquire goaltender Enroth from Sabres" .
National Hockey League . February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015 .
^
"With fate decided, Sharks fall short against Stars" .
National Hockey League . April 6, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015 .
^
"Canadiens acquire Flynn from Sabres" . March 2, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015 .
^
"Mitchell traded to Canadiens by Sabres" . March 2, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015 .
Franchise History Personnel Arenas Affiliates Media Culture and lore
1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s