2005–06 Buffalo Sabres season

NHL hockey team season March 2026 August 2023 NHL 2005–06 2005 Buffalo Sabres Eastern 4th Northeast 2nd 52–24–6 27–11–3 25–13–3 281 239 Darcy Regier Lindy Ruff Daniel Briere and Chris Drury Mike GrierJochen HechtJay McKee HSBC Arena 16,886 Rochester Americans Chris Drury (30) Maxim Afinogenov (51) Maxim Afinogenov (73) Andrew Peters (100) Dmitri Kalinin (+14) Ryan Miller (30) Ryan Miller (2.60) The 2005–06 Buffalo Sabres season was the 36th season of operation, 35th season of play, for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.National Hockey League The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011 2010 Triumph Books 27 978-1-60078-422-4 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.https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2006.html 2005-06 NHL Summary 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 On January 14, 2006, the Sabres defeated the Los Angeles Kings at home by a score of 10–1.https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/200601140BUF.html Los Angeles Kings at Buffalo Sabres Box Score — January 14, 2006 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.https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/199302240BUF.html Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres Box Score — February 24, 1993 Season standings BUF BUF Playoffs 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 Regular season background:#fff; border-top:#010101 5px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 5px solid; 2005–06 regular season2005-06 Buffalo Sabres Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/2006_games.html Hockey-Reference.com October 14, 2022 y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; 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 || 2005020002 W |- | 2 || October 7 || Boston || 1 – 4 || Buffalo || || Miller || 13,771 || 2–0–0 || 4 || 2005020024 W |- | 3 || October 8 || Buffalo || 0 – 5 || Ottawa || || Miller || 19,661 || 2–1–0 || 4 || 2005020027 L |- | 4 || October 10 || Pittsburgh || 2 – 3 || Buffalo || OT || Miller || 12,050 || 3–1–0 || 6 || 2005020043 W |- | 5 || October 13 || Buffalo || 4 – 3 || Tampa Bay || SO || Miller || 20,184 || 4–1–0 || 8 || 2005020062 W |- | 6 || October 15 || Buffalo || 2 – 3 || Florida || || Miller || 17,426 || 4–2–0 || 8 || 2005020078 L |- | 7 || October 20 || Buffalo || 4 – 3 || Boston || || Miller || 14,525 || 5–2–0 || 10 || 2005020098 W |- | 8 || October 22 || NY Rangers || 1 – 3 || Buffalo || || Miller || 16,346 || 6–2–0 || 12 || 2005020118 W |- | 9 || October 26 || Washington || 3 – 2 || Buffalo || || Miller || 8,552 || 6–3–0 || 12 || 2005020138 L |- | 10 || October 28 || Buffalo || 2 – 3 || New Jersey || || Miller || 12,378 || 6–4–0 || 12 || 2005020154 L |- | 11 || October 29 || Buffalo || 6 – 4 || NY Islanders || || Biron || 13,226 || 7–4–0 || 14 || 2005020162 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; 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 || 2005020185 L |- | 13 || November 4 || Montreal || 3 – 2 || Buffalo || || Biron || 18,690 || 7–6–0 || 14 || 2005020201 L |- | 14 || November 5 || Buffalo || 2 – 3 || Montreal || || Biron || 21,273 || 7–7–0 || 14 || 2005020210 L |- | 15 || November 9 || Carolina || 5 – 3 || Buffalo || || Biron || 13,106 || 7–8–0 || 14 || 2005020232 L |- | 16 || November 11 || Toronto || 2 – 5 || Buffalo || || Biron || 18,690 || 8–8–0 || 16 || 2005020250 W |- | 17 || November 12 || Buffalo || 1 – 6 || Ottawa || || Biron || 19,414 || 8–9–0 || 16 || 2005020254 L |- | 18 || November 15 || New Jersey || 1 – 4 || Buffalo || || Biron || 13,022 || 9–9–0 || 18 || 2005020271 W |- | 19 || November 17 || Washington || 5 – 8 || Buffalo || || Biron || 12,471 || 10–9–0 || 20 || 2005020285 W |- | 20 || November 19 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || Boston || || Noronen || 17,565 || 11–9–0 || 22 || 2005020297 W |- | 21 || November 22 || NY Rangers || 3 – 2 || Buffalo || SO || Biron || 16,018 || 11–9–1 || 23 || 2005020315 OTL |- | 22 || November 23 || Buffalo || 4 – 3 || NY Islanders || SO || Biron || 13,212 || 12–9–1 || 25 || 2005020323 W |- | 23 || November 25 || Montreal || 1 – 3 || Buffalo || || Biron || 16,009 || 13–9–1 || 27 || 2005020343 W |- | 24 || November 27 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || Washington || || Biron ||11,658 || 14–9–1 || 29 || 2005020358 W |- | 25 || November 29 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || Pittsburgh || || Biron || 15,118 || 15–9–1 || 31 || 2005020368 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; 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 || 2005020381 W |- | 27 || December 2 || San Jose || 5 – 0 || Buffalo || || Noronen || 18,007 || 16–10–1 || 33 || 2005020388 L |- | 28 || December 4 || Buffalo || 6 – 4 || Colorado || || Biron || 18,007 || 17–10–1 || 35 || 2005020400 W |- | 29 || December 8 || Anaheim || 2 – 3 || Buffalo || OT || Biron || 12,504 || 18–10–1 || 37 || 2005020415 W |- | 30 || December 11 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || Minnesota || || Biron || 18,568 || 19–10–1 || 39 || 2005020440 W |- | 31 || December 14 || Dallas || 3 – 4 || Buffalo || || Biron || 16,575 || 20–10–1 || 41 || 2005020453 W |- | 32 || December 16 || Buffalo || 4 – 3 || Pittsburgh || OT || Biron || 16,648 || 21–10–1 || 43 || 2005020465 W |- | 33 || December 17 || Pittsburgh || 3 – 4 || Buffalo || || Biron || 18,690 || 22–10–1 || 45 || 2005020473 W |- | 34 || December 19 || Buffalo || 2 – 1 || Philadelphia || SO || Miller || 19,572 || 23–10–1 || 47 || 2005020485 W |- | 35 || December 22 || Buffalo || 1 – 4 || Florida || || Biron || 17,823 || 23–11–1 || 47 || 2005020507 L |- | 36 || December 23 || Buffalo || 4 – 1 || Tampa Bay || || Miller || 21,120 || 24–11–1 || 49 || 2005020517 W |- | 37 || December 26 || NY Islanders || 3 – 6 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 25–11–1 || 51 || 2005020524 W |- | 38 || December 29 || Buffalo || 3 – 4 || Toronto || SO || Biron || 19,364 || 25–11–2 || 52 || 2005020553 OTL |- | 39 || December 30 || Atlanta || 1 – 4 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 26–11–2 || 54 || 2005020561 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; 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 || 2005020576 L |- | 41 || January 5 || Tampa Bay || 1 – 3 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,032 || 27–12–2 || 56 || 2005020597 W |- | 42 || January 7 || New Jersey || 3 – 2 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 27–13–2 || 56 || 2005020617 L |- | 43 || January 12 || Phoenix || 2 – 1 || Buffalo || SO || Biron || 18,690 || 27–13–3 || 57 || 2005020643 OTL |- | 44 || January 14 || Los Angeles || 1 – 10 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 28–13–3 || 59 || 2005020662 W |- | 45 || January 16 || Buffalo || 3 – 1 || Edmonton || || Miller || 16,839 || 29–13–3 || 61 || 2005020676 W |- | 46 || January 19 || Buffalo || 1 – 4 || Vancouver || || Miller || 18,630 || 29–14–3 || 61 || 2005020694 L |- | 47 || January 21 || Buffalo || 1 – 4 || Calgary || || Biron || 19,289 || 29–15–3 || 61 || 2005020709 L |- | 48 || January 24 || Buffalo || 2 – 1 || NY Rangers || || Miller || 18,200 || 30–15–3 || 63 || 2005020725 W |- | 49 || January 26 || Buffalo || 8 – 4 || Toronto || || Miller || 19,477 || 31–15–3 || 65 || 2005020741 W |- | 50 || January 31 || Buffalo || 5 – 2 || Atlanta || || Miller || 14,021 || 32–15–3 || 67 || 2005020774 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; 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 || 2005020786 W |- | 52 || February 4 || Ottawa || 1 – 2 || Buffalo || SO || Miller || 17,451 || 34–15–3 || 71 || 2005020805 W |- | 53 || February 7 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || Montreal || OT || Miller || 21,273 || 35–15–3 || 73 || 2005020821 W |- | 54 || February 9 || Montreal || 3 – 2 || Buffalo || OT || Miller || 17,344 || 35–15–4 || 74 || 2005020835 OTL |- | 55 || February 11 || Florida || 3 – 5 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 36–15–4 || 76 || 2005020856 W |- | 56 || February 12 || Buffalo || 3 – 4 || Carolina || SO || Miller || 18,730 || 36–15–5 || 77 || 2005020860 OTL |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; 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 || 2005020871 L |- | 58 || March 3 || Toronto || 2 – 6 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 37–16–5 || 79 || 2005020889 W |- | 59 || March 4 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || Boston || || Biron || 16,065 || 38–16–5 || 81 || 2005020894 W |- | 60 || March 7 || Boston || 2 – 3 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,117 || 39–16–5 || 83 || 2005020914 W |- | 61 || March 9 || Tampa Bay || 5 – 8 || Buffalo || || Miller || 17,934 || 40–16–5 || 85 || 2005020929 W |- | 62 || March 11 || Buffalo || 6 – 5 || Philadelphia || || Biron || 19,717 || 41–16–5 || 87 || 2005020941 W |- | 63 || March 12 || Boston || 2 – 6 || Buffalo || || Biron || 18,690 || 42–16–5 || 89 || 2005020955 W |- | 64 || March 14 || Buffalo || 6 – 4 || Washington || || Miller || 14,386 || 43–16–5 || 91 || 2005020967 W |- | 65 || March 16 || Toronto || 1 – 3 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 44–16–5 || 93 || 2005020979 W |- | 66 || March 18 || Buffalo || 2 – 4 || Ottawa || || Miller || 19,947 || 44–17–5 || 93 || 2005020995 L |- | 67 || March 20 || Buffalo || 0 – 5 || Atlanta || || Biron || 14,133 || 44–18–5 || 93 || 2005021012 L |- | 68 || March 22 || Carolina || 4 – 3 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 44–19–5 || 93 || 2005021027 L |- | 69 || March 24 || Ottawa || 3 – 1 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 44–20–5 || 93 || 2005021043 L |- | 70 || March 25 || Buffalo || 4 – 5 || Boston || || Miller || 15,710 || 44–21–5 || 93 || 2005021046 L |- | 71 || March 27 || Buffalo || 4 – 5 || NY Rangers || SO || Miller || 18,200 || 44–21–6 || 94 || 2005021064 OTL |- | 72 || March 29 || Boston || 3 – 4 || Buffalo || || Miller || 16,261 || 45–21–6 || 96 || 2005021075 W |- | 73 || March 30 || Buffalo || 1 – 3 || New Jersey || || Biron || 12,425 || 45–22–6 || 96 || 2005021085 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; 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 || 2005021097 L |- | 75 || April 3 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || Toronto || SO || Biron || 19,320 || 46–23–6 || 98 || 2005021112 W |- | 76 || April 5 || Ottawa || 4 – 5 || Buffalo || OT || Biron || 17,622 || 47–23–6 || 100 || 2005021125 W |- | 77 || April 7 || Philadelphia || 4 – 2 || Buffalo || || Miller || 16,909 || 47–24–6 || 100 || 2005021144 L |- | 78 || April 8 || Buffalo || 6 – 2 || Ottawa || || Miller || 19,575 || 48–24–6 || 102 || 2005021151 W |- | 79 || April 12 || Montreal || 1 – 3 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,201 || 49–24–6 || 104 || 2005021181 W |- | 80 || April 15 || Buffalo || 4 – 2 || Montreal || || Miller || 21,273 || 50–24–6 || 106 || 2005021202 W |- | 81 || April 16 || Toronto || 0 – 6 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || 51–24–6 || 108 || 2005021212 W |- | 82 || April 18 || Buffalo || 4 – 0 || Carolina || || Biron || 18,730 || 52–24–6 || 110 || 2005021223 W |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black W #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black L #fff Overtime/shootout loss (1 point) 1px solid black OTL Playoffs background:#fff; border-top:#010101 5px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 5px solid; 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; 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 || 2005030141 W |- | 2 || April 24 || Philadelphia || 2 – 8 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || Sabres lead 2–0 || 2005030142 W |- | 3 || April 26 || Buffalo || 2 – 4 || Philadelphia || || Miller || 19,984 || Sabres lead 2–1 || 2005030143 L |- | 4 || April 28 || Buffalo || 4 – 5 || Philadelphia || || Miller || 20,092 || Series tied 2–2 || 2005030144 L |- | 5 || April 30 || Philadelphia || 0 – 3 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || Sabres lead 3–2 || 2005030145 W |- | 6 || May 2 || Buffalo || 7 – 1 || Philadelphia || || Miller || 19,967 || Sabres win 4–2 || 2005030146 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; 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 || 2005030211 W |- | 2 || May 8 || Buffalo || 2 – 1 || Ottawa || || Miller || 19,816 || Sabres lead 2–0 || 2005030212 W |- | 3 || May 10 || Ottawa || 2 – 3 || Buffalo || OT || Miller || 18,690 || Sabres lead 3–0 || 2005030213 W |- | 4 || May 11 || Ottawa || 2 – 1 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || Sabres lead 3–1 || 2005030214 L |- | 5 || May 13 || Buffalo || 3 – 2 || Ottawa || OT || Miller || 20,024 || Sabres win 4–1 || 2005030215 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; 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 || 2005030311 W |- | 2 || May 22 || Buffalo || 3 – 4 || Carolina || || Miller || 18,730 || Series tied 1–1 || 2005030312 L |- | 3 || May 24 || Carolina || 3 – 4 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || Sabres lead 2–1 || 2005030313 W |- | 4 || May 26 || Carolina || 4 – 0 || Buffalo || || Miller || 18,690 || Series tied 2–2 || 2005030314 L |- | 5 || May 28 || Buffalo || 3 – 4 || Carolina || OT || Miller || 18,730 || Hurricanes lead 3–2 || 2005030315 L |- | 6 || May 30 || Carolina || 1 – 2 || Buffalo || OT || Miller || 18,690 || Series tied 3–3 || 2005030316 W |- | 7 || June 1 || Buffalo || 2 – 4 || Carolina || || Miller || 18,730 || Hurricanes win 4–3 || 2005030317 L |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win 1px solid black W #fcc Loss 1px solid black L Player statistics Scoring 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. No. Jersey number Player Pos Position Regular season Playoffs GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/- Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/- Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes 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 Aleš Kotalík RW 82 25 37 62 −3 62 18 4 7 11 4 8 48 Daniel Briere Daniel Brière 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 Jiří Novotný (ice hockey) C 14 2 1 3 −5 0 4 0 0 0 −1 0 20 Daniel Paille LW 14 1 2 3 5 2 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 30 Ryan Miller G 48 0 2 2 -98 0 18 0 0 0 -98 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 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 43 Martin Biron G 35 0 1 1 -98 10 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 34 Jeff Jillson D 2 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 −4 0 35 Mika Noronen G 4 0 0 0 -98 2 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 76 Andrew Peters LW 28 0 0 0 −2 100 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 33 Doug Janik D -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 5 1 0 1 −2 2 Goaltending = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only. No. Jersey number Player Regular season Playoffs GP Games played W Wins L Losses OT Overtime losses SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on ice GP Games played W Wins L Losses SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on ice 30 Ryan Miller 48 30 14 3 1440 124 2.60 .914 1 2861:50 18 11 7 522 48 2.56 .908 1 1123 43 Martin Biron 35 21 8 3 980 93 2.88 .905 1 1934:11 — — — — — — — — — 35 Mika Noronen 4 1 2 0 77 12 4.27 .844 0 168:32 — — — — — — — — — Awards and records Awards TypeAward/honorRecipientRef League(annual) Jack Adams Award Lindy RuffRuff Wins Jack Adams Award https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/ruff-wins-jack-adams-award/c-437158 NHL.com December 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20221028231712/https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/ruff-wins-jack-adams-award/c-437158 October 28, 2022 June 22, 2006 League(in-season) NHL Defensive Player of the Week Ryan Miller (December 26)Marian Hossa Named NHL Offensive Player Of The Week http://www.atlantathrashers.com/View.aspx?CID01=db348391-b020-426a-85c9-56427fe40c96 Atlanta Thrashers October 29, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20060325160941/http://www.atlantathrashers.com/View.aspx?CID01=db348391-b020-426a-85c9-56427fe40c96 March 25, 2006 December 26, 2005 Ryan Miller (February 6)Defensive Player of the Week https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/defensive-player-of-the-week/c-437007 NHL.com December 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20221028231714/https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/defensive-player-of-the-week/c-437007 October 28, 2022 February 6, 2006 Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Thomas Vanek October 5, 20052005-06 NHL Debuts https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2006_debut.html Hockey-Reference.com October 14, 2024 Chris Thorburn December 2, 2005 Daniel Paille December 22, 2005 Nathan Paetsch January 7, 2006 Jiri Novotny January 12, 2006 Transactions 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.Hockey Transactions Search Results http://www.prosportstransactions.com/hockey/Search/SearchResults.php?Player=&Team=Sabres&BeginDate=2005-02-17&EndDate=2006-06-19&PlayerMovementChkBx=yes&submit=Search&start=0 Pro Sports Transactions June 22, 2022 Trades Date Details Ref 2005 07 30 To Calgary Flames 3rd-round pick in 2005 To Buffalo Sabres 3rd-round pick in 2005 4th-round pick in 2005Three defencemen, two goalies, two forwards and a Sutter http://www.calgaryflames.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=newsroom&file_num=0000000495 Calgary Flames June 23, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20051201035606/http://www.calgaryflames.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=newsroom&file_num=0000000495 December 1, 2005 July 30, 2005 the Flames traded two picks (Nos. 87 and 96) to Buffalo to move up to No. 74 To Washington Capitals 6th-round pick in 2006 To Buffalo Sabres Rights to Tim Kennedy Kennedy: One Step Closer https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/kennedy-one-step-closer/c-436873 NHL.com December 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20220622172413/https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/kennedy-one-step-closer/c-436873 June 22, 2022 August 24, 2005 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. 2005 08 25 To Calgary Flames 3rd-round pick in 2006 To Buffalo Sabres Toni LydmanSabres Acquire Lydman https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-acquire-lydman/c-436875 NHL.com December 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20220622163516/https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-acquire-lydman/c-436875 June 22, 2022 August 25, 2005 2005 10 04 To Chicago Blackhawks Milan Bartovic To Buffalo Sabres Michael LeightonLeighton, Bartovic dealt https://theahl.com/news/leighton-bartovic-dealt theahl.com June 22, 2022 October 4, 2005 2006 03 09 To Vancouver Canucks Mika Noronen To Buffalo Sabres 2nd-round pick in 2006Noronen Traded To Canucks https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/noronen-traded-to-canucks/c-437040 NHL.com December 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20190327181621/https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/noronen-traded-to-canucks/c-437040 March 27, 2019 March 8, 2006 Players acquired Date Player Former team Term Via Ref 2005 08 04 Teppo Numminen Dallas Stars 1-year Free agencyThursday roundup: Avs to keep Tanguay, Sauer https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2124324 ESPN.com June 22, 2022 August 4, 2005 Players lost Date Player New team ViaIn parentheses is the player's free agency group on August 1 if applicable.Free Agents List https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?page=05freeagents ESPN.com June 19, 2022 August 1, 2005 Ref 2005 02 24 Jason Botterill Retirement (UFA) Amerks’ Botterill retires https://theahl.com/news/amerks-botterill-retires theahl.com June 22, 2022 February 24, 2005 2005 08 03 Miroslav Satan New York Islanders Free agency (UFA) Oilers strike again, acquire Isles' Peca for York https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2123784 ESPN.com June 22, 2022 August 3, 2005 2005 08 08 Eric Boulton Atlanta Thrashers Free agency (UFA) Thrashers Sign Unrestricted Free Agent Forwards Eric Boulton, Ramzi Abid and Scott Barney http://www.atlantathrashers.com/View.aspx?CID01=3a082f01-953f-45d2-b28e-4ec34c157187 Atlanta Thrashers June 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20060325163332/http://www.atlantathrashers.com/View.aspx?CID01=3a082f01-953f-45d2-b28e-4ec34c157187 March 25, 2006 August 8, 2005 2005 08 18 Norm Milley Tampa Bay Lightning Free agency (VI) Lightning sign four https://theahl.com/news/lightning-sign-four-2 theahl.com June 22, 2022 August 18, 2005 2005 08 31 Brandon Smith Rochester Americans (AHL) Free agency (VI) AMERKS RE-SIGN SMITH & DUFRESNE http://www.amerks.com/PressReleases.aspx?news_id=518 Rochester Americans June 22, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20051119143450/http://www.amerks.com/PressReleases.aspx?news_id=518 November 19, 2005 August 31, 2005 2005 09 07 Todd Rohloff Tampa Bay Lightning Free agency (UFA) TRANSACTIONS https://www.courant.com/2005/09/08/transactions-1198/ Hartford Courant December 31, 2023 September 8, 2005 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING–Signed D Todd Rohloff to a one-year contract. 2005 09 10 Brad Brown Toronto Maple Leafs Free agency (UFA) Leafs move on from Marchment, ink D Brown https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2157706 ESPN.com June 22, 2022 September 10, 2005 2005 09 21 Tom Askey HIFK (Liiga) Free agency (VI) TOM ASKEY http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=431&hubname=nhl TSN.ca June 22, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20060913143225/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=431&hubname=nhl September 13, 2006 21-Sep-05: Signed with the HIFK Helsinki of the SM-Liiga (Finland). 2005 10 13 Ryan Jorde Danbury Trashers (UHL) Free agency (UFA) Danbury Trashers - United Hockey League - team transactions http://pointstreak.com/prostats/teamtransactions.html?teamid=34579&seasonid=862 Pointstreak Sports Technologies July 28, 2024 10/13/05 Jorde, Ryan (D) signed contract Signings Date Player Term Contract type Ref 2005 07 28 Clarke MacArthur 3-year Entry-level TRANSACTIONS https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/29/sports/transactions.html The New York Times June 22, 2022 July 29, 2005 BUFFALO SABRES--Signed C Clarke MacArthur to a three-year contract. 2005 07 29 Rory Fitzpatrick 1-year Option exercised TRANSACTIONS https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/30/sports/transactions.html The New York Times June 22, 2022 July 30, 2005 BUFFALO SABRES--Announced D Dmitri Kalinin exercised his one-year option. Exercised their one-year option on D Rory Fitzpatrick. Dmitri Kalinin 1-year Option exercised 2005 08 04 Taylor Pyatt 1-year Re-signing Taylor Pyatt Stats, News, Video, Bio, Highlights on TSN https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/player-bio/taylor-pyatt/bio TSN June 22, 2022 Aug 04, 2005 Re-signed as a restricted free agent by the Buffalo Sabres to a one-year contract. 2005 08 08 Mike Grier 1-year Re-signing Grier accepts one-year qualifying offer from Sabres https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2128657 ESPN.com June 22, 2022 August 8, 2005 2005 08 12 Martin Biron 1-year Re-signing Biron Accepts Qualifying Offer https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/biron-accepts-qualifying-offer/c-436865 NHL.com December 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20220622163518/https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/biron-accepts-qualifying-offer/c-436865 June 22, 2022 August 12, 2005 Brian Campbell 1-year Re-signing Miller and Campbell Accept Qualifying Offers https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/miller-and-campbell-accept-qualifying-offers/c-436864 NHL.com December 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20220622163520/https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/miller-and-campbell-accept-qualifying-offers/c-436864 June 22, 2022 August 12, 2005 Ryan Miller 1-year Re-signing 2005 08 15 Maxim Afinogenov 1-year Re-signing Eleven Players Accept Qualifying Offers https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/eleven-players-accept-qualifying-offers/c-436866 NHL.com December 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20220622163521/https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/eleven-players-accept-qualifying-offers/c-436866 June 22, 2022 August 15, 2005 Milan Bartovic 1-year Re-signing Daniel Briere 1-year Re-signing Tim Connolly 1-year Re-signing Jean-Pierre Dumont 1-year Re-signing Paul Gaustad 1-year Re-signing Jochen Hecht 3-year Re-signing Hecht Agrees to Three-Year Deal https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/hecht-agrees-to-three-year-deal/c-436867 NHL.com December 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20220622163517/https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/hecht-agrees-to-three-year-deal/c-436867 June 22, 2022 August 15, 2005 Jeff Jillson 1-year Re-signing Ales Kotalik 1-year Re-signing Jason Pominville 1-year Re-signing Michael Ryan 1-year Re-signing Henrik Tallinder 1-year Re-signing 2005 09 09 Jay McKee 1-year Re-signing McKee rejoins Sabres for one year at $1.6-million https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/mckee-rejoins-sabres-for-one-year-at-16-million/article986361/ The Globe and Mail June 22, 2022 September 10, 2005 2005 09 14 Sean McMorrow Re-signing SEAN MCMORROW http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2615&hubname= TSN.ca June 22, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20070515061323/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2615&hubname= May 15, 2007 14-Sep-05: Re-signed as a restricted free agent by the Buffalo Sabres. 2005 10 11 Mark Mancari 3-year Entry-level Mark Mancari Stats, News, Video, Bio, Highlights on TSN https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/player-bio/mark-mancari/bio TSN June 22, 2022 Oct 11, 2005 Signed by the Buffalo Sabres to a three-year contract. 2006 05 03 Drew Stafford 3-year Entry-level Sabres Sign Drew Stafford https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-sign-drew-stafford/c-437107 NHL.com December 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20220622163515/https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-sign-drew-stafford/c-437107 June 22, 2022 May 3, 2006 2006 06 05 Mike Card multi-year Entry-level Sabres Sign Four Players https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-sign-four-players/c-437148 NHL.com December 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20220622163519/https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-sign-four-players/c-437148 June 22, 2022 June 5, 2006 Michael Funk multi-year Entry-level Dylan Hunter multi-year Entry-level Patrick Kaleta multi-year Entry-level Draft picks 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:2005 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2005e.html www.hockeydb.com October 10, 2024 Round # Player Nationality NHL team College/junior/club team (league) 1 13 Marek Zagrapan (C) 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 2005–06 NHL season Notes References Buffalo Sabres 2005-06 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000332006.html www.hockeydb.com October 14, 2022 2005-06 Buffalo Sabres Roster and Statistics https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/2006.html Hockey-Reference.com October 14, 2022 Buff Category:Buffalo Sabres seasons Buffalo Buffalo