2002–03 Buffalo Sabres season

NHL hockey team season March 2026 April 2013 NHL 2002–03 2002 Buffalo Sabres Eastern 12th Northeast 5th 27–37–10–8 18–18–5–2 9–27–5–6 190 219 Darcy Regier Lindy Ruff Stu Barnes (Oct.–Mar.) Vacant (Mar.–Apr.) Rob Ray (Oct.–Mar.)Rhett Warrener HSBC Arena 13,776 Rochester Americans Miroslav Satan (26) Miroslav Satan (49) Miroslav Satan (75) Jochen Hecht and Curtis Brown (+4) Eric Boulton (178) Martin Biron (17) Mika Noronen (2.42) The 2002–03 Buffalo Sabres season was the 33rd season of operation 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 Sabres failed to qualify for the playoffs for a second consecutive season. The 72 points accumulated in the regular season was the lowest total for the franchise since the 1986–87 season. Regular season Final standings BUF BUF Schedule and results background:#fff; border-top:#010101 5px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 5px solid; 2002–03 regular season2002-03 Buffalo Sabres Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/2003_games.html Hockey-Reference.com November 21, 2022 y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; October: 3–5–2–0 (home: 2–2–1–0; road: 1–3–1–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |1||October 10, 2002||5–1 || align="left"| New York Islanders (2002–03) ||1–0–0–0 || 2002020004 W |- |2||October 12, 2002||6–1 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (2002–03) ||2–0–0–0 || 2002020019 W |- |3||October 13, 2002||0–3 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03) ||2–1–0–0 || 2002020031 L |- |4||October 17, 2002||4–4 OT|| align="left"| New York Rangers (2002–03) ||2–1–1–0 || 2002020047 T |- |5||October 19, 2002||2–3 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03) ||2–2–1–0 || 2002020062 L |- |6||October 22, 2002||2–1 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) ||3–2–1–0 || 2002020082 W |- |7||October 25, 2002||1–2 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (2002–03) ||3–3–1–0 || 2002020103 L |- |8||October 26, 2002||2–5 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) ||3–4–1–0 || 2002020114 L |- |9||October 29, 2002||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (2002–03) ||3–4–2–0 || 2002020137 T |- |10||October 31, 2002||0–3 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (2002–03) ||3–5–2–0 || 2002020149 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; November: 1–9–2–1 (home: 1–4–1–0; road: 0–5–1–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |11||November 1, 2002||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (2002–03) ||3–5–3–0 || 2002020154 T |- |12||November 3, 2002||2–3 || align="left"| @ Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03) ||3–6–3–0 || 2002020168 L |- |13||November 7, 2002||0–2 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) ||3–7–3–0 || 2002020190 L |- |14||November 9, 2002||4–6 || align="left"| Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) ||3–8–3–0 || 2002020203 L |- |15||November 12, 2002||3–4 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (2002–03) ||3–9–3–0 || 2002020222 L |- |16||November 15, 2002||2–3 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) ||3–10–3–0 || 2002020242 L |- |17||November 16, 2002||1–4 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (2002–03) ||3–11–3–0 || 2002020253 L |- |18||November 19, 2002||3–4 OT|| align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (2002–03) ||3–11–3–1 || 2002020273 OTL |- |19||November 22, 2002||5–4 || align="left"| Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03) ||4–11–3–1 || 2002020292 W |- |20||November 23, 2002||1–4 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (2002–03) ||4–12–3–1 || 2002020299 L |- |21||November 27, 2002||1–1 OT|| align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) ||4–12–4–1 || 2002020321 T |- |22||November 29, 2002||1–4 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) ||4–13–4–1 || 2002020339 L |- |23||November 30, 2002||1–3 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) ||4–14–4–1 || 2002020347 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; December: 4–8–1–1 (home: 3–4–1–1; road: 1–4–0–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |24||December 4, 2002||4–0 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03) ||5–14–4–1 || 2002020373 W |- |25||December 6, 2002||4–1 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (2002–03) ||6–14–4–1 || 2002020386 W |- |26||December 7, 2002||4–3 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (2002–03) ||7–14–4–1 || 2002020396 W |- |27||December 10, 2002||2–4 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (2002–03) ||7–15–4–1 || 2002020413 L |- |28||December 13, 2002||1–1 OT|| align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03) ||7–15–5–1 || 2002020434 T |- |29||December 14, 2002||0–2 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) ||7–16–5–1 || 2002020442 L |- |30||December 18, 2002||4–2 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (2002–03) ||8–16–5–1 || 2002020468 W |- |31||December 20, 2002||0–3 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (2002–03) ||8–17–5–1 || 2002020485 L |- |32||December 21, 2002||2–6 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (2002–03) ||8–18–5–1 || 2002020493 L |- |33||December 23, 2002||2–5 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) ||8–19–5–1 || 2002020510 L |- |34||December 26, 2002||2–3 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (2002–03) ||8–20–5–1 || 2002020515 L |- |35||December 28, 2002||3–4 || align="left"| Minnesota Wild (2002–03) ||8–21–5–1 || 2002020531 L |- |36||December 30, 2002||3–4 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (2002–03) ||8–22–5–1 || 2002020550 L |- |37||December 31, 2002||0–1 OT|| align="left"| New York Islanders (2002–03) ||8–22–5–2 || 2002020557 OTL |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; January: 7–2–2–2 (home: 3–1–1–0; road: 4–1–1–2) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |38||January 3, 2003||6–3 || align="left"| Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) ||9–22–5–2 || 2002020576 W |- |39||January 4, 2003||2–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (2002–03) ||10–22–5–2 || 2002020585 W |- |40||January 7, 2003||2–3 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) ||10–23–5–2 || 2002020604 L |- |41||January 10, 2003||4–2 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (2002–03) ||11–23–5–2 || 2002020627 W |- |42||January 11, 2003||3–2 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (2002–03) ||12–23–5–2 || 2002020636 W |- |43||January 14, 2003||1–0 || align="left"| @ Minnesota Wild (2002–03) ||13–23–5–2 || 2002020659 W |- |44||January 16, 2003||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (2002–03) ||13–23–6–2 || 2002020676 T |- |45||January 18, 2003||1–0 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03) ||14–23–6–2 || 2002020691 W |- |46||January 21, 2003||0–0 OT|| align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) ||14–23–7–2 || 2002020706 T |- |47||January 24, 2003||4–0 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) ||15–23–7–2 || 2002020725 W |- |48||January 25, 2003||3–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (2002–03) ||15–23–7–3 || 2002020737 OTL |- |49||January 27, 2003||1–5 || align="left"| Nashville Predators (2002–03) ||15–24–7–3 || 2002020748 L |- |50||January 30, 2003||1–2 OT|| align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (2002–03) ||15–24–7–4 || 2002020775 OTL |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; February: 4–7–1–1 (home: 3–3–0–0; road: 1–4–1–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |51||February 4, 2003||1–4 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (2002–03) ||15–25–7–4 || 2002020783 L |- |52||February 7, 2003||2–4 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (2002–03) ||15–26–7–4 || 2002020803 L |- |53||February 8, 2003||1–3 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (2002–03) ||15–27–7–4 || 2002020815 L |- |54||February 11, 2003||2–3 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (2002–03) ||15–28–7–4 || 2002020829 L |- |55||February 13, 2003||2–4 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (2002–03) ||15–29–7–4 || 2002020846 L |- |56||February 15, 2003||5–4 || align="left"| New York Rangers (2002–03) ||16–29–7–4 || 2002020860 W |- |57||February 17, 2003||3–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) ||16–29–7–5 || 2002020873 OTL |- |58||February 19, 2003||2–1 OT|| align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (2002–03) ||17–29–7–5 || 2002020887 W |- |59||February 21, 2003||1–4 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (2002–03) ||17–30–7–5 || 2002020903 L |- |60||February 23, 2003||4–1 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) ||18–30–7–5 || 2002020921 W |- |61||February 24, 2003||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (2002–03) ||18–30–8–5 || 2002020928 T |- |62||February 26, 2003||2–3 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (2002–03) ||18–31–8–5 || 2002020941 L |- |63||February 28, 2003||5–3 || align="left"| Dallas Stars (2002–03) ||19–31–8–5 || 2002020956 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; March: 7–5–1–3 (home: 5–2–0–1; road: 2–3–1–2) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |64||March 1, 2003||1–2 OT|| align="left"| @ New York Islanders (2002–03) ||19–31–8–6 || 2002020965 OTL |- |65||March 4, 2003||1–2 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (2002–03) ||19–32–8–6 || 2002020980 L |- |66||March 6, 2003||4–2 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) ||20–32–8–6 || 2002020995 W |- |67||March 8, 2003||4–0 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (2002–03) ||21–32–8–6 || 2002021018 W |- |68||March 9, 2003||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) ||21–32–9–6 || 2002021023 T |- |69||March 12, 2003||2–3 OT|| align="left"| Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) ||21–32–9–7 || 2002021040 OTL |- |70||March 14, 2003||2–4 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) ||21–33–9–7 || 2002021055 L |- |71||March 15, 2003||3–5 || align="left"| @ Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) ||21–34–9–7 || 2002021066 L |- |72||March 18, 2003||5–2 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) ||22–34–9–7 || 2002021084 W |- |73||March 19, 2003||0–3 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (2002–03) ||22–35–9–7 || 2002021092 L |- |74||March 22, 2003||2–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) ||22–35–9–8 || 2002021112 OTL |- |75||March 24, 2003||4–3 OT|| align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (2002–03) ||23–35–9–8 || 2002021128 W |- |76||March 26, 2003||2–1 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (2002–03) ||24–35–9–8 || 2002021142 W |- |77||March 28, 2003||4–1 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (2002–03) ||25–35–9–8 || 2002021156 W |- |78||March 29, 2003||3–1 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) ||26–35–9–8 || 2002021168 W |- |79||March 31, 2003||0–3 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (2002–03) ||26–36–9–8 || 2002021184 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; April: 1–1–1–0 (home: 1–0–1–0; road: 0–1–0–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |80||April 2, 2003||4–3 || align="left"| Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) ||27–36–9–8 || 2002021193 W |- |81||April 5, 2003||5–8 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (2002–03) ||27–37–9–8 || 2002021215 L |- |82||April 6, 2003||2–2 OT|| align="left"| New Jersey Devils (2002–03) ||27–37–10–8 || 2002021223 T |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black W #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black L #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black T #fff Overtime loss (1 point) 1px solid black OTL Player statistics Scoring Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only. = 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 GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/- Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes 81 Miroslav Satan Miroslav Šatan LW 79 26 49 75 −3 20 77 Chris Gratton C 66 15 29 44 −5 86 12 Ales Kotalik Aleš Kotalík RW 68 21 14 35 −2 30 17 Jean-Pierre Dumont RW 76 14 21 35 −14 44 41 Stu Barnes C 68 11 21 32 −13 20 37 Curtis Brown ice hockey C 74 15 16 31 4 40 24 Taylor Pyatt LW 78 14 14 28 −8 38 71 Jochen Hecht LW 49 10 16 26 4 30 18 Tim Connolly C 80 12 13 25 −28 32 45 Dmitri Kalinin D 65 8 13 21 −7 57 44 Alexei Zhitnik D 70 3 18 21 −5 85 51 Brian Campbell D 65 2 17 19 −8 20 22 Adam Mair C 79 6 11 17 −4 146 3 James Patrick ice hockey D 69 4 12 16 −3 26 10 Henrik Tallinder D 46 3 10 13 −3 28 48 Daniel Briere Daniel Brière C 14 7 5 12 1 12 25 Vaclav Varada Václav Varaďa RW 44 7 4 11 −2 23 61 Maxim Afinogenov RW 35 5 6 11 −12 21 4 Rhett Warrener D 50 0 9 9 1 63 26 Eric Boulton LW 58 1 5 6 1 178 28 Jason Botterill LW 17 1 4 5 1 14 74 Jay McKee D 59 0 5 5 −16 49 8 Rory Fitzpatrick D 36 1 3 4 −7 16 16 Chris Taylor ice hockey C 11 1 3 4 −1 2 5 Jason Woolley D 14 0 3 3 −1 29 55 Denis Hamel LW 25 2 0 2 −4 17 19 Norm Milley RW 8 0 2 2 −2 6 15 Milan Bartovic Milan Bartovič RW 3 1 0 1 0 0 43 Martin Biron G 54 0 1 1 12 60 Paul Gaustad C 1 0 0 0 0 0 21 Radoslav Hecl D 14 0 0 0 0 2 6 Doug Houda D 1 0 0 0 −2 2 33 Doug Janik D 6 0 0 0 1 2 29 Jaroslav Kristek RW 6 0 0 0 −2 4 23 Sean McMorrow LW 1 0 0 0 0 0 30 Ryan Miller G 15 0 0 0 0 35 Mika Noronen G 16 0 0 0 0 32 Rob Ray RW 41 0 0 0 −5 92 Goaltending No. Jersey number Player Regular season GP Games played W Wins L Losses T Ties SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on ice 43 Martin Biron 54 17 28 6 1468 135 2.56 .908 4 3169:33 30 Ryan Miller 15 6 8 1 410 40 2.63 .902 1 912:19 35 Mika Noronen 16 4 9 3 411 36 2.42 .912 1 891:21 Awards and records Awards TypeAward/honorRecipientRef League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Miroslav SatanSatan was an injury replacement for Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs.Sabres Going to the All Star Game http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/01.28.03.html Buffalo Sabres December 22, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031010220214/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/01.28.03.html October 10, 2003 January 28, 20032003 NHL All-Star Game Rosters https://www.hockey-reference.com/allstar/NHL_2003_roster.html Hockey-Reference.com August 29, 2024 NHL Player of the Week Miroslav Satan (December 9)Sabres Satan Named Player of the Week http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/12.09.02.html Buffalo Sabres December 22, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031010232955/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/12.09.02.html October 10, 2003 December 9, 2002 NHL Rookie of the Month Ales Kotalik (January)Sabres Kotalik Named Rookie of the Month http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/01.31.03.html Buffalo Sabres December 22, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030811090041/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/01.31.03.html August 11, 2003 January 31, 2003 NHL YoungStars Game selection Ryan MillerNHL - 2003 YoungStars Rosters https://www.espn.com/nhl/allstar2003/s/youngstars.html ESPN.com December 21, 2022 January 18, 2003 Taylor Pyatt Henrik Tallinder Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Ryan Miller November 19, 20022002-03 NHL Debuts https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2003_debut.html Hockey-Reference.com October 13, 2024 Radoslav Hecl November 30, 2002 Jaroslav Kristek January 10, 2003 Doug Janik March 14, 2003 Sean McMorrow March 22, 2003 Paul Gaustad March 24, 2003 Milan Bartovic April 2, 2003 Transactions The Sabres were involved in the following transactions from June 14, 2002, the day after the deciding game of the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 9, 2003, the day of the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals.Hockey Transactions Search Results https://www.prosportstransactions.com/hockey/Search/SearchResults.php?Player=&Team=Sabres&BeginDate=2002-06-14&EndDate=2003-06-09&PlayerMovementChkBx=yes&submit=Search&start=0 www.prosportstransactions.com November 25, 2022 Trades Date Details Ref 2002 06 22 To Buffalo Sabres 1st-round pick in 2002 To Columbus Blue Jackets Rights to Mike Pandolfo 1st-round pick in 2002Schultz Janet Sabres Trade Kozlov Acquire Jochen Hecht http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/06.22.02.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030819221922/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/06.22.02.html August 19, 2003 June 22, 2002 To Buffalo Sabres 2nd-round pick in 2002 3rd-round pick in 2002 To Atlanta Thrashers Vyacheslav Kozlov 2nd-round pick in 2002 To Buffalo Sabres 2nd-round pick in 2002 To Nashville Predators 3rd-round pick in 2002 2nd-round pick in 2003 To Buffalo Sabres Jochen Hecht To Edmonton Oilers Atlanta’s 2nd-round pick in 2002 Nashville’s 2nd-round pick in 2002 2002 07 24 To Buffalo Sabres Adam Mair 5th-round pick in 2003 To Los Angeles Kings Erik RasmussenSabres Acquire Adam Mair From The LA Kings For Erik Rasmussen http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/07.24.02.mair.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031014015230/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/07.24.02.mair.html October 14, 2003 July 24, 2002 2002 11 16 To Buffalo Sabres Future considerations To Detroit Red Wings Jason WoolleySabres Trade Jason Woolley to Detroit http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/11.16.02.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031010232407/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/11.16.02.html October 10, 2003 November 16, 2002 2003 02 25 To Buffalo Sabres Rights to Jakub Klepis To Ottawa Senators Vaclav Varada 5th-round pick in 2003Sabres Acquire Jakub Klepis from Ottawa Senators for Vaclav Varada http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/02.25.03.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031010222955/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/02.25.03.html October 10, 2003 February 25, 2003 2003 03 10 To Buffalo Sabres Future considerations To Ottawa Senators Rob RaySabres Trade Rob Ray to the Ottawa Senators http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/03.10.03ray.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031010224306/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/03.10.03ray.html October 10, 2003 March 10, 2003 To Buffalo Sabres Rights to Michael Ryan 2nd-round pick in 2003 To Dallas Stars Stu BarnesSabres Acquire Mike Ryan and Second Round Selection from Dallas in Exchange for Stu Barnes http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/03.10.03barnes.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031010223412/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/03.10.03barnes.html October 10, 2003 March 10, 2003 2003 03 11 To Buffalo Sabres Daniel Briere 3rd-round pick in 2004 To Phoenix Coyotes Chris Gratton 4th-round pick in 2004Sabres Acquire Daniel Briere From Phoenix in Exchange for Chris Gratton http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/03.11.03.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031010224337/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/03.11.03.html October 10, 2003 March 11, 2003 Players acquired Date Player Former team Term Via Ref 2002 08 07 Peter Ratchuk Pittsburgh Penguins Free agencySabres Sign Fitzpatrick and Ratchuk http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/08.07.02.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031014110723/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/08.07.02.html October 14, 2003 August 7, 2002 2002 08 12 Jason Botterill Calgary Flames Free agencySabres Sign Jason Botterill and Francois Methot http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/08.08.02_2.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031014111046/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/08.08.02_2.html October 14, 2003 August 8, 2002 Players lost Date Player New team ViaIn parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.NHL FREE-AGENT LIST https://www.heraldextra.com/sports/2002/jul/02/nhl/ Daily Herald November 25, 2022 July 2, 2002 Ref 2002 06 14 Christian Matte ZSC Lions (NLA) Free agency (VI) m/mattech01 Christian Matte, retrieved November 28, 2022 2002 07 10 Richard Smehlik Atlanta Thrashers Free agency (III) +SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 10+ https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/07/10/SPORTS-TRANSACTIONS-FOR-WEDNESDAY-JULY-10/6101026273600/ UPI November 28, 2022 July 10, 2002 Atlanta Thrashers -- Signed free agent defenseman Richard Smehlik. 2002 07 29 Darren Van Oene Boston Bruins Free agency (UFA) Bruins Re-Sign P.J. Axelsson and Sign Darren Van Oene http://www.bostonbruins.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=715 Boston Bruins November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20040314052840/http://www.bostonbruins.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=715 March 14, 2004 July 29, 2002 2002 08 03 Bob Corkum Retirement (III) c/corkubo01 Bob Corkum, retrieved November 28, 2022 2002 08 18 Mike Hurlbut Retirement (VI) h/hurlbmi01 Mike Hurlbut, retrieved November 28, 2022 2002 09 10 Bob Essensa Retirement (III) e/essenbo01 Bob Essensa, retrieved November 28, 2022 N/A Mario Larocque Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) Free agency (UFA) PENGUINS OPEN TRAINING CAMP TOMORROW AT THE FIRST UNION ARENA AT CASEY PLAZA http://www.wbspenguins.com/Newsroom/TeamNews/Documents/09222002b%20Wilkes-Barre%20Camp%20Starts%20Monday.asp Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030217150808/http://www.wbspenguins.com/Newsroom/TeamNews/Documents/09222002b%20Wilkes-Barre%20Camp%20Starts%20Monday.asp February 17, 2003 September 22, 2002 2002 10 02 Luc Theoret Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (CHL) Free agency (UFA) Mudbugs Announce Affiliation with AHL's Rochester Americans https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/mudbugs-announce-affiliation-with-ahls-rochester-americans/n-1975786 OurSports Central November 28, 2022 October 2, 2002 2002 12 03 Jeremy Adduono Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) Free agency (II) Sound Tigers Sign Adduono https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/sound-tigers-sign-adduono/n-1979883 OurSports Central November 28, 2022 en December 3, 2002 Signings Date Player Term Contract type Ref 2002 06 27 Curtis Brown 1-year Option exercised Sabres Pick Up Contract Options and Extend Qualifying Offers http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/06.27.02.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031014013947/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/06.27.02.html October 14, 2003 June 27, 2002 Jay McKee 1-year Option exercised 2002 07 03 Rob Ray 1-year Re-signing Sabres Agree To Terms With Rob Ray http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/07.03.02.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031014014317/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/07.03.02.html October 14, 2003 July 3, 2002 2002 07 12 Mika Noronen multi-year Re-signing Sabres Agree To Terms With Goaltender Mika Noronen http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/07.12.02.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031014014933/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/07.12.02.html October 14, 2003 July 12, 2002 2002 07 25 James Patrick 2-year Re-signing Sabres Agree to Terms with James Patrick http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/07.25.02.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030819220614/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/07.25.02.html August 19, 2003 July 25, 2002 2002 07 30 Tim Connolly 1-year Re-signing Sabres Agree to Terms with Tim Connolly http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/07.30.02.connolly.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031014111025/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/07.30.02.connolly.html October 14, 2003 July 30, 2002 2002 07 31 Brian Campbell Re-signing Sabres Sign Warrener, Gratton, Campbell http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/07.31.02_warrener_grat_cam.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030819220709/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/07.31.02_warrener_grat_cam.html August 19, 2003 July 31, 2002 Chris Gratton Re-signing Rhett Warrener Re-signing 2002 08 07 Rory Fitzpatrick Re-signing 2002 08 08 Martin Biron 2-year Re-signing Sabres Sign Goaltender Martin Biron http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/08.08.02_3.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031014111147/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/08.08.02_3.html October 14, 2003 August 8, 2002 Radoslav Hecl Entry-level Sabres Sign Jason Pominville And Radoslav Hecl http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/08.08.02.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031014111307/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/08.08.02.html October 14, 2003 August 7, 2002 Jason Pominville Entry-level 2002 08 12 Francois Methot Re-signing 2002 08 26 Ryan Miller 2-year Entry-level Sabres Sign Ryan Miller http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/08.26.02.html Buffalo Sabers November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031010230436/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/08.26.02.html October 10, 2003 August 26, 2002 2002 09 04 Maxim Afinogenov multi-year Re-signing Sabres Agree To Terms with Maxim Afinogenov http://sabres.com/news/archives02/09.04.02.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030721003840/http://sabres.com/news/archives02/09.04.02.html July 21, 2003 September 4, 2002 2002 09 18 Jiri Novotny multi-year Entry-level Sabres Sign 2001 1st Round Draft Pick http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/09.18.02.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031010231859/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/09.18.02.html October 10, 2003 September 18, 2002 2002 10 08 Vaclav Varada Re-signing Sabres Agree To Terms With Vaclav Varada http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/10.08.02.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20031010231124/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives02/10.08.02.html October 10, 2003 October 4, 2002 2003 05 28 Derek Roy Entry-level BUFFALO SABRES SIGN MEMORIAL CUP MVP DEREK ROY http://www.sabres.com/news/archives/05.28.03.html Buffalo Sabres November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030811081731/http://www.sabres.com/news/archives/05.28.03.html August 11, 2003 May 28, 2003 Chris Thorburn Entry-level Draft picks Buffalo's draft picks at the 2002 NHL entry draft held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario.2002 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2002e.html hockeyDB.com December 23, 2022 Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)111Keith BallardUniversity of Minnesota (WCHA)120Daniel PailleGuelph Storm (OHL)376Michael TessierAcadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)382John AdamsBoston College (Hockey East)4108Jakub HulvaHC Vitkovice Jr. (Czech Republic)4121Marty MagersOmaha Lancers (USHL)6178Maxim ShchevyevElemash Elektrostal (Russia)7208Radoslav HeclSlovan Bratislava (Slovakia)8241Dennis WidemanLondon Knights (OHL)9271Martin CizekSlavia Prague Jr. (Czech Republic) See also 2002–03 NHL season Notes References Buffalo Sabres 2002-03 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000332003.html www.hockeydb.com December 12, 2022 2002-03 Buffalo Sabres Roster and Statistics https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/2003.html Hockey-Reference.com December 12, 2022 Buff Category:Buffalo Sabres seasons Buffalo Buffalo