1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season

NHL hockey team season March 2026 August 2023 NHL 1996–97 1996 Buffalo Sabres Eastern 2nd Northeast 1st 40–30–12 24–11–6 16–19–6 237 208 John Muckler Ted Nolan Pat LaFontaine Marine Midland Arena 16,911 Rochester AmericansSouth Carolina Stingrays Donald Audette (28) Garry Galley (34) Derek Plante (53) Michael Peca (+26) Rob Ray (286) Dominik Hasek (37) Dominik Hasek (2.27) yes The 1996–97 Buffalo Sabres season was the 27th 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 was the first season in the newly constructed Marine Midland Arena. The Sabres also underwent a drastic uniform change, replacing the blue and gold colors and classic crest with a black and red color scheme and new white buffalo-head logo. The Sabres won their first Northeast Division title, their first division title in 16 years. Regular season On January 12, 1997, Jason Dawe scored just ten seconds into the overtime period to give the Sabres a 3–2 road win over the Phoenix Coyotes.http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1997-01-13/sports/9701130142_1_jason-dawe-lindgren-overtime https://archive.today/20140110100406/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1997-01-13/sports/9701130142_1_jason-dawe-lindgren-overtime dead January 10, 2014 Top Orlando News, Weather, Sports, Entertainment It would prove to be the fastest overtime goal scored during the 1996–97 NHL regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1997_games.html 1996-97 NHL Schedule and Results The Sabres allowed the fewest shorthanded goals (4) and scored the most shorthanded goals (16) in the NHL. The Sabres' power play struggled, as they finished 26th in power-play percentage, with 13.19% (43 for 326).https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1997.html 1996-97 NHL Summary The Sabres were also shut out a league-high 10 times during the regular season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/1997_games.html 1996-97 Buffalo Sabres Schedule and Results Season standings BUF BUF Playoffs 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs The Sabres defeated the Ottawa Senators in the first round. The series was played to overtime in Game 7. Derek Plante scored the series clinching goal in overtime. The Sabres then lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in five games in the second round. Schedule and results Regular season background:#fff; border-top:#010101 5px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 5px solid; 1996–97 regular season1996-97 Buffalo Sabres Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/1997_games.html Hockey-Reference.com July 16, 2023 y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; October: 5–6–0 (home: 3–2–0; road: 2–4–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |1||October 4, 1996||3–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||0–1–0 || 1996020002 L |- |2||October 6, 1996||0–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||0–2–0 || 1996020017 L |- |3||October 9, 1996||2–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||1–2–0 || 1996020033 W |- |4||October 12, 1996||1–6 || style="text-align:left;"| Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||1–3–0 || 1996020044 L |- |5||October 15, 1996||0–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||1–4–0 || 1996020059 L |- |6||October 17, 1996||4–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||2–4–0 || 1996020069 W |- |7||October 18, 1996||4–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||3–4–0 || 1996020078 W |- |8||October 24, 1996||6–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||4–4–0 || 1996020106 W |- |9||October 26, 1996||6–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||5–4–0 || 1996020115 W |- |10||October 27, 1996||4–6 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Rangers (1996–97) ||5–5–0 || 1996020125 L |- |11||October 30, 1996||0–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||5–6–0 || 1996020141 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; November: 8–5–1 (home: 4–1–0; road: 4–4–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |12||November 1, 1996||4–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||6–6–0 || 1996020151 W |- |13||November 2, 1996||0–0 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||6–6–1 || 1996020163 T |- |14||November 7, 1996||2–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||6–7–1 || 1996020184 L |- |15||November 9, 1996||3–4 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||6–8–1 || 1996020195 L |- |16||November 11, 1996||3–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||7–8–1 || 1996020207 W |- |17||November 12, 1996||0–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||7–9–1 || 1996020212 L |- |18||November 14, 1996||5–4 || style="text-align:left;"| Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||8–9–1 || 1996020223 W |- |19||November 19, 1996||3–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||8–10–1 || 1996020255 L |- |20||November 21, 1996||6–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) ||9–10–1 || 1996020264 W |- |21||November 23, 1996||3–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||10–10–1 || 1996020275 W |- |22||November 26, 1996||3–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||10–11–1 || 1996020289 L |- |23||November 27, 1996||3–0 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||11–11–1 || 1996020297 W |- |24||November 29, 1996||3–0 || style="text-align:left;"| Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||12–11–1 || 1996020307 W |- |25||November 30, 1996||3–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Islanders (1996–97) ||13–11–1 || 1996020316 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; December: 7–4–2 (home: 4–2–1; road: 3–2–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |26||December 4, 1996||6–7 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||13–12–1 || 1996020333 L |- |27||December 6, 1996||1–1 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||13–12–2 || 1996020346 T |- |28||December 7, 1996||4–6 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||13–13–2 || 1996020354 L |- |29||December 11, 1996||3–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||14–13–2 || 1996020375 W |- |30||December 13, 1996||0–3 || style="text-align:left;"| New York Rangers (1996–97) ||14–14–2 || 1996020386 L |- |31||December 14, 1996||4–0 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||15–14–2 || 1996020392 W |- |32||December 18, 1996||5–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||16–14–2 || 1996020414 W |- |33||December 20, 1996||6–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||17–14–2 || 1996020425 W |- |34||December 21, 1996||3–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||18–14–2 || 1996020435 W |- |35||December 23, 1996||0–0 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||18–14–3 || 1996020448 T |- |36||December 26, 1996||5–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||19–14–3 || 1996020456 W |- |37||December 28, 1996||0–2 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||19–15–3 || 1996020470 L |- |38||December 31, 1996||6–5 || style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||20–15–3 || 1996020490 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; January: 7–4–2 (home: 5–2–1; road: 2–2–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |39||January 3, 1997||2–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||20–15–4 || 1996020507 T |- |40||January 5, 1997||5–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||21–15–4 || 1996020522 W |- |41||January 7, 1997||1–1 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||21–15–5 || 1996020533 T |- |42||January 9, 1997||3–6 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||21–16–5 || 1996020547 L |- |43||January 10, 1997||2–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||21–17–5 || 1996020552 L |- |44||January 12, 1997||3–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||22–17–5 || 1996020563 W |- |45||January 15, 1997||2–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Islanders (1996–97) ||23–17–5 || 1996020579 W |- |46||January 20, 1997||2–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||24–17–5 || 1996020587 W |- |47||January 22, 1997||6–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||25–17–5 || 1996020597 W |- |48||January 24, 1997||1–3 || style="text-align:left;"| Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||25–18–5 || 1996020611 L |- |49||January 25, 1997||1–5 || style="text-align:left;"| Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||25–19–5 || 1996020618 L |- |50||January 29, 1997||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||26–19–5 || 1996020637 W |- |51||January 31, 1997||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||27–19–5 || 1996020651 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; February: 5–1–5 (home: 4–0–4; road: 1–1–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |52||February 2, 1997||2–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||27–19–6 || 1996020665 T |- |53||February 4, 1997||1–1 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||27–19–7 || 1996020676 T |- |54||February 6, 1997||1–1 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||27–19–8 || 1996020687 T |- |55||February 8, 1997||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||28–19–8 || 1996020700 W |- |56||February 9, 1997||2–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||29–19–8 || 1996020705 W |- |57||February 12, 1997||2–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||29–19–9 || 1996020718 T |- |58||February 16, 1997||6–2 || style="text-align:left;"| San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||30–19–9 || 1996020745 W |- |59||February 18, 1997||5–5 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||30–19–10 || 1996020755 T |- |60||February 21, 1997||5–2 || style="text-align:left;"| New York Islanders (1996–97) ||31–19–10 || 1996020772 W |- |61||February 23, 1997||5–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||32–19–10 || 1996020783 W |- |62||February 27, 1997||1–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||32–20–10 || 1996020805 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; March: 6–6–1 (home: 3–2–0; road: 3–4–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |63||March 1, 1997||3–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||33–20–10 || 1996020816 W |- |64||March 5, 1997||4–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||34–20–10 || 1996020837 W |- |65||March 8, 1997||3–3 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||34–20–11 || 1996020855 T |- |66||March 9, 1997||1–4 || style="text-align:left;"| New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||34–21–11 || 1996020862 L |- |67||March 11, 1997||3–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||35–21–11 || 1996020904 W |- |68||March 15, 1997||7–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||36–21–11 || 1996020899 W |- |69||March 17, 1997||5–1 || style="text-align:left;"| Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||37–21–11 || 1996020236 W |- |70||March 18, 1997||3–5 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||37–22–11 || 1996020914 L |- |71||March 21, 1997||4–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||38–22–11 || 1996020931 W |- |72||March 22, 1997||2–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||38–23–11 || 1996020939 L |- |73||March 26, 1997||2–3 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| New York Islanders (1996–97) ||38–24–11 || 1996020956 L |- |74||March 28, 1997||1–2 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||38–25–11 || 1996020968 L |- |75||March 30, 1997||2–3 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||38–26–11 || 1996020982 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; April: 2–4–1 (home: 1–2–0; road: 1–2–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |76||April 1, 1997||1–1 OT|| style="text-align:left;"| @ New York Rangers (1996–97) ||38–26–12 || 1996020987 T |- |77||April 2, 1997||0–2 || style="text-align:left;"| Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||38–27–12 || 1996020994 L |- |78||April 4, 1997||5–1 || style="text-align:left;"| New York Rangers (1996–97) ||39–27–12 || 1996021006 W |- |79||April 7, 1997||2–4 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||39–28–12 || 1996021023 L |- |80||April 10, 1997||5–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||40–28–12 || 1996021040 W |- |81||April 12, 1997||0–1 || style="text-align:left;"| @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||40–29–12 || 1996021054 L |- |82||April 13, 1997||3–8 || style="text-align:left;"| Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||40–30–12 || 1996021062 L |- |- | 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 Playoffs background:#fff; border-top:#010101 5px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 5px solid; 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (7) Ottawa Senators – Sabres win 4–3 Game Date Score Opponent Series Recap |- | 1 || April 17, 1997 || 3–1 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators || Sabres lead 1–0 || 1996030121 W |- | 2 || April 19, 1997 || 1–3 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators || Series tied 1–1 || 1996030122 L |- | 3 || April 21, 1997 || 3–2 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators || Sabres lead 2–1 || 1996030123 W |- | 4 || April 23, 1997 || 0–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators || Series tied 2–2 || 1996030124 L |- | 5 || April 25, 1997 || 1–4 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators || Senators lead 3–2 || 1996030125 L |- | 6 || April 27, 1997 || 3–0 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators || Series tied 3–3 || 1996030126 W |- | 7 || April 29, 1997 || 3–2 OT|| align="left"| Ottawa Senators || Sabres win 4–3 || 1996030127 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#C8102E 2px solid; Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers – Flyers win 4–1 Game Date Score Opponent Series Recap |- | 1 || May 3, 1997 || 3–5 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers || Flyers lead 1–0 || 1996030221 L |- | 2 || May 5, 1997 || 1–2 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers || Flyers lead 2–0 || 1996030222 L |- | 3 || May 7, 1997 || 1–4 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers || Flyers lead 3–0 || 1996030223 L |- | 4 || May 9, 1997 || 5–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers || Flyers lead 3–1 || 1996030224 W |- | 5 || May 11, 1997 || 3–6 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers || Flyers win 4–1 || 1996030225 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 = 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 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 26 Derek Plante C 82 27 26 53 14 24 12 4 6 10 4 4 19 Brian Holzinger C 81 22 29 51 9 54 12 2 5 7 −3 8 28 Donald Audette RW 73 28 22 50 −6 48 11 4 5 9 −3 6 27 Michael Peca C 79 20 29 49 26 80 10 0 2 2 −3 8 17Dawe wore number 43 in his first two games. Jason Dawe ice hockey RW 81 22 26 48 14 32 11 2 1 3 −2 6 15 Dixon Ward RW 79 13 32 45 17 36 12 2 3 5 2 6 36 Matthew Barnaby RW 68 19 24 43 16 249 8 0 4 4 2 36 3 Garry Galley D 71 4 34 38 10 102 12 0 6 6 2 14 18 Michal Grosek Michal Grošek LW 82 15 21 36 25 71 12 3 3 6 3 8 44 Alexei Zhitnik D 80 7 28 35 10 95 12 1 0 1 −9 16 12 Randy Burridge LW 55 10 21 31 17 20 12 5 1 6 −5 2 42 Richard Smehlik Richard Šmehlík D 62 11 19 30 19 43 12 0 2 2 0 4 8 Darryl Shannon D 82 4 19 23 23 112 12 2 3 5 −1 8 4 Mike Wilson ice hockey D 77 2 9 11 13 51 10 0 1 1 3 2 81 Miroslav Satan Miroslav Šatan LW 12 8 2 10 1 4 7 0 0 0 −1 0 32 Rob Ray RW 82 7 3 10 3 286 12 0 1 1 −3 28 74 Jay McKee D 43 1 9 10 3 35 3 0 0 0 0 0 16 Pat LaFontaine C 13 2 6 8 −8 4 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 38 Barrie Moore LW 31 2 6 8 1 18 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 6Boughner wore number 46 in his first four games. Bob Boughner D 77 1 7 8 12 225 11 0 1 1 0 9 37 Curtis Brown ice hockey C 28 4 3 7 4 18 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 10 Brad May LW 42 3 4 7 −8 106 10 1 1 2 −2 32 76 Wayne Primeau C 45 2 4 6 −2 64 9 0 0 0 −2 6 93 Anatoli Semenov C 25 2 4 6 −3 2 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 5 Ed Ronan RW 18 1 4 5 4 11 6 1 0 1 −1 6 39 Dominik Hasek Dominik Hašek G 67 0 3 3 30 3 0 0 0 -98 2 22 Charlie Huddy D 1 0 0 0 −1 0 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 40 Rumun Ndur D 2 0 0 0 1 2 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 31 Steve Shields ice hockey G 13 0 0 0 4 10 0 0 0 -98 9 30 Andrei Trefilov G 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 -98 0 25 Vaclav Varada Václav Varaďa RW 5 0 0 0 0 2 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — Goaltending No. Jersey number Player Regular season Playoffs 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 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 39 Dominik Hasek 67 37 20 10 2177 153 2.27 .930 5 4036:59 3 1 1 68 5 1.96 .926 0 153:24 31 Steve Shields 13 3 8 2 447 39 2.96 .913 0 789:19 10 4 6 334 26 2.74 .922 1 569:35 30 Andrei Trefilov 3 0 2 0 98 10 3.78 .898 0 158:39 1 0 0 4 0 0.00 1.000 0 5:11 Awards and records Awards TypeAward/honorRecipientRef League(annual) Hart Memorial Trophy Dominik HasekHart Memorial Trophy https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/hart-memorial-trophy records.nhl.com July 26, 2023 Frank J. Selke Trophy Michael PecaFrank J. Selke Trophy https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/frank-j-selke-trophy records.nhl.com July 26, 2023 Jack Adams Award Ted NolanJack Adams Award https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/jack-adams-award records.nhl.com July 26, 2023 Lester B. Pearson Award Dominik HasekTed Lindsay Award https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/ted-lindsay-award records.nhl.com July 26, 2023 Lester Patrick Trophy Seymour H. Knox IIILester Patrick Trophy https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/lester-patrick-trophy records.nhl.com July 26, 2023 Pat LaFontaine NHL First All-Star team Dominik Hasek (Goaltender)Postseason All-Star Teams https://records.nhl.com/awards/phwa-all-star-teams?season=19961997 records.nhl.com July 26, 2023 Vezina Trophy Dominik HasekVezina Trophy https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/vezina-trophy records.nhl.com July 26, 2023 League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Dominik Hasek1997 NHL All-Star Game Rosters https://www.hockey-reference.com/allstar/NHL_1997_roster.html Hockey-Reference.com August 29, 2024 Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Rumun Ndur November 9, 19961996-97 NHL Debuts https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1997_debut.html Hockey-Reference.com October 7, 2024 Draft picks Buffalo's draft picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.1996 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl1996e.html www.hockeydb.com July 27, 2023 Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)17Erik RasmussenUniversity of Minnesota (WCHA)227Cory SarichSaskatoon Blades (WHL)233Darren Van OeneBrandon Wheat Kings (WHL)354Francois MethotSaint-Hyacinthe Laser (QMJHL)487Kurt WalshOwen Sound Platers (OHL)4106Mike MartonePeterborough Petes (OHL)5115Alexei TezikovLada Togliatti (Russia)6142Ryan DavisOwen Sound Platers (OHL)6161Darren MortierSarnia Sting (OHL)9222Scott BuhlerMedicine Hat Tigers (WHL) Notes References Buffalo Sabres 1996-97 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000331997.html www.hockeydb.com July 16, 2023 1996-97 Buffalo Sabres Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/BUF/1997.html Hockey-Reference.com July 16, 2023 1996-97 Buffalo Sabres season Category:1996–97 NHL season by team Category:1996 in sports in New York (state) Category:1997 in sports in New York (state)