2017–18 Buffalo Sabres season
NHL hockey team season
The 2017–18 Buffalo Sabres season was the 48th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.[ 2] The Sabres missed the playoffs again, finishing last in the division for the second straight year and last overall in the league.
Standings
Source: National Hockey League
[ 3] x – Clinched playoff spot;
z – Clinched conference
Source: National Hockey League
[ 4] x – Clinched playoff spot
Off-season
General manager Tim Murray and head coach Dan Bylsma were both fired at the end of the previous season. Two former Sabres players were hired in their places: Jason Botterill , at the time a front office executive with the Pittsburgh Penguins , was hired as general manager, while Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Phil Housley , at the time defensive coordinator for the Nashville Predators , was named head coach.
The Sabres once again held a summer development camp during the second week of July. In contrast to the previous two seasons, no full Blue/White game was played; the four-team three-on-three tournament was reprised. Team White, led by 2017 first-round draft pick Casey Mittelstadt , won the tournament.[ 5] The team will host its third annual Prospects Challenge in September; the tournament will expand to four teams, with the Pittsburgh Penguins joining the returning Sabres, New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins in the tournament.[ 6]
Schedule and results
Preseason
The Sabres released their preseason schedule on June 19, 2017.[ 7]
Regular season
The team's regular season schedule was published on June 22, 2017.[ 8]
2017–18 game log
October: 3–7–2 (Home: 1–3–1 ; Road: 2–4–1)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
1
October 5
Montreal
3–2
Buffalo
SO
Lehner
19,070
0–0–1
1
Recap
2
October 7
Buffalo
3–6
NY Islanders
Lehner
15,234
0–1–1
1
Recap
3
October 9
New Jersey
6–2
Buffalo
Johnson
17,697
0–2–1
1
Recap
4
October 12
Buffalo
2–3
San Jose
Lehner
17,402
0–3–1
1
Recap
5
October 14
Buffalo
2–4
Los Angeles
Lehner
18,230
0–4–1
1
Recap
6
October 15
Buffalo
3–1
Anaheim
Johnson
15,821
1–4–1
3
Recap
7
October 17
Buffalo
4–5
Vegas
OT
Johnson
17,617
1–4–2
4
Recap
8
October 20
Vancouver
4–2
Buffalo
Johnson
18,050
1–5–2
4
Recap
9
October 21
Buffalo
5–4
Boston
OT
Lehner
17,565
2–5–2
6
Recap
10
October 24
Detroit
0–1
Buffalo
Lehner
16,882
3–5–2
8
Recap
11
October 25
Buffalo
1–5
Columbus
Johnson
14,383
3–6–2
8
Recap
12
October 28
San Jose
3–2
Buffalo
Lehner
18,892
3–7–2
8
Recap
November: 3–8–2 (Home: 2–5–0 ; Road: 1–3–2)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
13
November 2
Buffalo
5–4
Arizona
Lehner
11,477
4–7–2
10
Recap
14
November 4
Buffalo
1–5
Dallas
Lehner
18,236
4–8–2
10
Recap
15
November 7
Washington
1–3
Buffalo
Lehner
17,146
5–8–2
12
Recap
16
November 10
Florida
4–1
Buffalo
Lehner
17,812
5–9–2
12
Recap
17
November 11
Buffalo
1–2
Montreal
OT
Johnson
21,302
5–9–3
13
Recap
18
November 14
Buffalo
4–5
Pittsburgh
OT
Lehner
18,438
5–9–4
14
Recap
19
November 17
Buffalo
1–3
Detroit
Lehner
19,515
5–10–4
14
Recap
20
November 18
Carolina
3–1
Buffalo
Johnson
18,028
5–11–4
14
Recap
21
November 20
Columbus
3–2
Buffalo
Lehner
16,551
5–12–4
14
Recap
22
November 22
Minnesota
5–4
Buffalo
Lehner
17,418
5–13–4
14
Recap
23
November 24
Edmonton
1–3
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
6–13–4
16
Recap
24
November 25
Buffalo
0–3
Montreal
Lehner
21,302
6–14–4
16
Recap
25
November 28
Tampa Bay
2–0
Buffalo
Lehner
17,569
6–15–4
16
Recap
December: 4–5–4 (Home: 2–2–1 ; Road: 2–3–3)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
26
December 1
Pittsburgh
4–0
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
6–16–4
16
Recap
27
December 2
Buffalo
1–5
Pittsburgh
Johnson
18,582
6–17–4
16
Recap
28
December 5
Buffalo
4–2
Colorado
Lehner
13,258
7–17–4
18
Recap
29
December 8
Buffalo
2–3
Chicago
OT
Lehner
21,542
7–17–5
19
Recap
30
December 10
Buffalo
2–3
St. Louis
OT
Lehner
17,310
7–17–6
20
Recap
31
December 12
Ottawa
2–3
Buffalo
Lehner
17,454
8–17–6
22
Recap
32
December 14
Buffalo
1–2
Philadelphia
Lehner
19,508
8–18–6
22
Recap
33
December 15
Carolina
5–4
Buffalo
OT
Johnson
17,610
8–18–7
23
Recap
34
December 19
Boston
3–0
Buffalo
Lehner
17,811
8–19–7
23
Recap
35
December 22
Philadelphia
2–4
Buffalo
Lehner
18,222
9–19–7
25
Recap
36
December 23
Buffalo
2–4
Carolina
Johnson
14,470
9–20–7
25
Recap
37
December 27
Buffalo
2–3
NY Islanders
OT
Lehner
15,027
9–20–8
26
Recap
38
December 29
Buffalo
4–3
New Jersey
OT
Lehner
16,514
10–20–8
28
Recap
January: 4–7–1 (Home: 1–3–1 ; Road: 3–4–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
39
January 1
NY Rangers
3–2
Buffalo
OT
Lehner
41,821 (outdoors )
10–20–9
29
Recap
40
January 4
Buffalo
2–6
Minnesota
Lehner
19,017
10–21–9
29
Recap
41
January 5
Buffalo
3–4
Winnipeg
Johnson
15,321
10–22–9
29
Recap
42
January 7
Buffalo
1–4
Philadelphia
Lehner
19,662
10–23–9
29
Recap
43
January 9
Winnipeg
7–4
Buffalo
Johnson
17,398
10–24–9
29
Recap
44
January 11
Columbus
1–3
Buffalo
Ullmark
18,071
11–24–9
31
Recap
45
January 18
Buffalo
3–4
NY Rangers
Lehner
18,006
11–25–9
31
Recap
46
January 20
Dallas
7–1
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
11–26–9
31
Recap
47
January 22
Buffalo
2–1
Calgary
OT
Johnson
18,349
12–26–9
33
Recap
48
January 23
Buffalo
5–0
Edmonton
Lehner
18,347
13–26–9
35
Recap
49
January 25
Buffalo
4–0
Vancouver
Lehner
18,340
14–26–9
37
Recap
50
January 30
New Jersey
3–1
Buffalo
Lehner
17,460
14–27–9
37
Recap
February: 6–6–2 (Home: 3–5–1 ; Road: 3–1–1)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
51
February 1
Florida
4–2
Buffalo
Johnson
16,707
14–28–9
37
Recap
52
February 3
St. Louis
1–0
Buffalo
Lehner
18,777
14–29–9
37
Recap
53
February 6
Anaheim
4–3
Buffalo
OT
Lehner
16,788
14–29–10
38
Recap
54
February 8
NY Islanders
3–4
Buffalo
Lehner
16,872
15–29–10
40
Recap
55
February 10
Buffalo
4–2
Boston
Johnson
17,565
16–29–10
42
Recap
56
February 11
Colorado
5–4
Buffalo
Lehner
17,646
16–30–10
42
Recap
57
February 13
Tampa Bay
3–5
Buffalo
Johnson
16,530
17–30–10
44
Recap
58
February 15
Buffalo
2–3
Ottawa
OT
Lehner
13,371
17–30–11
45
Recap
59
February 17
Los Angeles
4–2
Buffalo
Lehner
18,632
17–31–11
45
Recap
60
February 19
Washington
3–2
Buffalo
Johnson
18,228
17–32–11
45
Recap
61
February 22
Buffalo
3–2
Detroit
OT
Lehner
19,515
18–32–11
47
Recap
62
February 24
Buffalo
1–5
Washington
Lehner
18,506
18–33–11
47
Recap
63
February 25
Boston
1–4
Buffalo
Johnson
18,522
19–33–11
49
Recap
64
February 28
Buffalo
2–1
Tampa Bay
OT
Johnson
19,092
20–33–11
51
Recap
March: 5–8–1 (Home: 2–6–1 ; Road: 3–2–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
65
March 2
Buffalo
1–4
Florida
Lehner
12,759
20–34–11
51
Recap
66
March 5
Toronto
3–5
Buffalo
Johnson
18,705
21–34–11
53
Recap
67
March 7
Calgary
5–1
Buffalo
Johnson
17,773
21–35–11
53
Recap
68
March 8
Buffalo
4–3
Ottawa
SO
Lehner
13,377
22–35–11
55
Recap
69
March 10
Vegas
2–1
Buffalo
SO
Lehner
19,070
22–35–12
56
Recap
70
March 15
Toronto
5–2
Buffalo
Lehner
19,070
22–36–12
56
Recap
71
March 17
Chicago
3–5
Buffalo
Johnson
19,070
23–36–12
58
Recap
72
March 19
Nashville
4–0
Buffalo
Ullmark
17,507
23–37–12
58
Recap
73
March 21
Arizona
4–1
Buffalo
Johnson
17,029
23–38–12
58
Recap
74
March 23
Montreal
3–0
Buffalo
Ullmark
18,594
23–39–12
58
Recap
75
March 24
Buffalo
1–5
NY Rangers
Lehner
18,006
23–40–12
58
Recap
76
March 26
Buffalo
3–2
Toronto
Johnson
19,108
24–40–12
60
Recap
77
March 29
Detroit
6–3
Buffalo
Johnson
18,493
24–41–12
60
Recap
78
March 31
Buffalo
7–4
Nashville
Johnson
17,551
25–41–12
62
Recap
April: 0–4–0 (Home: 0–1–0 ; Road: 0–3–0)
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Pts
Recap
79
April 2
Buffalo
2–5
Toronto
Johnson
18,846
25–42–12
62
Recap
80
April 4
Ottawa
4–2
Buffalo
Johnson
18,919
25–43–12
62
Recap
81
April 6
Buffalo
5–7
Tampa Bay
Johnson
19,092
25–44–12
62
Recap
82
April 7
Buffalo
3–4
Florida
Wilcox
16,254
25–45–12
62
Recap
Legend:
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)
Player statistics
Final stats. [ 9]
Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular season[ 11]
Player
GP
GS
TOI
W
L
OT
GA
GAA
SA
SV%
SO
G
A
PIM
Robin Lehner
53
50
2,852:01
14
26
9
143
3.01
1,560
.908
3
0
0
2
Chad Johnson
36
29
1,773:32
10
16
3
105
3.55
962
.891
0
0
0
0
Linus Ullmark
5
3
240:18
1
2
0
8
2.00
123
.935
0
0
0
0
Adam Wilcox
1
0
38:39
0
1
0
0
0.00
14
1.000
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 2017–18 season.
Trades
Notes:
The Vegas Golden Knights selected William Carrier in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft . The draft pick was exchanged so that the Golden Knights would not select Linus Ullmark .
Free agents acquired
Date
Player
Former team
Contract terms (in U.S. dollars)
Ref
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Kyle Criscuolo
Grand Rapids Griffins
2-year, $1.3 million
[ 19]
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Seth Griffith
Toronto Maple Leafs
1-year, $650,000
[ 20]
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Chad Johnson
Arizona Coyotes
1-year, $2.5 million
[ 21]
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Jacob Josefson
New Jersey Devils
1-year, $700,000
[ 22]
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Kevin Porter
Pittsburgh Penguins
2-year, $1.3 million
[ 23]
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Benoit Pouliot
Edmonton Oilers
1-year, $1.15 million
[ 24]
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Matt Tennyson
Carolina Hurricanes
2-year, $1.3 million
[ 25]
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Adam Wilcox
Florida Panthers
1-year, $650,000
[ 26]
April 11, 2018 (2018-04-11 )
Andrew Oglevie
University of Notre Dame
2-year, $1.85 million entry-level contract
[ 27]
May 15, 2018 (2018-05-15 )
Lawrence Pilut
HV71
2-year, $2.7 million entry-level contract
[ 28]
Free agents lost
Date
Player
New team
Contract terms (in U.S. dollars)
Ref
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Mat Bodie
Tampa Bay Lightning
1-year
[ 29]
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Erik Burgdoerfer
Ottawa Senators
2-year, $1.3 million
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Derek Grant
Anaheim Ducks
1-year, $650,000
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Dmitry Kulikov
Winnipeg Jets
3-year
[ 30]
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Anders Nilsson
Vancouver Canucks
2-year, $5 million
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Cal O'Reilly
Minnesota Wild
2-year, $1.4 million
[ 31]
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Cole Schneider
New York Rangers
2-year, $1.3 million
[ 32]
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01 )
Jean Dupuy
Toronto Marlies
Unknown
[ 33]
July 20, 2017 (2017-07-20 )
Justin Kea
Florida Everblades
1-year
[ 34]
October 18, 2017 (2017-10-18 )
Brian Gionta
Team USA
Through Olympics , $0
[ 35]
April 27, 2018 (2018-04-27 )
Jacob Josefson
Djurgårdens IF
4-year
[ 36]
June 13, 2018 (2018-06-13 )
Zach Redmond
Rochester Americans
2-year
[ 37]
Claimed via waivers
Lost via waivers
Players released
Lost via retirement
Player signings
Date
Player
Contract terms (in U.S. dollars)
Ref
June 26, 2017 (2017-06-26 )
Taylor Fedun
2-year, $1.3 million, two-way contract
[ 39]
July 8, 2017 (2017-07-08 )
Johan Larsson
2-year, $2.95 million
[ 40]
July 25, 2017 (2017-07-25 )
Robin Lehner
1-year, $4 million
[ 41]
July 27, 2017 (2017-07-27 )
Evan Rodrigues
2-year, $1.3 million
[ 42]
July 31, 2017 (2017-07-31 )
Nathan Beaulieu
2-year, $4.8 million
[ 43]
August 17, 2017 (2017-08-17 )
Zemgus Girgensons
2-year, $3.2 million
[ 44]
October 4, 2017 (2017-10-04 )
Jack Eichel
8-year, $80 million contract extension
[ 45]
October 23, 2017 (2017-10-23 )
Cliff Pu
3-year, $2.775 million entry-level contract
[ 46]
March 25, 2018 (2018-03-25 )
Will Borgen
3-year, $2.775 million entry-level contract
[ 47]
March 26, 2018 (2018-03-26 )
Casey Mittelstadt
3-year, $4.475 million entry-level contract
[ 48]
April 24, 2018 (2018-04-24 )
Victor Olofsson
2-year, $1.85 million entry-level contract
[ 49]
May 2, 2018 (2018-05-02 )
Casey Nelson
2-year, $1.625 million contract extension
[ 50]
May 23, 2018 (2018-05-23 )
Rasmus Asplund
3-year, $2.775 million entry-level contract
[ 51]
June 14, 2018 (2018-06-14 )
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
3-year, $2.775 million entry-level contract
[ 52]
Draft picks
Below are the Buffalo Sabres' selections at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft , which was held on June 23 and 24, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago .
Draft notes: [ 53]
The Minnesota Wild 's second-round pick went to the Buffalo Sabres as the result of a trade on March 2, 2015 that sent Chris Stewart to Minnesota in exchange for this pick.[ 54]
The Washington Capitals ' third-round pick went to the Buffalo Sabres as the result of a trade on February 23, 2016 that sent Mike Weber to Washington in exchange for this pick.[ 55]
References
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^ "Sabres ink Matt Tennyson to two-year deal" . sportsnet.ca . Retrieved July 1, 2017 .
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^ "Sabres, Pilut agree to entry-level deal" . NHL.com . May 15, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018 .
^ Tampa Bay, Lightning (July 1, 2017). "Lightning sign defenseman Mat Bodie to one-year, two-way contract" . Tampa Bay Lightning . Retrieved July 1, 2017 .
^ "Jets sign Dmitry Kulikov" . NHL.com . July 1, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017 .
^ "Wild Agrees to Terms with Forwards Ferraro, O'Reilly" . nhl.com . Retrieved July 1, 2017 .
^ "Rangers Agree to Terms With Cole Schneider" . nhl.com . Retrieved July 1, 2017 .
^ "Marlies Sign Jean Dupuy" . marlies.ca . Retrieved July 6, 2017 .
^ "EVERBLADES SIGN FORWARD KEA" . echl.com . Retrieved July 22, 2017 . [permanent dead link ]
^ Schlager, Brandon (October 18, 2017). "A peak at Pyeongchang: USA Hockey announces roster for pre-Olympic tournament" . The Sporting News . Retrieved October 18, 2017 .
^ "Jacob Josefson är klar för Djurgården" . difhockey.se (in Swedish). Retrieved June 11, 2019 .
^ "REDMOND RETURNS ON TWO-YEAR AHL CONTRACT" . amerks.com . Retrieved June 11, 2019 . [permanent dead link ]
^ "SABRES CLAIM NOLAN OFF WAIVERS" . Buffalo Sabres PR . September 27, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017 .
^ "Sabres, Taylor Fedun agree to two-year, two-way deal" . sportsnet.ca . Retrieved June 27, 2017 .
^ "Sabres, Larsson agree to 2-year contract" . nhl.com . Retrieved July 9, 2017 .
^ "Sabres sign Lehner to 1-year contract" . nhl.com . Retrieved July 26, 2017 .
^ "Sabres sign Rodrigues to 2-year contract" . nhl.com . Retrieved July 30, 2017 .
^ "Sabres, Beaulieu agree to 2-year contract" . nhl.com . Retrieved August 10, 2017 .
^ "Girgensons signs two-year contract with Sabres" .
^ "Sabres, Eichel agree to terms on extension" . NHL.com . October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017 .
^ "Sabres sign Pu to entry-level contract" . NHL.com . October 23, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017 .
^ "Sabres sign Borgen to entry-level contract" . NHL.com . March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018 .
^ "Sabres, Mittelstadt agree to entry-level deal" . NHL.com . March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2018 .
^ "Sabres sign Viktor Olofsson" . NHL.com . April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2018 .
^ "Sabres sign Nelson to 2-year deal" . NHL.com . May 2, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018 .
^ "Sabres sign Asplund to entry-level contract" . NHL.com . May 23, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2018 .
^ "Sabres ink Luukkonen to entry-level contract" . NHL.com . June 14, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2018 .
^ "2017 NHL Entry Draft Pending Transactions Transactions" . Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved June 1, 2017 .
^ "Wild acquire Stewart from Sabres for 2017 pick" . March 2, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2015 .
^ "Sabres trade Weber to Caps for third rounder" . February 23, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016 .
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