2010–11 Buffalo Sabres season

The 2010–11 Buffalo Sabres season was the 41st season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on May 22, 1970. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, this was the 40th season of play for the franchise and was celebrated as such by the team.

As of 2024, this is the last time the Sabres qualified for postseason play and their last season until 2022 with a winning record.

Off-season

To commemorate the team's 40th anniversary, the Sabres went retro, reverting to their pre-1996 logo and to the design of the first season uniforms (blue with gold and white trim) with a silver trim the team has been using as a third uniform since the 2008–09 season. The new road uniforms would be white with blue and gold trim, similar to the original 1970–71 uniforms; a new third jersey was used paying homage to the AHL Bisons that played in the city prior to 1970. The jersey would come complete with the team's 40th anniversary logo (the current logo with "1970", the team's first season, inside.)

Regular season

Franchise sale

On November 30, 2010, Ken Campbell of The Hockey News reported a story that billionaire Terrence Pegula had signed a letter of intent to purchase the Sabres from owners Tom Golisano, Larry Quinn and Daniel DiPofi for US$150 million. Pegula was the founder, president and CEO of East Resources, one of the largest privately held companies in the United States before selling the company. After the report was released, Quinn claimed that the report was "untrue" but had refused further comment. The $150 million was later determined to be an undervalued amount, as Forbes magazine had valued the team at just under $170 million in 2010.

In December 2010, Pegula officially expressed interest in buying the Sabres for $170 million and submitted a letter of intent to the NHL.

In January 2011, Golisano reportedly issued a counteroffer with an asking price of US$175 million. An agreement between Pegula and Golisano to sell the team was reached on January 29, 2011, with Pegula buying the team for $189 million ($175 million with $14 million in debt included) with the Sabres and Golisano officially making an announcement in a press conference on February 3, 2011. League owners approved the sale on February 18. In the conference, it was revealed that an unnamed bidder submitted a much higher bid than Pegula's, but made the bid contingent upon moving the team. The description is consistent with that of Jim Balsillie, who has made public his efforts to move a team to Hamilton, Ontario, a move that the Sabres have actively opposed. Terry Pegula named former Pittsburgh Penguins executive Ted Black to be the team president. Pegula was introduced as the Sabres' owner in a public ceremony at HSBC Arena on February 23, accompanied by what would be the final appearance of all three members of The French Connection line before Rick Martin's death three weeks later.

Divisional standings

Conference standings

bold – qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; z – Placed first in conference (and division)
AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division

Schedule and results

Pre-season

Regular season

Game log

Playoffs

The Sabres qualified for the playoffs and played the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The Sabres–Flyers series marked the ninth time, and first since 2006, the teams have met in the playoffs, most of any Sabres opponent. The Flyers lead the match-up four series to three. This series was the first time a Sabres–Flyers series has gone seven games.

Playoff log

Player statistics

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA= Goals against average; SA= Shots against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save percentage; SO= Shutouts

^†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Sabres. Stats reflect time with Sabres only.
^‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Sabres only.

Awards and records

Awards

Records

Milestones

Transactions

The Sabres have been involved in the following transactions during the 2010–11 season.

Trades

Draft selections

The 2010 NHL Entry Draft was held June 25–26, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

See also

• 2010–11 NHL season

Farm teams

Portland Pirates

The Portland Pirates remain Buffalo's top affiliate in the American Hockey League in 2010–11.

References