# 2011–12 Buffalo Sabres season

The 2011–12 Buffalo Sabres season was the 42nd season of operation (41st season of play) for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970. Their season began October 7, 2011 against the Anaheim Ducks in Helsinki, where the team named Jason Pominville the 13th full-time captain in team history. Pominville filled the vacancy left by Craig Rivet, who was claimed via waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets during the previous season.

## Off-season

The Sabres signed several free agents. This was due to the new ownership giving permission to the managing staff to bid for free agents. The previous ownership allowed free agents to leave rather than pay for free agent contracts. The Sabres home also underwent a makeover. The interior of the arena was painted Sabres colors, blue and gold. The players locker rooms also received an extensive multimillion-dollar upgrade. The naming rights were transferred from HSBC to First Niagara Bank and the arena took on the name First Niagara Center.

## Regular season

The Sabres participated in the 2011 NHL Premiere, playing their first two regular season games in Europe. After a 2–0 start in Europe, the Sabres returned home and continued to play well. They had a record of 10–5 going into a November 12 game against the Boston Bruins, where, in the first period, Ryan Miller left his crease to play a puck and was hit by the Bruins' Milan Lucic. Miller suffered a concussion and neck injury on the hit and would go on to miss nine games; his first game back he took another blow near the head area, this time via Nashville Predators player Jordin Tootoo. Lucic was penalized for charging on the play but was not suspended or fined by the League. During the middle part of the season, injuries plagued the team. By the All-Star break the Sabres sat in 14th place in the Eastern Conference and had 225-man-games lost to injury. Jason Pominville was the only Sabre named to the All-Star Game roster. Luke Adam was one of 12 rookies selected to participate in the All-Star Skills Competition.
During the 33 game stretch from the Bruins game (November 12) to January 24, the Sabres had a record of 9–19–5. The poor play included a team record 12-game road losing streak and a run of five consecutive regulation loses on a single road trip.
Things then began to turn around with a shootout win at the New Jersey Devils on January 24, the final game before the All-Star break. The Sabres then went on an 18–5–5 run, going from 14th in the Eastern Conference back into the eighth and final playoff position on March 24 with a 3–1 win at home against the Minnesota Wild. On March 27, the Sabres faced the Washington Capitals for a pivotal game for the final playoff position. The teams entered the game tied at 84 points, with the Capitals holding the tie breaker advantage. The Sabres won the game by a convincing 5–1 score. In the second period of the game, the Sabres were ahead 3–1 and down injuries to two defensemen. Christian Ehrhoff and Andrej Sekera were both injured in the period and the Capitals were going on the power play when Robyn Regehr took a hooking penalty. The penalty left the Sabres with only three available defensemen. On the ensuing power play, Alexander Ovechkin bobbled a pass at the blue line, where Jason Pominville took the puck and scored a short-handed goal to put the Sabres up 4–1. Ryan Miller made 44 saves, improving to a personal record of 8–0–2 in his last ten games and 14–1–3 in 18 games. The win put Buffalo in sole possession of the eighth playoff spot and even in games with Washington.
The Sabres' position in eighth place was short lived, however, due to two consecutive regulation losses, first at home to Pittsburgh and then at Toronto. At home on the back end of the home and home with Toronto, the Sabres fell behind 3–0 in the first period and 5–3 in the third. The Sabres then rallied to score two goals in the final five minutes of the third to tie the game at five. In overtime, Dion Phaneuf took a delay of game penalty, where Derek Roy ended the game on the ensuing power play with his second goal of the game. The win pulled Buffalo even in points with Washington at 88. Washington still held the tie breaker advantage, with each team having two games left to play.
The Sabres would go on to pick up only one point in their final two games, ultimately failing to make the playoffs.
On April 3, 2012, following their final regular season home game, the Sabres announced a new record for average paid attendance of 18,272 per home game.

## Playoffs

The Sabres attempted to qualify for the playoffs. The attempt fell three points short and the Sabres finished in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

## Standings

Northeast Division :
| Pos | Team v t e | GP | W | L | OTL | ROW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | y – Boston Bruins | 82 | 49 | 29 | 4 | 40 | 269 | 202 | +67 | 102 |
| 2 | x – Ottawa Senators | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 35 | 249 | 240 | +9 | 92 |
| 3 | Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 39 | 32 | 11 | 32 | 218 | 230 | −12 | 89 |
| 4 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 31 | 231 | 264 | −33 | 80 |
| 5 | Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 31 | 35 | 16 | 26 | 212 | 226 | −14 | 78 |
Eastern Conference :
| Pos | Div | Team v t e | GP | W | L | OTL | ROW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | AT | z – New York Rangers | 82 | 51 | 24 | 7 | 47 | 226 | 187 | +39 | 109 |
| 2 | NE | y – Boston Bruins | 82 | 49 | 29 | 4 | 40 | 269 | 202 | +67 | 102 |
| 3 | SE | y – Florida Panthers | 82 | 38 | 26 | 18 | 32 | 203 | 227 | −24 | 94 |
| 4 | AT | x – Pittsburgh Penguins | 82 | 51 | 25 | 6 | 42 | 282 | 221 | +61 | 108 |
| 5 | AT | x – Philadelphia Flyers | 82 | 47 | 26 | 9 | 43 | 264 | 232 | +32 | 103 |
| 6 | AT | x – New Jersey Devils | 82 | 48 | 28 | 6 | 36 | 228 | 209 | +19 | 102 |
| 7 | SE | x – Washington Capitals | 82 | 42 | 32 | 8 | 38 | 222 | 230 | −8 | 92 |
| 8 | NE | x – Ottawa Senators | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 35 | 249 | 240 | +9 | 92 |
| 9 | NE | Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 39 | 32 | 11 | 32 | 218 | 230 | −12 | 89 |
| 10 | SE | Tampa Bay Lightning | 82 | 38 | 36 | 8 | 35 | 235 | 281 | −46 | 84 |
| 11 | SE | Winnipeg Jets | 82 | 37 | 35 | 10 | 33 | 225 | 246 | −21 | 84 |
| 12 | SE | Carolina Hurricanes | 82 | 33 | 33 | 16 | 32 | 213 | 243 | −30 | 82 |
| 13 | NE | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 31 | 231 | 264 | −33 | 80 |
| 14 | AT | New York Islanders | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 27 | 203 | 255 | −52 | 79 |
| 15 | NE | Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 31 | 35 | 16 | 26 | 212 | 226 | −14 | 78 |

## Schedule and results
### Pre-season

2011 Pre-season Game log: 5–1–1 (Home: 2–0–0; Road: 3–1–1)
#DateVisitorScoreHomeOTDecisionRecordRecap
1September 19Carolina Hurricanes1–3Buffalo SabresEnroth1–0–0
2September 21Buffalo Sabres3–1Montreal CanadiensMiller2–0–0
3September 23Buffalo Sabres2–1Toronto Maple LeafsMiller3–0–0
4September 24Toronto Maple Leafs2–3Buffalo SabresEnroth4–0–0
5September 25Buffalo Sabres1–4Columbus Blue JacketsMiller4–1–0
6September 30Buffalo Sabres4–5Washington CapitalsSOMiller4–1–1
7October 4Buffalo Sabres8–3Adler MannheimEnroth5–1–1 :

### Regular season

2011–12 Game Log :
October: 6–4–0 (Home: 2–3–0; Road: 4–1–0)
GameOctoberOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
17Anaheim Ducks4–1 MillerHelsinki, Finland/13,3491–0–0
28@ Los Angeles Kings4–2 MillerBerlin, Germany/14,3002–0–0
314Carolina Hurricanes4–3 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,6902–1–0
415@ Pittsburgh Penguins3–2 EnrothConsol Energy Center/18,5623–1–0
518@ Montreal Canadiens3–1 MillerBell Centre/21,2734–1–0
620@ Florida Panthers3–0 MillerBank Atlantic Center/14,8115–1–0
722@ Tampa Bay Lightning3–0 MillerSt. Pete Times Forum/19,2045–2–0
825Tampa Bay Lightning4–3 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,6905–3–0
927Columbus Blue Jackets4–2 EnrothFirst Niagara Center/18,6906–3–0
1029Florida Panthers3–2 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,6906–4–0 :
November: 7–6–1 (Home: 4–4–1; Road: 3–2–0)
GameNovemberOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
112Philadelphia Flyers3–2 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,2996–5–0
124Calgary Flames2–1 EnrothFirst Niagara Center/18,6907–5–0
135@ Ottawa Senators3–2 (SO) EnrothScotiabank Place/18,8058–5–0
148Winnipeg Jets6–5 (OT) MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,6909–5–0
1511Ottawa Senators5–1 EnrothFirst Niagara Center/18,69010–5–0
1612@ Boston Bruins6–2 MillerTD Garden/17,56510–6–0
1714@ Montreal Canadiens3–2 (SO) EnrothBell Centre11–6–0
1816New Jersey Devils5–3 EnrothFirst Niagara Center/18,69011–7–0
1918@ Carolina Hurricanes1–0 EnrothRBC Center/15,07212–7–0
2019Phoenix Coyotes4–2 EnrothFirst Niagara Center/18,69012–8–0
2123Boston Bruins4–3 (SO) EnrothFirst Niagara Center/18,69012–8–1
2225@ Columbus Blue Jackets5–1 EnrothNationwide Arena/16,70512–9–1
2326Washington Capitals5–1 EnrothFirst Niagara Center/18,69013–9–1
2429New York Islanders2–1 EnrothFirst Niagara Center/18,69013–10–1 :
December: 4–7–3 (Home: 3–2–3; Road: 1–5–0)
GameDecemberOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
252Detroit Red Wings4–1 EnrothFirst Niagara Center/18,69013–11–1
263@ Nashville Predators3–2 MillerBridgestone Arena/17,11314–11–1
277Philadelphia Flyers5–4 (OT) MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69014–11–2
289Florida Panthers2–1 (OT) MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69015–11–2
2910New York Rangers4–1 EnrothFirst Niagara Center/18,69015–12–2
3013Ottawa Senators3–2 (OT) MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69015–12–3
3116Toronto Maple Leafs5–4 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69016–12–3
3217@ Pittsburgh Penguins8–3 EnrothConsol Energy Center/18,58416–13–3
3320@ Ottawa Senators4–1 MillerScotiabank Place/18,47416–14–3
3422@ Toronto Maple Leafs3–2 MillerAir Canada Centre/19,47316–15–3
3526Washington Capitals4–2 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69017–15–3
3628@ New Jersey Devils3–1 MillerPrudential Center/17,62517–16–3
3730@ Washington Capitals3–1 MillerVerizon Center/18,50617–17–3
3831Ottawa Senators3–2 (SO) EnrothFirst Niagara Center/18,69017–17–4 :
January: 4–7–1 (Home: 2–0–1; Road: 2–7–0)
GameJanuaryOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
393Edmonton Oilers4–3 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69018–17–4
406@ Carolina Hurricanes4–2 MillerRBC Center/16,09518–18–4
417Winnipeg Jets2–1 (OT) EnrothFirst Niagara Center/18,69018–18–5
4210@ Toronto Maple Leafs2–0 MillerAir Canada Centre/19,43118–19–5
4313Toronto Maple Leafs3–2 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69019–19–5
4414@ New York Islanders4–2 EnrothNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum/13,84819–20–5
4516@ Detroit Red Wings5–0 MillerJoe Louis Arena/20,06619–21–5
4618@ Chicago Blackhawks6–2 EnrothUnited Center/21,11419–22–5
4719@ Winnipeg Jets4–1 MillerMTS Centre/15,00419–23–5
4821@ St. Louis Blues4–2 MillerScottrade Center/19,15019–24–5
4924@ New Jersey Devils2–1 (SO) MillerPrudential Center/13,73520–24–5
5031@ Montreal Canadiens3–1 MillerBell Centre/21,27321–24–5 :
February: 7–3–3 (Home: 5–2–2; Road: 2–1–1)
GameFebruaryOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
511New York Rangers1–0 (SO) MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69021–24–6
524@ New York Islanders4–3 (SO) MillerNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum/14,61822–24–6
538Boston Bruins6–0 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69023–24–6
5410Dallas Stars3–2 (SO) MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69024–24–6
5511Tampa Bay Lightning2–1 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69024–25–6
5614New Jersey Devils4–1 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69024–26–6
5716@ Philadelphia Flyers7–2 EnrothWells Fargo Center/19,72524–27–6
5817Montreal Canadiens4–3 (SO) MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69024–27–7
5919Pittsburgh Penguins6–2 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69025–27–7
6021New York Islanders2–1 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69026–27–7
6124Boston Bruins2–1 (SO) MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69027–27–7
6225@ New York Rangers3–2 (OT) MillerMadison Square Garden/18,20027–27–8
6329@ Anaheim Ducks2–0 MillerHonda Center/14,97228–27–8 :
March: 10–4–2 (Home: 4–1–1; Road: 6–3–1)
GameMarchOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
641@ San Jose Sharks1–0 MillerHP Pavilion/17,56229–27–8
653@ Vancouver Canucks5–3 MillerRogers Arena/18,89030–27–8
665@ Winnipeg Jets1–3 MillerMTS Centre/15,00430–28–8
677Carolina Hurricanes3–2 (OT) MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69031–28–8
688@ Boston Bruins3–1 EnrothTD Garden/17,56531–29–8
6910@ Ottawa Senators4–3 (SO) MillerScotiabank Place/19,95132–29–8
7012Montreal Canadiens3–2 (OT) MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69033–29–8
7114Colorado Avalanche5–4 (SO) MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69033–29–9
7217@ Florida Panthers3–2 (SO) MillerBankAtlantic Center/16,82733–29–10
7319@ Tampa Bay Lightning7–3 MillerSt. Pete Times Forum/17,21234–29–10
7421Montreal Canadiens3–0 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69035–29–10
7523@ New York Rangers4–1 MillerMadison Square Garden/18,20036–29–10
7624Minnesota Wild3–1 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69037–29–10
7727@ Washington Capitals5–1 MillerVerizon Center/18,50638–29–10
7830Pittsburgh Penguins3–5 MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69038–30–10
7931@ Toronto Maple Leafs3–4 MillerAir Canada Centre/19,44638–31–10 :
April: 1–1–1 (Home: 1–0–0; Road: 0–1–1)
GameAprilOpponentScoreDecisionLocation/AttendanceRecord
803Toronto Maple Leafs6–5 OT MillerFirst Niagara Center/18,69039–31–10
815@ Philadelphia Flyers1–2 MillerWells Fargo Center/19,87339–32–10
827@ Boston Bruins3–4 SO EnrothTD Garden/17,56539–32–11 :
2011–2012 Schedule :

## Player statistics
### Skaters

Regular season :
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | +/− | PIM |
| Jason Pominville | 82 | 30 | 43 | 73 | −7 | 12 |
| Thomas Vanek | 78 | 26 | 35 | 61 | −6 | 52 |
| Drew Stafford | 80 | 20 | 30 | 50 | 5 | 46 |
| Derek Roy | 80 | 17 | 27 | 44 | −7 | 54 |
| Tyler Ennis | 48 | 15 | 19 | 34 | 11 | 14 |
| Christian Ehrhoff | 66 | 5 | 27 | 32 | −2 | 47 |
| Nathan Gerbe | 62 | 6 | 19 | 25 | 2 | 32 |
| Ville Leino | 71 | 8 | 17 | 25 | −2 | 16 |
| Jordan Leopold | 79 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 4 | 28 |
| Brad Boyes | 65 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 2 | 6 |
| Tyler Myers | 55 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 5 | 33 |
| Luke Adam | 52 | 10 | 10 | 20 | −6 | 14 |
| Paul Gaustad$^‡$ | 56 | 7 | 10 | 17 | −1 | 70 |
| Andrej Sekera | 69 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 3 | 18 |
| Marcus Foligno | 14 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 6 | 9 |
| Marc-Andre Gragnani$^‡$ | 44 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 20 |
| Patrick Kaleta | 63 | 5 | 5 | 10 | −5 | 116 |
| Jochen Hecht | 22 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 6 |
| Matt Ellis | 60 | 3 | 5 | 8 | −3 | 25 |
| Alexander Sulzer$^†$ | 15 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 6 |
| Corey Tropp | 34 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 20 |
| Cody Hodgson$^†$ | 20 | 3 | 5 | 8 | −7 | 2 |
| Brayden McNabb | 25 | 1 | 7 | 8 | −1 | 15 |
| Zack Kassian$^‡$ | 27 | 3 | 4 | 7 | −1 | 20 |
| Robyn Regehr | 76 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −12 | 56 |
| Mike Weber | 51 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −19 | 64 |
| Cody McCormick | 50 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −7 | 56 |
| Paul Szczechura | 9 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| T. J. Brennan | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Travis Turnbull | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Colin Stuart | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −3 | 0 |
| Joe Finley | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −3 | 12 |
| Derek Whitmore | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

### Goaltenders

Regular season :
| Player | GP | TOI | W | L | OT | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
| Ryan Miller | 61 | 3536 | 31 | 21 | 7 | 150 | 2.55 | 1788 | .916 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jhonas Enroth | 26 | 1399 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 63 | 2.70 | 756 | .917 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Drew MacIntyre | 2 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.40 | 18 | .944 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
$^†$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

Regular Season :
| Player | Award | Awarded |
| Ryan Miller | NHL First Star of the Week | March 5, 2012 |
| Ryan Miller | NHL Second Star of the Week | March 26, 2012 |
| Marcus Foligno | NHL Rookie of the Month | March 2012 |
| Ryan Miller | NHL Third Star of the Month | April 2, 2012 |

### Records

On October 25, 2011, Brad Boyes played in his 500th consecutive NHL game, becoming the 20th player in NHL history to reach that mark. This streak ended at 513 when he was injured in the November 23 game.

### Milestones

Regular Season :
| Player | Milestone | Reached |
| Brad Boyes | 200th Career NHL Assist | October 7, 2011 |
| Ryan Miller | 400th Career NHL Game | October 7, 2011 |
| Drew Stafford | 200th Career NHL Point | October 15, 2011 |
| Brad Boyes | 500th Career NHL Game | October 22, 2011 |
| Thomas Vanek | 400th Career NHL Point | October 27, 2011 |
| Corey Tropp | 1st Career NHL Game | November 4, 2011 |
| Corey Tropp | 1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Point | November 8, 2011 |
| Corey Tropp | 1st Career NHL Assist | November 11, 2011 |
| Nathan Gerbe | 100th Career NHL Game | November 12, 2011 |
| T. J. Brennan | 1st Career NHL Game 1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Point | November 23, 2011 |
| Zack Kassian | 1st Career NHL Game 1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point | November 25, 2011 |
| Zack Kassian | 1st Career NHL Goal | November 26, 2011 |
| Brayden McNabb | 1st Career NHL Game | November 26, 2011 |
| Joe Finley | 1st Career NHL Game | December 2, 2011 |
| Derek Roy | 400th Career NHL Point | December 2, 2011 |
| Tyler Ennis | 100th Career NHL Game | December 2, 2011 |
| Drew Stafford | 100th Career NHL Goal | December 16, 2011 |
| Derek Roy | 500th Career NHL Game | December 16, 2011 |
| Thomas Vanek | 500th Career NHL Game | December 16, 2011 |
| Thomas Vanek | 200th Career NHL Assist | December 20, 2011 |
| Derek Whitmore | 1st Career NHL Game | December 20, 2011 |
| Marcus Foligno | 1st Career NHL Game | December 20, 2011 |
| Brayden McNabb | 1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Point | December 26, 2011 |
| Brayden McNabb | 1st Career NHL Assist | December 31, 2011 |
| Cody McCormick | 300th Career NHL Game | January 3, 2012 |
| Jason Pominville | 500th Career NHL Game | January 16, 2012 |
| Mike Weber | 100th Career NHL Game | January 16, 2012 |
| Jason Pominville | 400th Career NHL Point | January 18, 2012 |
| Ryan Miller | 25th Career NHL Shutout | February 8, 2012 |
| Tyler Myers | 200th Career NHL Game 100th Career NHL Point | February 17, 2012 |
| Ville Leino | 200th Career NHL Game | February 25, 2012 |
| Marcus Foligno | 1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Point | March 10, 2012 |
| Marcus Foligno | 1st Career NHL Assist | March 12, 2012 |
| Travis Turnbull | 1st Career NHL Game | March 21, 2012 |
| Christian Ehrhoff | 200th Career NHL Assist | March 21, 2012 |
| Travis Turnbull | 1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Point | March 23, 2012 |
| Robyn Regehr | 900th Career NHL Game | April 3, 2012 |
| Andrej Sekera | 300th Career NHL Game | April 3, 2012 |

## Transactions

The Sabres have been involved in the following transactions during the 2011–12 season:

### Trades

| Date | Details | Details |
| June 25, 2011 | To Calgary Flames Chris Butler Paul Byron | To Buffalo Sabres Ales Kotalik Robyn Regehr 2nd-round pick in 2012 |
| June 29, 2011 | To New York Islanders4th-round pick in 2012 | To Buffalo SabresChristian Ehrhoff |
| June 29, 2011 | To Chicago BlackhawksSteve Montador | To Buffalo SabresConditional 7th-round pick in 2012 |
| February 27, 2012 | To Nashville PredatorsPaul Gaustad 4th-round pick in 2013 | Buffalo Sabres1st-round pick in 2012 |
| February 27, 2012 | To Vancouver CanucksMarc-Andre Gragnani Zack Kassian | To Buffalo SabresCody Hodgson Alexander Sulzer |
Lost via retirement
Player
Patrick Lalime
Mike Grier
Player signings
PlayerDateContract terms
Brayden McNabbMay 18, 20113-years, $2.045 million entry-level contract
Marcus FolignoMay 25, 20113-years, $2.48 million entry-level contract
Mark PysykJune 2, 20113-years, $2.7 million entry-level contract
Drew StaffordJune 3, 20114-years, $16 million
David LeggioJune 24, 20111 year, $525,000
Nathan GerbeJune 29, 20113-years, $4.3 million
Christian EhrhoffJune 30, 201110-years, $40 million
Cody McCormickJuly 1, 20113-years, $3.6 million
Mike WeberJuly 4, 20112-years, $1.9 million
Derek WhitmoreJuly 7, 20111 year, $525,000
Colin StuartJuly 7, 20111 year, $525,000
Dennis PerssonJuly 15, 20111 year, $525,000
Travis TurnbullJuly 15, 20111 year, $525,000
Matt EllisJuly 19, 20112 years, $1.05 million
Andrej SekeraJuly 19, 20114 years, $11 million
Jhonas EnrothJuly 21, 20112 years, $1.35 million
Marc-Andre GragnaniAugust 11, 20111 year, $550,000
Tyler MyersSeptember 15, 20117 years, $38.5 million contract extension
Matt MacKenzieOctober 4, 20113-years, $1.8 million entry-level contract
Riley BoychukOctober 7, 20113-years, $1.7075 million entry-level contract
Kevin SundherDecember 15, 20113 years, $1.895 million entry-level contract
Jerome Gauthier-LeducDecember 30, 20113 years, $1.995 million entry-level contract
Connor KnappApril 3, 20122 years, $1.19 million entry-level contract
Daniel CatenacciApril 3, 20123 years, $1.815 million entry-level contract :

## Draft picks

Buffalo's picks at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
| Round | # | Player | Position | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
| 1 | 16 | Joel Armia | Right Wing | Finland | Assat (SM-liiga) |
| 3 | 77 | Daniel Catenacci | Center | Canada | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) |
| 4 | 107 | Colin Jacobs | Center | United States | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 5 | 137 | Alex Lepkowski | Defense | United States | Barrie Colts (OHL) |
| 6 | 167 | Nathan Lieuwen | Goaltender | Canada | Kootenay Ice (WHL) |
| 7 | 197 | Brad Navin | Center | United States | Waupaca High School (USHS-WI) |