2006–07 Buffalo Sabres season

The 2006–07 Buffalo Sabres season began with the team attempting to rebound from a disappointing end to the 2005–06 season, in which the Sabres advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals before losing in seven games to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. 
With the best regular-season record in the NHL, the Sabres were awarded the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in their history, and they also earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They defeated the New York Islanders and New York Rangers in the first two rounds of the playoffs. In the Eastern Conference Finals, however, the Sabres' season came to an end when they were defeated in five games by the Ottawa Senators.
==Offseason==
The team lost several veterans to free agency, including J.P. Dumont, Jay McKee and Mike Grier. Conversely, the team signed only one new player to the roster: defenseman Jaroslav Spacek. The team planned to rely on young players from their own organization -- Jiri Novotny, Paul Gaustad and Nathan Paetsch, to name a few—to fill the holes left by the departing players.
Controversy swirled around the team's logo and jersey, meanwhile, as the look was changed. The team's colors were reverted back to blue and gold, which they had worn from their addition to the league as an expansion team until 1996–97, when the colors were changed to black and red. The new logo, though, was said to resemble to many a slug or a wig. There were strong efforts to prevent the team from wearing this new jersey, although none were successful. The team's new third jersey, meanwhile, featured the team's original logo. Despite the controversy, however, the NHL reported that sales of Sabres merchandise were up approximately 1170% from the 2005–2006 season.
==Regular season==
The Sabres were very successful early in the season, tying an NHL record by winning their first ten games, before finally suffering a shootout loss to the Atlanta Thrashers. They did not lose a game in regulation until exactly one month into the season, in their thirteenth game, when they lost to Toronto. The Sabres also set an NHL record by winning their first ten road games of the season, not losing outside of HSBC Arena until November 18 in Ottawa.
On January 9, it was announced that three members of the Sabres had been voted to start the All-Star Game for the Eastern Conference: forward Danny Briere, defenseman Brian Campbell, and goaltender Ryan Miller. It was the first All-Star appearance for each. In addition, as the Sabres had the best record in the Eastern Conference as of the end of All-Star voting, head coach Lindy Ruff was assigned to coach the Eastern Conference team. Briere recorded a goal and four assists in the game, and was named Most Valuable Player of the game. Thomas Vanek was also invited to All-Star Weekend to play in the YoungStars game. 
On January 13, Jason Pominville recorded his 20th goal of the season, becoming the fourth Sabre (after Chris Drury, Thomas Vanek and Maxim Afinogenov) to record 20 goals before the All-Star break. At the time of Pominville's 20th goal, no other team in the NHL had more than two players with 20 goals. Danny Briere became the fifth Sabre to record 20 goals as he scored a hat trick on January 30 against the Boston Bruins. With the feat, the Sabres became the first team since the 1995–96 Pittsburgh Penguins to have five 20–goal scorers before February. Four Sabres would go on to reach the 30-goal plateau. For the first time in 12 years, Buffalo was not shut out in any of their 82 regular-season games. Moreover, the Sabres led the NHL in goals scored and became the first team to score at least 200 even-strength goals during the regular season since the 2000-01 New Jersey Devils. 
In February, the Sabres found themselves battling injury problems. Forward Tim Connolly had been on the long-term injury list all season, and he was joined by Paul Gaustad when a tendon in his leg was sliced on February 7 against the Ottawa Senators. Jaroslav Spacek broke his left hand soon thereafter, and the Sabres lost Maxim Afinogenov, who broke his left wrist, and Jiri Novotny with a high ankle sprain. Ales Kotalik was next to go down, with a knee sprain, and forward Daniel Paille broke his finger. Against the Ottawa Senators on February 22, captain Chris Drury was injured by a blow to the head by Chris Neil, sparking a wild brawl which saw a fight between Martin Biron and Senators goaltender Ray Emery, and later between Emery and Sabres enforcer Andrew Peters.
The Sabres were the last team to be involved in a trade in the 2006–07 season. On the day of the NHL trade deadline, though, they made four trades. Goaltender Martin Biron, who had been the longest-tenured Sabre, was sent to Philadelphia for Philadelphia's second-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Buffalo's fifth-round pick in that draft was sent to Columbus in exchange for another backup goalie, Ty Conklin. Jiri Novotny was sent along with Buffalo's 2007 first-round pick to Washington in exchange for Dainius Zubrus and Timo Helbling. Finally, the Sabres sent their fourth-round pick in 2007 to Nashville for Mikko Lehtonen, a minor league defenseman.
Due to injuries, many Sabres prospects were called up from the team's American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans, and made their NHL debuts during the season; Mike Card, Michael Funk, Patrick Kaleta, Clarke MacArthur, Mark Mancari, Michael Ryan, Andrej Sekera and Drew Stafford all played their first career NHL game during the 2006–07 season.
===Season standings===
===Game log===
====October====
Record for month 10–0–1 (Home 4–0–1 Away 6–0–0)
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Pts
1 	October 4 	Buffalo 	3 – 2	Carolina 	SO	Miller 	18,840 	1–0–0 	2
2 	October 6 	Montreal 	4 – 5	Buffalo 	SO	Miller 	18,690 	2–0–0 	4
3 	October 7 	Buffalo 	4 – 3	Ottawa 	 	Biron 	19,202 	3–0–0 	6
4 	October 13	Buffalo 	3 – 2	Detroit 	SO	Miller 	20,066 	4–0–0 	8
5 	October 14	NY Rangers 	4 – 7	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	5–0–0 	10
6 	October 17	Philadelphia	1 – 9	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	6–0–0 	12
7 	October 20	Carolina 	4 – 5	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	7–0–0 	14
8 	October 21	Buffalo 	6 – 2	Boston 	 	Biron 	14,382 	8–0–0 	16
9 	October 23	Buffalo 	4 – 1	Montreal 	 	Miller 	21,273 	9–0–0 	18
10	October 26	Buffalo 	3 – 0	NY Islanders	 	Miller 	8,861 	10–0–0	20
11	October 28	Atlanta 	5 – 4	Buffalo 	SO	Miller 	18,690 	10–0–1	21
====November====
Record for Month 9–3–1 (Home 4–2–1 Away 5–1–0)
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Pts
12	November 2 	Buffalo 	5 – 4	Boston 	SO	Miller 	12,547 	11–0–1	23
13	November 4 	Toronto 	4 – 1	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	11–1–1	23
14	November 5 	Buffalo 	4 – 3	NY Rangers 	OT	Biron 	18,200 	12–1–1	25
15	November 10	Florida 	4 – 5	Buffalo 	OT	Biron 	18,690 	13–1–1	27
16	November 11	Buffalo 	5 – 4	Philadelphia	OT	Biron 	19,633 	14–1–1	29
17	November 13	Buffalo 	7 – 4	Carolina 	 	Biron 	14,387 	15–1–1	31
18	November 15	Ottawa 	4 – 2	Buffalo 	 	Biron 	18,690 	15–2–1	31
19	November 17	Pittsburgh	2 – 4	Buffalo 	 	Biron 	18,690 	16–2–1	33
20	November 18	Buffalo 	1 – 4	Ottawa 	 	Miller 	19,770 	16–3–1	33
21	November 20	Tampa Bay 	2 – 7	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	17–3–1	35
22	November 22	Toronto 	4 – 7	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	18–3–1	37
23	November 24	Montreal 	2 – 1	Buffalo 	OT	Miller 	18,690 	18–3–2	38
24	November 26	Buffalo 	3 – 2	NY Rangers 	OT	Miller 	18,200 	19–3–2	40
====December====
Record for Month 9–4–1 (Home 5–2–0 Away 4–2–1)
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Pts
25	December 1 	NY Rangers	3 – 4	Buffalo 	SO	Miller 	18,690 	20–3–2	42
26	December 2 	Buffalo 	4 – 7	Washington	 	Biron 	17,162 	20–4–2	42
27	December 5 	Buffalo 	4 – 1	Tampa Bay 	 	Miller 	20,025 	21–4–2	44
28	December 7 	Buffalo 	1 – 3	Florida 	 	Miller 	15,385 	21–5–2	44
29	December 9 	Buffalo 	3 – 2	Montreal 	SO	Miller 	21,273 	22–5–2	46
30	December 12	Buffalo 	3 – 2	New Jersey	 	Miller 	11,156 	23–5–2	48
31	December 14	Florida 	1 – 2	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	24–5–2	50
32	December 16	Ottawa 	3 – 1	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	24–6–2	50
33	December 19	Montreal 	5 – 2	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	24–7–2	50
34	December 21	Buffalo 	7 – 2	Nashville 	 	Biron 	16,616 	25–7–2	52
35	December 23	Buffalo 	2 – 3	St. Louis 	OT	Biron 	12,513 	25–7–3	53
36	December 26	Washington	3 – 6	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	26–7–3	55
37	December 28	Carolina 	1 – 4	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	27–7–3	57
38	December 30	Atlanta 	1 – 4	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	28–7–3	59
====January====
Record for Month 6–7–1 (Home 4–3–0 Away 2–4–1)
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record 	Pts
39	January 1 	NY Islanders	1 – 3	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	29–7–3 	61
40	January 3 	Buffalo 	3 – 6	Ottawa 	 	Miller 	19,777 	29–8–3 	61
41	January 5 	Pittsburgh 	4 – 2	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	29–9–3 	61
42	January 6 	Buffalo 	4 – 3	Toronto 	 	Biron 	19,487 	30–9–3 	63
43	January 10	Buffalo 	2 – 1	Chicago 	 	Miller 	14,041 	31–9–3 	65
44	January 11	Toronto 	4 – 2	Buffalo 	 	Biron 	18,690 	31–10–3	65
45	January 13	Tampa Bay 	3 – 2	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	31–11–3	65
46	January 15	Buffalo 	2 – 3	Boston 	SO	Miller 	15,585 	31–11–4	66
47	January 17	Boston 	3 – 6	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	32–11–4	68
48	January 19	Vancouver 	3 – 4	Buffalo 	SO	Miller 	18,690 	33–11–4	70
49	January 20	Buffalo 	3 – 4	Montreal 	 	Biron 	21,273 	33–12–4	70
50	January 26	Buffalo 	2 – 3	Columbus 	 	Miller 	18,136 	33–13–4	70
51	January 27	Buffalo 	3 – 5	NY Islanders	 	Miller 	15,218 	33–14–4	70
52	January 30	Boston 	1 – 7	Buffalo 	 	Biron 	18,690 	34–14–4	72
====February====
Record for Month 8–2–1 (Home 5–0–1 Away 3–2–0)
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record 	Pts
53	February 1 	Buffalo 	3 – 1	Boston 	 	Biron 	13,853 	35–14–4	74
54	February 3 	Buffalo 	2 – 3	New Jersey	 	Miller 	18,589 	35–15–4	74
55	February 6 	Buffalo 	4 – 3	Atlanta 	SO	Miller 	17,881 	36–15–4	76
56	February 7 	Ottawa 	2 – 3	Buffalo 	 	Biron 	18,690 	37–15–4	78
57	February 10	Calgary 	2 – 3	Buffalo 	SO	Miller 	18,690 	38–15–4	80
58	February 15	Edmonton 	1 – 2	Buffalo 	OT	Miller 	18,690 	39–15–4	82
59	February 17	Boston 	4 – 3	Buffalo 	SO	Miller 	18,690 	39–15–5	83
60	February 20	Philadelphia	3 – 6	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	40–15–5	85
61	February 22	Ottawa 	5 – 6	Buffalo 	SO	Miller 	18,690 	41–15–5	87
62	February 24	Buffalo 	5 – 6	Ottawa 	 	Miller 	20,040 	41–16–5	87
63	February 27	Buffalo 	6 – 1	Toronto 	 	Miller 	19,588 	42–16–5	89
====March====
Record for Month 8–5–2 (Home 5–3–0 Away 3–2–2)
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record 	Pts
64	March 2 	Montreal 	5 – 8	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	43–16–5	91
65	March 3 	Buffalo 	3 – 1	Toronto 	 	Miller 	19,515 	44–16–5	93
66	March 7 	Colorado 	3 – 2	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	44–17–5	93
67	March 9 	Minnesota 	5 – 1	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	44–18–5	93
68	March 10	New Jersey 	3 – 2	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	44–19–5	93
69	March 13	Buffalo 	4 – 5	Pittsburgh	SO	Miller 	17,132 	44–19–6	94
70	March 15	Buffalo 	5 – 3	Florida 	 	Conklin 	18,111 	45–19–6	96
71	March 16	Buffalo 	3 – 2	Tampa Bay 	 	Miller 	21,264 	46–19–6	98
72	March 18	Buffalo 	3 – 4	Atlanta 	OT	Miller 	18,602 	46–19–7	99
73	March 21	Washington 	2 – 5	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	47–19–7	101
74	March 23	Toronto 	4 – 5	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	48–19–7	103
75	March 24	Buffalo 	1 – 4	Toronto 	 	Miller 	19,571 	48–20–7	103
76	March 28	New Jersey 	3 – 4	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	49–20–7	105
77	March 30	NY Islanders	4 – 6	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	50–20–7	107
78	March 31	Buffalo 	3 – 4	Montreal 	 	Conklin 	21,273 	50–21–7	107
====April====
Record for Month 4–1–0 (Home 1–0–0 Away 3–1–0)
# 	Date 	Visitor	Score	Home 	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record 	Pts
79	April 3	Buffalo	4 – 1	Pittsburgh 	 	Miller 	17,132 	51–21–7	109
80	April 5	Boston 	2 – 4	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	52–21–7	111
81	April 7	Buffalo	2 – 0	Washington 	 	Miller 	18,277 	53–21–7	113
82	April 8	Buffalo	3 – 4	Philadelphia	 	Conklin 	19,027 	53–22–7	113
*Green background indicates win.
*Red background indicates regulation loss.
*White background indicates overtime/shootout loss.
== Playoffs ==
The Sabres earned the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference by virtue of finishing with the highest point total in the conference.
===Eastern Conference Quarter-finals: vs. (8) New York Islanders===
The Sabres faced the New York Islanders in the first round of the playoffs.
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	OT	Decision	Attendance	Series
1	April 12	NY Islanders	1 – 4	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	Sabres lead 1–0
2	April 14	NY Islanders	3 – 2	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	Series tied 1–1
3	April 16	Buffalo 	3 – 2	NY Islanders	 	Miller 	16,234 	Sabres lead 2–1
4	April 18	Buffalo 	4 – 2	NY Islanders	 	Miller 	16,234 	Sabres lead 3–1
5	April 20	NY Islanders	3 – 4	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	Sabres win 4–1
===Eastern Conference Semi-finals: vs. (6) New York Rangers===
The Sabres faced the New York Rangers in the second round of the playoffs. The Rangers advanced by sweeping the Atlanta Thrashers, the number three seed, in the first round.
#	Date 	Visitor 	Score	Home 	OT 	Decision	Attendance	Series
1	April 25	NY Rangers	2 – 5	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	Sabres lead 1–0
2	April 27	NY Rangers	2 – 3	Buffalo 	 	Miller 	18,690 	Sabres lead 2–0
3	April 29	Buffalo 	1 – 2	NY Rangers	2OT	Miller 	18,200 	Sabres lead 2–1
4	May 1 	Buffalo 	1 – 2	NY Rangers	 	Miller 	18,200 	Series tied 2–2
5	May 4 	NY Rangers	1 – 2	Buffalo 	OT 	Miller 	18,690 	Sabres lead 3–2
6	May 6 	Buffalo 	5 – 4	NY Rangers	 	Miller 	18,200 	Sabres win 4–2
===Eastern Conference Finals: vs. (4) Ottawa Senators===
The Sabres faced their division rivals, the Ottawa Senators, in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Senators advanced by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round and the New Jersey Devils in the second. The Sabres lost the series, 4 games to 1.
#	Date 	Visitor	Score	Home 	OT 	Decision	Attendance	Series
1	May 10	Ottawa 	5 – 2	Buffalo	 	Miller 	18,690 	Senators lead 1–0
2	May 12	Ottawa 	4 – 3	Buffalo	2OT	Miller 	18,690 	Senators lead 2–0
3	May 14	Buffalo	0 – 1	Ottawa 	 	Miller 	20,171 	Senators lead 3–0
4	May 16	Buffalo	3 – 2	Ottawa 	 	Miller 	20,294 	Senators lead 3–1
5	May 19	Ottawa 	3 – 2	Buffalo	OT 	Miller 	18,690 	Senators win 4–1
==Player stats ==
====Scoring Leaders====
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes
  	 	 	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	 	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs
Player 	# 	 	GP 	G 	A 	Pts 	+/- 	PIM 	 	GP 	G 	A 	Pts 	+/- 	PIM
Danny Briere 	48 	 	81 	32 	63 	95 	+17 	89 	 	16 	3 	12 	15 	+3 	16
Thomas Vanek 	26 	 	82 	43 	41 	84 	+47 	40 	 	16 	6 	4 	10 	+2 	10
Chris Drury 	23 	 	77 	37 	32 	69 	+1 	30 	 	16 	8 	5 	13 	+3 	2
Jason Pominville	29 	 	82 	34 	34 	68 	+25 	30 	 	16 	4 	6 	10 	+2 	0
Derek Roy 	9 	 	75 	21 	42 	63 	+37 	60 	 	16 	2 	5 	7 	+3 	14
Maxim Afinogenov	61 	 	56 	23 	38 	61 	+19 	66 	 	15 	5 	4 	9 	+3 	6
Jochen Hecht 	55 	 	76 	19 	37 	56 	+19 	39 	 	16 	4 	1 	5 	+2 	10
Brian Campbell 	51 	 	82 	6 	42 	48 	+28 	35 	 	16 	3 	4 	7 	0 	14
Ales Kotalik 	12 	 	66 	16 	22 	38 	-5 	46 	 	16 	2 	2 	4 	-3 	8
Dmitri Kalinin 	45 	 	82 	7 	22 	29 	+19 	36 	 	16 	2 	3 	5 	+9 	14
Teppo Numminen 	27 	 	79 	2 	27 	29 	+17 	32 	 	16 	0 	4 	4 	+10 	4
Drew Stafford 	21 	 	41 	13 	14 	27 	+5 	33 	 	10 	2 	2 	4 	+3 	4
Nathan Paetsch 	38 	 	63 	2 	22 	24 	+10 	50 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
Paul Gaustad 	28 	 	54 	9 	13 	22 	+11 	74 	 	7 	0 	1 	1 	-1 	2
Jaroslav Spacek 	6 	 	65 	5 	16 	21 	+20 	62 	 	16 	0 	0 	0 	+3 	10
Toni Lydman 	5 	 	67 	2 	17 	19 	+10 	55 	 	16 	2 	2 	4 	-5 	14
Henrik Tallinder	10 	 	47 	4 	10 	14 	+19 	34 	 	16 	0 	2 	2 	-4 	10
Jiri Novotny* 	13 	 	50 	6 	7 	13 	-2 	26 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
Adam Mair 	22 	 	82 	2 	9 	11 	-1 	128 	 	16 	1 	4 	5 	+5 	10
Daniel Paille 	20 	 	29 	3 	8 	11 	+5 	18 	 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
Dainius Zubrus* 	15 	 	19 	4 	4 	8 	-3 	12 	 	15 	0 	8 	8 	+1 	8
Clarke MacArthur	41 	 	19 	3 	4 	7 	+4 	4 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
Michael Ryan 	37 	 	19 	3 	2 	5 	-8 	2 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
Andrew Peters 	76 	 	58 	1 	1 	2 	-1 	125 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
Michael Funk 	3 	 	5 	0 	2 	2 	+2 	0 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
Patrick Kaleta 	36 	 	7 	0 	2 	2 	+3 	21 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
Ryan Miller 	30 	 	63 	0 	2 	2 	N/A 	2 	 	16 	0 	0 	0 	N/A 	2
Tim Connolly 	19 	 	2 	1 	0 	1 	+1 	2 	 	16 	0 	9 	9 	+6 	4
Mark Mancari 	25 	 	3 	0 	1 	1 	-1 	2 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
Andrej Sekera 	44 	 	2 	0 	0 	0 	+1 	2 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
Mike Card 	33 	 	4 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
Ty Conklin* 	35 	 	5 	0 	0 	0 	N/A 	2 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
Martin Biron* 	43 	 	19 	0 	0 	0 	N/A 	25 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
*Stats reflect games played with Buffalo only.
*Note: Goaltenders are not assessed plus/minus ratings.
====Thomas Vanek====
Thomas Vanek finished the season with the best plus/minus rating in the entire NHL with a +47.
====Goaltending====
Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = OvertimelLosses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
  	 	 	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	 	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs	Playoffs
Player 	# 	 	GP 	TOI 	W 	L 	OTL 	GA 	SO 	SV% 	GAA 	 	GP 	TOI 	W 	L 	GA 	SO 	Sv% 	GAA
Ryan Miller 	30 	 	63 	3692 	40 	16 	6 	168 	2 	.911 	2.73 	 	16 	1029 	9 	7 	38 	0 	.922 	2.22
Martin Biron*	43 	 	19 	1066 	12 	4 	1 	54 	0 	.899 	3.04 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
Ty Conklin* 	35 	 	5 	227 	1 	2 	0 	13 	0 	.892 	3.43 	 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	-- 	--
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
*Stats reflect games played with Buffalo only.
==Coaching staff==
*Lindy Ruff - Head Coach
*Brian McCutcheon - Associate Head Coach
*James Patrick - Assistant Coach
*Jim Corsi - Goaltender Coach
*Doug McKenney - Strength and Conditioning Coach
==Transactions==
====Trades====
July 10, 2006 	To Edmonton OilersJan Hejda 	To Buffalo SabresSeventh-round pick in 2007
July 14, 2006 	To Vancouver CanucksTaylor Pyatt 	To Buffalo SabresFourth-round pick in 2007
February 27, 2007	To Philadelphia Flyers Martin Biron 	To Buffalo Sabres Second-round pick in 2007
February 27, 2007	To Columbus Blue Jackets Fifth-round pick in 2007 	To Buffalo Sabres Ty Conklin
February 27, 2007	To Washington Capitals Jiri Novotny First-round pick in 2007	To Buffalo Sabres Dainius Zubrus Timo Helbling
February 27, 2007	To Nashville Predators Fourth-round pick in 2007 	To Buffalo Sabres Mikko Lehtonen
====Free Agents Acquired====
Player 	Former Team
D Jaroslav Spacek	Edmonton Oilers
====Free agents lost====
Player 	New Team
D Jay McKee 	St. Louis Blues
F Mike Grier 	San Jose Sharks
D Doug Janik 	Tampa Bay Lightning
G Michael Leighton	Anaheim Ducks
D Rory Fitzpatrick	Vancouver Canucks
F J.P. Dumont 	Nashville Predators
====Lost to waivers====
Player 	New Team 	Date
F Chris Thorburn	Pittsburgh Penguins	October 3
==Roster==
 
Goaltenders:
•
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Defensemen
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•
•
•
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Forwards
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==Draft picks==
Buffalo's picks at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver, British Columbia.2006 NHL Entry Draft Results nhl.com - accessed December 9, 2006 The Sabres had the 24th overall draft pick for their success in the 2005–06 NHL season.
Round	# 	Player 	Nationality	NHL Team 	College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 	24 	Dennis Persson (D) 	 	Buffalo Sabres 	VIK Västerås HK (Allsvenskan)
2 	46 	Jhonas Enroth (G) 	 	Buffalo Sabres (from Vancouver)	Södertälje SK (Elitserien)
2 	57 	Mike Weber (D) 	 	Buffalo Sabres 	Windsor (OHL)
4 	117	Felix Schutz (C) 	 	Buffalo Sabres 	Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
5 	147	Alex Biega (D) 	 	Buffalo Sabres 	Salisbury (USHS-CN)
7 	207	Benjamin Breault (C)	 	Buffalo Sabres 	Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
==Farm teams==
==See also==
*2006–07 NHL Season
==References==
*Game log: Buffalo Sabres game log on espn.com
*Team standings: NHL standings on espn.com
==External links==
*Official website of the Buffalo Sabres
Category:Buffalo Sabres seasons
Category:2006 in hockey
Category:2007 in hockey