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2024–25 Buffalo Sabres season

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2024–25 Buffalo Sabres
DivisionAtlantic
ConferenceEastern
2024–25 record4–7–1
Home record3–4–0
Road record1–3–1
Goals for36
Goals against42
Team information
General managerKevyn Adams
CoachLindy Ruff
CaptainRasmus Dahlin
Alternate captainsDylan Cozens
Mattias Samuelsson
Tage Thompson
Alex Tuch
ArenaKeyBank Center
Minor league affiliate(s)Rochester Americans (AHL)
Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL)
Team leaders
GoalsTage Thompson (7)
Assists5 players tied (6)
PointsTage Thompson (13)
Penalty minutesJason Zucker (21)
Plus/minusHenri Jokiharju (+6)
WinsUkko-Pekka Luukkonen (3)
Goals against averageUkko-Pekka Luukkonen (3.16)
  →

The 2024–25 Buffalo Sabres season is the 55th season of play for the Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Sabres will attempt to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2011 and end the longest playoff drought in NHL history.

Standings

[edit]

Divisional standings

[edit]
Atlantic Division
Pos Team GP W L OTL RW GF GA GD Pts
1 Florida Panthers 14 10 3 1 9 54 43 +11 21
2 Toronto Maple Leafs 15 8 5 2 8 46 40 +6 18
3 Tampa Bay Lightning 14 7 6 1 6 49 45 +4 15
4 Boston Bruins 15 7 7 1 4 38 49 −11 15
5 Detroit Red Wings 13 6 6 1 6 34 39 −5 13
6 Buffalo Sabres 14 6 7 1 6 47 44 +3 13
7 Ottawa Senators 13 6 7 0 5 45 42 +3 12
8 Montreal Canadiens 14 4 8 2 4 38 58 −20 10
Updated to game(s) played on November 8, 2024. Source: National Hockey League[1]
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)

Conference standings

[edit]
Eastern Conference Wild Card
Pos Div Team GP W L OTL RW GF GA GD Pts
1 ME New York Rangers 12 8 3 1 8 45 30 +15 17
2 AT Boston Bruins 15 7 7 1 4 38 49 −11 15
3 ME New York Islanders 14 6 6 2 3 36 42 −6 14
4 ME Pittsburgh Penguins 16 6 8 2 4 46 61 −15 14
5 AT Detroit Red Wings 13 6 6 1 6 34 39 −5 13
6 AT Buffalo Sabres 14 6 7 1 6 47 44 +3 13
7 ME Columbus Blue Jackets 12 5 5 2 5 40 40 0 12
8 AT Ottawa Senators 13 6 7 0 5 45 42 +3 12
9 ME Philadelphia Flyers 14 5 8 1 3 37 51 −14 11
10 AT Montreal Canadiens 14 4 8 2 4 38 58 −20 10
Updated to game(s) played on November 8, 2024. Source: National Hockey League[2]
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)

Preseason

[edit]

The preseason schedule was published on June 24, 2024.[3]

Regular season

[edit]

The regular season schedule was published on July 2, 2024.

2024–25 game log
November: 2–2–0 (Home: 1–1–0; Road: 1–1–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap
11 November 1 NY Islanders 4–3 Buffalo Levi 17,074 4–6–1 9 [21]
12 November 2 Buffalo 1–2 Detroit Luukkonen 19,515 4–7–1 9 [22]
13 November 5 Ottawa 1–5 Buffalo Luukkonen 12,260 5–7–1 11 [23]
14 November 7 Buffalo 1–6 NY Rangers Luukkonen 18,006 6–7–1 13 [24]
15 November 9 Calgary Buffalo
16 November 11 Montreal Buffalo
17 November 14 St. Louis Buffalo
18 November 16 Buffalo Philadelphia
19 November 20 Buffalo Los Angeles
20 November 22 Buffalo Anaheim
21 November 23 Buffalo San Jose
22 November 27 Minnesota Buffalo
23 November 29 Vancouver Buffalo
24 November 30 Buffalo NY Islanders

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)
Notes:
A Game played at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic

Player statistics

[edit]

As of October 28, 2024

Skaters

[edit]
Regular season[25]
Player GP G A Pts +/− PIM
Tage Thompson 10 7 5 12 +3 4
Alex Tuch 10 3 6 9 +3 11
JJ Peterka 8 4 4 8 +5 2
Owen Power 10 2 6 8 −1 2
Jason Zucker 10 2 5 7 +1 16
Rasmus Dahlin 10 1 5 6 +2 8
Ryan McLeod 10 4 1 5 +3 2
Jordan Greenway 9 2 2 4 +2 4
Bowen Byram 10 1 3 4 −1 2
Henri Jokiharju 10 1 2 3 +5 2
Peyton Krebs 9 1 2 3 −2 11
Dylan Cozens 10 0 3 3 −2 14
Beck Malenstyn 10 1 1 2 0 4
Jack Quinn 9 1 1 2 −4 0
Connor Clifton 10 0 2 2 +2 6
Mattias Samuelsson 10 1 0 1 −1 2
Jiri Kulich 7 1 0 1 0 2
Nicolas Aube-Kubel 2 0 0 0 −1 2
Sam Lafferty 9 0 0 0 −1 6
Dennis Gilbert 1 0 0 0 0 0
Zach Benson 6 0 0 0 −4 2

Goaltenders

[edit]
Regular season[26]
Player GP GS TOI W L OT GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen 7 7 417:10 3 3 1 23 3.31 210 .890 0 0 0 0
Devon Levi 3 3 174:06 1 2 0 11 3.79 87 .874 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.

Roster

[edit]

Updated November 7, 2024[27][28]

No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
96 Canada Nicolas Aube-Kubel RW R 28 2024 Slave Lake, Alberta
9 Canada Zach Benson LW L 19 2023 Langley, British Columbia
78 Canada Jacob Bryson D L 26 2017 London, Ontario
4 Canada Bowen Byram D L 23 2024 Cranbrook, British Columbia
75 United States Connor Clifton D R 29 2023 Long Branch, New Jersey
24 Canada Dylan Cozens (A) C R 23 2019 Whitehorse, Yukon
26 Sweden Rasmus Dahlin (C) D L 24 2018 Trollhättan, Sweden
8 United States Dennis Gilbert D L 28 2024 Buffalo, New York
12 United States Jordan Greenway LW L 27 2023 Canton, New York
10 Finland Henri Jokiharju D R 25 2019 Oulu, Finland
19 Canada Peyton Krebs C L 23 2021 Okotoks, Alberta
81 United States Sam Lafferty C R 29 2024 Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
27 Canada Devon Levi G L 22 2021 Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec
1 Finland Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen G L 25 2017 Espoo, Finland
29 Canada Beck Malenstyn LW L 26 2024 Delta, British Columbia
71 Canada Ryan McLeod C L 25 2024 Mississauga, Ontario
77 Germany JJ Peterka LW L 22 2020 Munich, Germany
25 Canada Owen Power D L 21 2021 Mississauga, Ontario
22 Canada Jack Quinn RW R 23 2020 Ottawa, Ontario
23 United States Mattias Samuelsson (A) D L 24 2018 Voorhees, New Jersey
72 United States Tage Thompson (A) C R 27 2018 Phoenix, Arizona
89 United States Alex Tuch (A) RW R 28 2021 Syracuse, New York
17 United States Jason Zucker LW L 32 2024 Newport Beach, California


Transactions

[edit]

The Sabres have been involved in the following transactions during the 2024–25 season.

Key:  †  Contract is entry-level.
 ‡  Contract initially takes effect in the 2025–26 season.

Trades

[edit]
Date Details Ref
June 29, 2024 (2024-06-29) To Washington Capitals
2nd-round pick in 2024
To Buffalo Sabres
Beck Malenstyn
[29]
July 5, 2024 (2024-07-05) To Edmonton Oilers
Matthew Savoie
To Buffalo Sabres
Ryan McLeod
Tyler Tullio
[30]

Players acquired

[edit]
Date Player Former team Term Via Ref
July 1, 2024 (2024-07-01) Nicolas Aube-Kubel Washington Capitals 1-year Free agency [31]
Josh Dunne Columbus Blue Jackets 2-year Free agency [32]
Dennis Gilbert Calgary Flames 1-year Free agency [33]
Sam Lafferty Vancouver Canucks 2-year Free agency [34]
Jack Rathbone Pittsburgh Penguins 1-year Free agency [32]
Felix Sandstrom Philadelphia Flyers 1-year Free agency [32]
Jason Zucker Nashville Predators 1-year Free agency [35]
July 2, 2024 (2024-07-02) Colton Poolman Calgary Flames 1-year Free agency [36]
James Reimer Detroit Red Wings 1-year Free agency [37]

Players lost

[edit]
Date Player New team Term Via Ref
June 30, 2024 (2024-06-30) Jeff Skinner Edmonton Oilers 1-year Buyout [38][39]
July 1, 2024 (2024-07-01) Brandon Biro Seattle Kraken 1-year Free agency [40]
Joseph Cecconi Minnesota Wild 1-year Free agency [41]
Eric Comrie Winnipeg Jets 2-year Free agency [42]
Jeremy Davies Ottawa Senators 1-year Free agency [43]
Zemgus Girgensons Tampa Bay Lightning 3-year Free agency [44]
Tyson Jost Carolina Hurricanes 1-year Free agency [45]
Eric Robinson Carolina Hurricanes 1-year Free agency [46]
July 2, 2024 (2024-07-02) Victor Olofsson Vegas Golden Knights 1-year Free agency [47]
July 3, 2024 (2024-07-03) Riley Stillman Carolina Hurricanes 1-year Free agency [48]
October 7, 2024 (2024-10-07) James Reimer Anaheim Ducks Waivers [49]

Signings

[edit]
Date Player Term Ref
June 28, 2024 (2024-06-28) Kale Clague 1-year [50]
July 1, 2024 (2024-07-01) Jacob Bryson 1-year [51]
Mason Jobst 1-year [52]
Brett Murray 1-year [52]
July 5, 2024 (2024-07-05) Henri Jokiharju 1-year [53]
July 8, 2024 (2024-07-08) Konsta Helenius 3-year† [54]
July 23, 2024 (2024-07-23) Beck Malenstyn 2-year [55]
July 24, 2024 (2024-07-24) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen 5-year [56]
September 17, 2024 (2024-09-17) Peyton Krebs 2-year [57]
October 19, 2024 (2024-10-19) Scott Ratzlaff 3-year† [58]

Draft picks

[edit]

Below are the Buffalo Sabres selections at the 2024 NHL entry draft, which was held on June 28 and 29, 2024, at Sphere in Paradise, Nevada.

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 14 Konsta Helenius C  Finland Mikkelin Jukurit (Liiga)
2 42 Adam Kleber D  United States Lincoln Stars (USHL)
3 71 Brodie Ziemer RW  United States U.S. NTDP (USHL)
4 108 Luke Osburn D  United States Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
4 123 Simon-Pier Brunet D  Canada Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
6 172 Patrick Geary D  United States Michigan State Spartans (Big Ten)
7 204 Vasili Zelenov RW  Russia Red Bull Hockey Juniors (AlpsHL)
7 219 Ryerson Leenders G  Canada Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "NHL Hockey Standings". NHL.com. National Hockey League.
  2. ^ "NHL Hockey Standings". NHL.com. National Hockey League.
  3. ^ LaBarber, Jourdon (June 24, 2024). "Sabres announce 2024-25 preseason schedule". NHL.com. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  4. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Pittsburgh Penguins - September 21, 2024". NHL.com. September 21, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  5. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Columbus Blue Jackets - September 23, 2024". NHL.com. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Pittsburgh Penguins - September 24, 2024". NHL.com. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  7. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Ottawa Senators - September 26, 2024". NHL.com. September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  8. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - EHC Red Bull München - September 27, 2024". NHL.com. September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  9. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Columbus Blue Jackets - September 28, 2024". NHL.com. September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  10. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Detroit Red Wings - September 30, 2024". NHL.com. September 30, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  11. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - New Jersey Devils - Oct 4, 2024". NHL.com. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  12. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - New Jersey Devils - Oct 5, 2024". NHL.com. October 5, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  13. ^ "Los Angeles Kings - Buffalo Sabres - Oct 10, 2024". NHL.com. October 10, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  14. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Florida Panthers - Oct 12, 2024". NHL.com. October 12, 2024. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  15. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Pittsburgh Penguins - Oct 16, 2024". NHL.com. October 16, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  16. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Columbus Blue Jackets - Oct 17, 2024". NHL.com. October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  17. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Chicago Blackhawks - Oct 19, 2024". NHL.com. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  18. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Dallas Stars - Oct 22, 2024". NHL.com. October 22, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  19. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Detroit Red Wings - Oct 26, 2024". NHL.com. October 26, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  20. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Florida Panthers - Oct 28, 2024". NHL.com. October 28, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  21. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - New York Islanders - Nov 1, 2024". NHL.com. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  22. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Detroit Red Wings - Nov 2, 2024". NHL.com. November 2, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  23. ^ "Buffalo Sabres - Ottawa Senators - Nov 5, 2024". NHL.com. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  24. ^ "Buffalo Sabres – New York Rangers – Nov 7, 2024". NHL.com. November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  25. ^ "2024–25 Buffalo Sabres Stats – Skaters". NHL.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  26. ^ "2024–25 Buffalo Sabres Stats – Goalies". NHL.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  27. ^ "Buffalo Sabres Roster". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  28. ^ "Buffalo Sabres Hockey Transactions". The Sports Network. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  29. ^ "Sabres acquire Malenstyn from Capitals". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. June 29, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  30. ^ "Sabres acquire forwards McLeod, Tullio from Oilers". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  31. ^ "Sabres sign Aube-Kubel to 1-year contract". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  32. ^ a b c "Sabres sign 5 players to 2-way contracts". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  33. ^ "Buffalo native Gilbert joins Sabres on 1-year deal". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  34. ^ "Lafferty joins Sabres on 2-year contract". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  35. ^ "Sabres sign Zucker to 1-year contract". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  36. ^ "Sabres sign Poolman to 1-year, 2-way deal". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  37. ^ "Sabres sign Reimer to 1-year contract". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  38. ^ "Sabres buy out Skinner's contract". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  39. ^ "RELEASE: Oilers sign Jeff Skinner to one-year contract". NHL.com. Edmonton Oilers. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  40. ^ "Seattle Kraken Agree to Terms with Five Free Agents". NHL.com. Seattle Kraken. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  41. ^ "Minnesota Wild Agrees to Terms with Eight Players". NHL.com. Minnesota Wild. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  42. ^ "Jets sign goaltender Eric Comrie to a two-year contract". NHL.com. Winnipeg Jets. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  43. ^ "Davies signs with the Sens". NHL.com. Ottawa Senators. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  44. ^ "Lightning sign F Zemgus Girgensons to a three-year contract". NHL.com. Tampa Bay Lightning. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  45. ^ "Canes Sign Jost To One-Year Contract". NHL.com. Carolina Hurricanes. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  46. ^ "Canes Sign Robinson To One-Year Contract". NHL.com. Carolina Hurricanes. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  47. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Sign Forward Victor Olofsson to One-Year Contract". NHL.com. Vegas Golden Knights. July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  48. ^ "Canes Sign Stillman To One-Year Contract". NHL.com. Vegas Golden Knights. July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  49. ^ "Ducks Claim Goaltender Reimer off Waivers from Buffalo". NHL.com. Anaheim Ducks. October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  50. ^ "Sabres re-sign Clague to 1-year deal". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  51. ^ "Bryson returns to Sabres on 1-year deal". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  52. ^ a b "Sabres sign 5 players to 2-way contracts". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  53. ^ "Sabres re-sign Jokiharju to 1-year contract". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  54. ^ "Sabres sign Helenius to 3-year, entry-level contract". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  55. ^ "Sabres agree to terms with Malenstyn on 2-year contract". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  56. ^ "Sabres agree to terms with Luukkonen on 5-year deal". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  57. ^ "Sabres sign Krebs to 2-year contract". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. September 17, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  58. ^ "Sabres sign Ratzlaff to entry-level contract". NHL.com. Buffalo Sabres. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.