2014–15 Buffalo Sabres season

2014–15 Buffalo Sabres
Division	8th Atlantic
Conference	16th Eastern
2014–15 record	23–51–8
Home record	14–22–5
Road record	9–29–3
Goals for	161
Goals against	274
Team information
General Manager	Tim Murray
Coach	Ted Nolan
Captain	Brian Gionta
Alternate captains	Josh Gorges Matt Moulson
Arena	First Niagara Center
Average attendance	18,580[1] (41 games)
Team leaders
Goals	Tyler Ennis (20)
Assists	Matt Moulson (28)
Points	Tyler Ennis (46)
Penalties in minutes	Nicolas Deslauriers (71)
Plus/minus	(+): Mark Pysyk (4) (−): Rasmus Ristolainen (−32)
Wins	Jhonas Enroth (13)
Goals against average	Michal Neuvirth (2.99)
<2013–14 2015–16>

The 2014–15 Buffalo Sabres season was the 45th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.^[2] The team finished last place overall in the league with 54 points and did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Off-season

Summer sessions

The Sabres held their annual Summer Development Camp for the team's prospects and young players from July 14–18, 2014.^[3] The highlight of the camp was the annual Blue-White Game, held on July 15, which drew a crowd of over 8,000 spectators to the First Niagara Center.^[4]

The Sabres also sent a team to the Traverse City Prospects Tournament in September.^[5]

Training camp

The Sabres played in six pre-season exhibition games before the start of the 2014–15 regular season.^[6]

Standings

Divisional standings

Atlantic Division

Pos	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	ROW	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	y – Montreal Canadiens	82	50	22	10	43	221	189	+32	110
2	x – Tampa Bay Lightning	82	50	24	8	47	262	211	+51	108
3	x – Detroit Red Wings	82	43	25	14	39	235	221	+14	100
4	x – Ottawa Senators	82	43	26	13	37	238	215	+23	99
5	Boston Bruins	82	41	27	14	37	213	211	+2	96
6	Florida Panthers	82	38	29	15	30	206	223	−17	91
7	Toronto Maple Leafs	82	30	44	8	25	211	262	−51	68
8	Buffalo Sabres	82	23	51	8	15	161	274	−113	54

Source: National Hockey League
x – Clinched playoff spot; y – Clinched division.

Conference standings

Top 3 (Atlantic Division)

Pos	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	ROW	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	y – Montreal Canadiens	82	50	22	10	43	221	189	+32	110
2	x – Tampa Bay Lightning	82	50	24	8	47	262	211	+51	108
3	x – Detroit Red Wings	82	43	25	14	39	235	221	+14	100

Source: National Hockey League
x – Clinched playoff spot; y – Clinched division.

Top 3 (Metropolitan Division)

Pos	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	ROW	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	p – New York Rangers	82	53	22	7	49	252	192	+60	113
2	x – Washington Capitals	82	45	26	11	40	242	203	+39	101
3	x – New York Islanders	82	47	28	7	40	252	230	+22	101

Source: National Hockey League
p – Clinched Presidents Trophy; x – Clinched playoff spot.

Eastern Conference Wild Card

Pos	Div	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	ROW	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	AT	x – Ottawa Senators	82	43	26	13	37	238	215	+23	99
2	ME	x – Pittsburgh Penguins	82	43	27	12	39	221	210	+11	98
3	AT	Boston Bruins	82	41	27	14	37	213	211	+2	96
4	AT	Florida Panthers	82	38	29	15	30	206	223	−17	91
5	ME	Columbus Blue Jackets	82	42	35	5	33	236	250	−14	89
6	ME	Philadelphia Flyers	82	33	31	18	30	215	234	−19	84
7	ME	New Jersey Devils	82	32	36	14	27	181	216	−35	78
8	ME	Carolina Hurricanes	82	30	41	11	25	188	226	−38	71
9	AT	Toronto Maple Leafs	82	30	44	8	25	211	262	−51	68
10	AT	Buffalo Sabres	82	23	51	8	15	161	274	−113	54

Source: National Hockey League
x – Clinched playoff spot.

Suspensions/fines

Player	Explanation	Length	Salary	Date issued
Michal Neuvirth	Diving/Embellishment during NHL Game No. 886 in Nashville on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at 2:23 of the second period.	—	$2,000.00	February 25, 2015[7]

Schedule and results

Pre-season

2014 Pre-Season Game Log: 2–3–1 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 0–2–1)
#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Recap
1	September 21	Buffalo	0–1	Washington		Lieuwen	16,707	0–1–0	Recap
2	September 23	Carolina	0–2	Buffalo		Enroth	18,546	1–1–0	Recap
3	September 26	Toronto	6–4	Buffalo		Neuvirth	18,942	1–2–0	Recap
4	September 28	Buffalo	2–3	Toronto	SO	Makarov	17,249	1–2–1	Recap
5	October 1	Washington	1–6	Buffalo		Enroth	18,228	2–2–1	Recap
6	October 3	Buffalo	1–5	Carolina		Neuvirth	7,890	2–3–1	Recap

Regular season

2014–15 Game Log Record: 23–49–8 (Home: 14–21–5 ; Road: 9–28–3)
October: 2–8–1 (Home: 0–4–1 ; Road: 2–4–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 1 October 9 Columbus 3–1 Buffalo Enroth 18,215 0–1–0 0 Recap 2 October 11 Buffalo 2–6 Chicago Enroth 22,012 0–2–0 0 Recap 3 October 13 Anaheim 5–1 Buffalo Neuvirth 18,912 0–3–0 0 Recap 4 October 14 Buffalo 4–3 Carolina SO Enroth 14,930 1–3–0 2 Recap 5 October 17 Florida 1–0 Buffalo Enroth 17,864 1–4–0 2 Recap 6 October 18 Boston 4–0 Buffalo Enroth 18,685 1–5–0 2 Recap 7 October 22 Buffalo 1–4 Anaheim Neuvirth 16,067 1–6–0 2 Recap 8 October 23 Buffalo 0–2 Los Angeles Enroth 18,230 1–7–0 2 Recap 9 October 25 Buffalo 2–1 San Jose Neuvirth 17,370 2–7–0 4 Recap 10 October 28 Buffalo 0–4 Toronto Neuvirth 18,898 2–8–0 4 Recap 11 October 30 Boston 3–2 Buffalo OT Enroth 17,477 2–8–1 5 Recap
November: 6–6–1 (Home: 4–3–1 ; Road: 2–3–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 12 November 1 Buffalo 0–5 Pittsburgh Enroth 18,652 2–9–1 5 Recap 13 November 2 Detroit 2–3 Buffalo SO Neuvirth 17,815 3–9–1 7 Recap 14 November 5 Montreal 2–1 Buffalo SO Neuvirth 17,837 3–9–2 8 Recap 15 November 7 Edmonton 3–2 Buffalo Neuvirth 17,490 3–10–2 8 Recap 16 November 8 Pittsburgh 6–1 Buffalo Enroth 19,070 3–11–2 8 Recap 17 November 11 Buffalo 1–6 St. Louis Neuvirth 17,570 3–12–2 8 Recap 18 November 13 Buffalo 3–6 Minnesota Enroth 18,925 3–13–2 8 Recap 19 November 15 Toronto 2–6 Buffalo Neuvirth 19,070 4–13–2 10 Recap 20 November 18 San Jose 1–4 Buffalo Enroth 17,435[8] 5–13–2 12 Recap – November 21 NY Rangers Buffalo Game rescheduled to February 20 due to hazardous weather in Buffalo. 21 November 22 Buffalo 2–1 Washington Enroth 18,506 6–13–2 14 Recap 22 November 26 Winnipeg 2–1 Buffalo Enroth 18,442 6–14–2 14 Recap 23 November 28 Montreal 1–2 Buffalo Enroth 19,070 7–14–2 16 Recap 24 November 29 Buffalo 4–3 Montreal SO Enroth 21,287 8–14–2 18 Recap
December: 6–7–1 (Home: 6–2–0 ; Road: 0–5–1) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 25 December 2 Tampa Bay 1–2 Buffalo SO Enroth 17,772 9–14–2 20 Recap 26 December 4 Buffalo 0–5 Tampa Bay Enroth 17,767 9–15–2 20 Recap 27 December 6 Buffalo 2–3 Florida Neuvirth 8,597 9–16–2 20 Recap 28 December 9 Los Angeles 0–1 Buffalo Enroth 18,438 10–16–2 22 Recap 29 December 11 Calgary 3–4 Buffalo Enroth 18,208 11–16–2 24 Recap 30 December 13 Florida 3–4 Buffalo OT Enroth 18,450 12–16–2 26 Recap 31 December 15 Ottawa 4–5 Buffalo SO Enroth 14,578 13–16–2 28 Recap 32 December 16 Buffalo 1–5 Winnipeg Neuvirth 15,016 13–17–2 28 Recap 33 December 20 Colorado 5–1 Buffalo Enroth 18,831 13–18–2 28 Recap 34 December 21 Buffalo 3–4 Boston OT Enroth 17,565 13–18–3 29 Recap 35 December 23 Buffalo 3–6 Detroit Neuvirth 20,027 13–19–3 29 Recap 36 December 27 NY Islanders 3–4 Buffalo SO Enroth 19,070 14–19–3 31 Recap 37 December 29 Buffalo 2–5 Ottawa Enroth 18,284 14–20–3 31 Recap 38 December 31 Tampa Bay 5–1 Buffalo Enroth 19,070 14–21–3 31 Recap
January: 0–12–0 (Home: 0–4–0 ; Road: 0–8–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 39 January 2 Florida 2–0 Buffalo Neuvirth 19,070 14–22–3 31 Recap 40 January 3 Buffalo 1–6 NY Rangers Neuvirth 18,006 14–23–3 31 Recap 41 January 6 Buffalo 1–4 New Jersey Enroth 15,162 14–24–3 31 Recap 42 January 8 Buffalo 2–5 Carolina Enroth 9,781 14–25–3 31 Recap 43 January 9 Buffalo 1–2 Tampa Bay Neuvirth 19,204 14–26–3 31 Recap 44 January 13 Detroit 3–1 Buffalo Neuvirth 19,070 14–27–3 31 Recap 45 January 15 Minnesota 7–0 Buffalo Enroth 18,963 14–28–3 31 Recap 46 January 17 Philadelphia 4–3 Buffalo Neuvirth 19,070 14–29–3 31 Recap 47 January 18 Buffalo 4–6 Detroit Enroth 20,027 14–30–3 31 Recap 48 January 27 Buffalo 1–4 Calgary Enroth 18,563 14–31–3 31 Recap 49 January 29 Buffalo 2–3 Edmonton Enroth 16,839 14–32–3 31 Recap 50 January 30 Buffalo 2–5 Vancouver Hackett 18,570 14–33–3 31 Recap
February: 5–6–2 (Home: 2–5–1 ; Road: 3–1–1) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 51 February 3 Buffalo 3–2 Montreal Enroth 21,286 15–33–3 33 Recap 52 February 5 St. Louis 3–0 Buffalo Enroth 18,912 15–34–3 33 Recap 53 February 7 Dallas 2–3 Buffalo Enroth 18,426 16–34–3 35 Recap 54 February 8 NY Islanders 3–2 Buffalo Neuvirth 18,900 16–35–3 35 Recap 55 February 10 Ottawa 2–1 Buffalo Enroth 19,070 16–36–3 35 Recap 56 February 15 Philadelphia 2–1 Buffalo Neuvirth 18,759 16–37–3 35 Recap 57 February 17 Buffalo 1–2 New Jersey SO Neuvirth 13,517 16–37–4 36 Recap 58 February 19 Buffalo 3–2 Philadelphia SO Neuvirth 19,472 17–37–4 38 Recap 59 February 20 NY Rangers 3–1 Buffalo Neuvirth 19,070 17–38–4 38 Recap 60 February 22 Nashville 2–1 Buffalo SO Neuvirth 19,070 17–38–5 39 Recap 61 February 24 Buffalo 4–2 Columbus Neuvirth 13,671 18–38–5 41 Recap 62 February 26 Vancouver 3–6 Buffalo Neuvirth 19,070 19–38–5 43 Recap 63 February 28 Buffalo 3–5 Florida Neuvirth 10,374 19–39–5 43 Recap
March: 2–8–3 (Home: 0–2–2 ; Road: 2–6–1) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 64 March 3 Buffalo 0–3 Tampa Bay Lindback 18,922 19–40–5 43 Recap 65 March 6 Buffalo 2–3 Ottawa Lindback 18,241 19–41–5 43 Recap 66 March 7 Buffalo 1–6 Washington Hackett 18,506 19–42–5 43 Recap 67 March 11 Buffalo 3–4 Toronto SO Lindback 18,844 19–42–6 44 Recap 68 March 14 NY Rangers 2–0 Buffalo Lindback 19,070 19–43–6 44 Recap 69 March 16 Washington 4–3 Buffalo SO Lindback 19,070 19–43–7 45 Recap 70 March 17 Buffalo 2–1 Boston SO Lindback 17,565 20–43–7 47 Recap 71 March 20 New Jersey 3–1 Buffalo Lindback 19,070 20–44–7 47 Recap 72 March 21 Buffalo 0–3 Nashville Hackett 17,113 20–45–7 47 Recap 73 March 23 Buffalo 3–4 Dallas Lindback 18,113 20–46–7 47 Recap 74 March 26 Arizona 4–3 Buffalo OT Hackett 19,070 20–46–8 48 Recap 75 March 28 Buffalo 3–5 Colorado Hackett 18,007 20–47–8 48 Recap 76 March 30 Buffalo 4–1 Arizona Lindback 13,612 21–47–8 50 Recap
April: 2–4–0 (Home: 2–2–0 ; Road: 0–2–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 77 April 1 Toronto 3–4 Buffalo Lindback 19,070 22–47–8 52 Recap 78 April 3 Chicago 3–4 Buffalo Lindback 19,070 22–48–8 52 Recap 79 April 4 Buffalo 0–3 NY Islanders Makarov 16,170 22–49–8 52 Recap 80 April 6 Carolina 3–4 Buffalo Lindback 19,070 23–49–8 54 Recap 81 April 10 Buffalo 2–4 Columbus Lindback 17,855 23–50–8 54 Recap 82 April 11 Pittsburgh 2–0 Buffalo Lindback 19,070 23–51–8 54 Recap
Legend:       Win (2 points)       Loss (0 points)       Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

Player stats

Final stats

Skaters

Regular Season[9] Player GP G A Pts +/− PIM Ennis, TylerTyler Ennis 78 20 26 46 −19 37 Moulson, MattMatt Moulson 77 13 28 41 −11 4 Gionta, BrianBrian Gionta 69 13 22 35 −13 18 Girgensons, ZemgusZemgus Girgensons 61 15 15 30 −16 25 Stewart, ChrisChris Stewart^‡ 61 11 14 25 −30 63 Stafford, DrewDrew Stafford^‡ 50 9 15 24 −18 39 Foligno, MarcusMarcus Foligno 57 8 12 20 −5 50 Ristolainen, RasmusRasmus Ristolainen 78 8 12 20 −32 26 Flynn, BrianBrian Flynn^‡ 54 5 12 17 −3 8 Larsson, JohanJohan Larsson 39 6 10 16 0 12 Deslauriers, NicolasNicolas Deslauriers 82 5 10 15 −24 71 Zadorov, NikitaNikita Zadorov 60 3 12 15 −10 51 Meszaros, AndrejAndrej Meszaros 60 7 7 14 −13 36 Hodgson, CodyCody Hodgson 78 6 7 13 −28 12 Mitchell, TorreyTorrey Mitchell^‡ 51 6 7 13 −6 26 Myers, TylerTyler Myers^‡ 47 4 9 13 −15 61 Benoit, AndreAndre Benoit 59 1 8 9 −19 20 Weber, MikeMike Weber 64 1 6 7 −22 68 Bogosian, ZachZach Bogosian^† 21 0 7 7 −7 38 Gorges, JoshJosh Gorges 46 0 6 6 −28 16 Grigorenko, MikhailMikhail Grigorenko 25 3 3 6 −10 2 Strachan, TysonTyson Strachan 46 0 5 5 −30 44 Varone, PhilipPhilip Varone 28 3 2 5 −14 10 McCormick, CodyCody McCormick 33 1 3 4 −9 40 Kaleta, PatrickPatrick Kaleta 42 0 3 3 −11 36 Dalpe, ZacZac Dalpe 21 1 2 3 −11 4 Pysyk, MarkMark Pysyk 7 2 1 3 4 2 Ellis, MattMatt Ellis 39 1 1 2 −12 4 Schaller, TimTim Schaller 18 1 1 2 −5 2 Ruhwedel, ChadChad Ruhwedel 4 0 1 1 3 0 Reinhart, SamSam Reinhart 9 0 1 1 −1 2 D'Amigo, JerryJerry D'Amigo 9 0 0 0 −4 2 McCabe, JakeJake McCabe 2 0 0 0 0 0 Armia, JoelJoel Armia^‡ 1 0 0 0 0 0

Goaltenders

Regular Season^[9]

Player	GP	GS	TOI	W	L	OT	GA	GAA	SA	SV%	SO	G	A	PIM
Enroth, JhonasJhonas Enroth^‡	37	35	2204	13	21	2	120	3.27	1237	0.903	1	0	0	0
Neuvirth, MichalMichal Neuvirth^‡	27	27	1544	6	17	3	77	2.99	941	0.918	0	0	0	0
Lindback, AndersAnders Lindback^†	16	15	891	4	8	2	41	2.76	542	0.924	0	0	0	4
Hackett, MattMatt Hackett	5	4	250	0	4	1	18	4.32	155	0.884	0	0	0	0
Makarov, AndreyAndrey Makarov	1	1	60	0	1	0	3	3.00	36	0.917	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.

Notable achievements

Awards

Regular Season Player Award Awarded Ennis, T.T. Ennis NHL First Star of the Week[10] December 15, 2014 Girgensons, Z.Z. Girgensons NHL All-Star game selection[11] January 10, 2015

Milestones

Regular Season Player Milestone Reached Reinhart, S.S. Reinhart 1st Career NHL Game October 9, 2014 Moulson, M.M. Moulson 400th Career NHL Game October 13, 2014 S. Reinhart 1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point October 25, 2014 Ennis, T.T. Ennis 100th Career NHL Assist November 5, 2014 Stewart, C.C. Stewart 400th Career NHL Game November 13, 2014 Myers, T.T. Myers 100th Career NHL Assist November 18, 2014 Meszaros, A.A. Meszaros 600th Career NHL Game November 22, 2014 Gionta, B.B. Gionta 800th Career NHL Game November 29, 2014 Schaller, T.T. Schaller 1st Career NHL Game Enroth, J.J. Enroth 100th Career NHL Game December 11, 2014 Gorges, J.J. Gorges 100th Career NHL Point Girgensons, Z.Z. Girgensons 100th Career NHL Game December 13, 2014 Ennis, T.T. Ennis 300th Career NHL Game December 20, 2014 Larsson, J.J. Larsson 1st Career NHL Goal December 20, 2014 Schaller, T.T. Schaller 1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Point December 21, 2014 Armia, J.J. Armia 1st Career NHL Game December 23, 2014 McCormick, C.C. McCormick 400th Career NHL Game December 31, 2014 J. Gorges 600th Career NHL Game January 29, 2015 B. Gionta 500th Career NHL Point February 20, 2015 M. Moulson 300th Career NHL Point February 22, 2015 Bogosian, Z.Z. Bogosian 400th Career NHL Game February 26, 2015 Dalpe, Z.Z. Dalpe 100th Career NHL Game March 3, 2015 T. Ennis 200th Career NHL Point March 6, 2015 Lindback, A.A. Lindback 100th Career NHL Game March 16, 2015 Ristolainen, R.R. Ristolainen 100th Career NHL Game March 17, 2015 Weber, M.M. Weber 300th Career NHL Game March 20, 2015

Transactions

The Sabres have been involved in the following transactions during the 2014–15 season:

Trades

June 28, 2014	To Washington Capitals 2nd-round pick in 2014	To Buffalo Sabres 2nd-round pick in 2014 3rd-round pick in 2014	[12]
July 1, 2014	To Montreal Canadiens MIN's 2nd-round pick in 2016	To Buffalo Sabres Josh Gorges	[13]
July 9, 2014	To Winnipeg Jets Conditional 7th-round pick in 2015	To Buffalo Sabres Jordan Samuels-Thomas	[14]
December 16, 2014	To Columbus Blue Jackets Luke Adam	To Buffalo Sabres Jerry D'Amigo	[15]
February 11, 2015	To Winnipeg Jets Tyler Myers Drew Stafford Brendan Lemieux Joel Armia 1st-round pick in 2015	To Buffalo Sabres Evander Kane Zach Bogosian Jason Kasdorf	[16]
February 11, 2015	To Dallas Stars Jhonas Enroth	To Buffalo Sabres Anders Lindback conditional 3rd-round pick in 2016	[17]
March 2, 2015	To Montreal Canadiens Brian Flynn	To Buffalo Sabres 5th-round pick in 2016	[18]
March 2, 2015	To New York Islanders Michal Neuvirth	To Buffalo Sabres Chad Johnson 3rd-round pick in 2016	[19]
March 2, 2015	To Montreal Canadiens Torrey Mitchell	To Buffalo Sabres Jack Nevins 7th-round pick in 2016	[20]
March 2, 2015	To Minnesota Wild Chris Stewart	To Buffalo Sabres 2nd-round pick in 2017	[21]

Free agents acquired Date Player Former team Contract terms (in U.S. dollars) Ref July 1, 2014 Andrej Meszaros Boston Bruins 1-year, $4.125 million [22] July 1, 2014 Cody McCormick Minnesota Wild 3-years, $4.5 million [23] July 1, 2014 Brian Gionta Montreal Canadiens 3-years, $12.75 million [24] July 1, 2014 Matt Moulson Minnesota Wild 5-years, $25 million [25] July 1, 2014 Tyson Strachan Washington Capitals 1-year, $650,000 [26] July 13, 2014 Zac Dalpe Vancouver Canucks 1-year, $700,000 [27] July 23, 2014 Andre Benoit Colorado Avalanche 1-year, $800,000 [28] November 28, 2014 Jean Dupuy Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 3-years, entry-level contract [29] April 22, 2015 Evan Rodrigues Boston University 2-years, entry-level contract [30]

Free agents lost Date Player New team Contract terms (in U.S. dollars) Ref July 1, 2014 Alexander Sulzer Cologne Sharks 5 years [31] July 1, 2014 Christian Ehrhoff Pittsburgh Penguins 1 year, $4 million [32] July 1, 2014 Kevin Porter Detroit Red Wings 1 year, $600,000 [33] July 1, 2014 Cory Conacher New York Islanders 1 year, $600,000 [34] July 1, 2014 John Scott San Jose Sharks 1 year, $750,000 [35] July 18, 2014 Matt D'Agostini Geneve-Servette HC undisclosed [36] August 6, 2014 Connor Knapp Lehigh Valley Phantoms undisclosed [37] January 30, 2015 Zenon Konopka Sanok Hockey Club 1 year, undisclosed [38]

Claimed via waivers Player Previous team Date

Lost via waivers Player New team Date

Lost via retirement Player

Players released Date Player Via Ref June 18, 2014 Ville Leino Compliance buyout [39] June 29, 2014 Christian Ehrhoff Compliance buyout [40]

Player signings Date Player Contract terms (in U.S. dollars) Ref July 1, 2014 Marcus Foligno 2 years, $3.75 million [41] July 5, 2014 Matt Hackett 1 year, $750,750, two-way contract [42] July 12, 2014 Sam Reinhart 3 years, $2.775 million, entry-level contract [43] July 12, 2014 Jordan Samuels-Thomas 1 year, $640,000, entry-level contract [44] July 16, 2014 Chad Ruhwedel 2 years, $1.3 million [45] July 17, 2014 Tyler Ennis 5 years, $23 million [46] July 27, 2014 Luke Adam 1 year, $650,000, two-way contract [47] November 2, 2014 Justin Bailey 3 years, entry-level contract [48] November 18, 2014 Arturs Irbe 1 day, emergency contract [49] Coaching changes Name Date Details Bryan Trottier[50] August 4, 2014 Named as Assistant Coach Danny Flynn[50] August 4, 2014 Named as Assistant Coach Tom Coolen[50] August 4, 2014 Named as Assistant Coach Arturs Irbe[50] August 4, 2014 Named as Goaltending Coach

Draft picks

The 2014 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 27–28, 2014 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Buffalo finished with the league's worst record, but on April 15, 2014, the Florida Panthers won the draft lottery to jump ahead of the Sabres and secure the first overall pick.^[51]

Round	#	Player	Pos	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1	2	Sam Reinhart	C	Canada	Kootenay Ice (WHL)
2	31	Brendan Lemieux	LW	Canada	Barrie Colts (OHL)
2	44^[a]	Eric Cornel	C	Canada	Peterborough Petes (OHL)
2	49^[b]	Vaclav Karabacek	RW	Czech Republic	Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
3	61	Jonas Johansson	G	Sweden	Brynas IF (J20 SuperElit)
3	74	Brycen Martin	D	Canada	Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
5	121	Maxwell Willman	C	United States	Williston Northampton Wildcats (NEPSAC)
6	151	Christopher Brown	C	United States	Cranbrook Kingswood
7	181	Victor Olofsson	RW	Sweden	MODO Hockey (SHL)

Draft notes

• ^a Winnipeg's second-round pick will go to Buffalo as the result of a trade on March 5, 2014 that sent Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick to Minnesota, in exchange for Torrey Mitchell, a second-round pick in 2016 and this pick.^[52]
• ^b Minnesota's second-round pick will go to Buffalo as the result of trade on April 3, 2013 that sent Jason Pominville and a fourth-round pick in 2014 to Minnesota, in exchange for Matt Hackett, Johan Larsson, a first-round pick in 2013 and this pick.^[53]
• Buffalo's fourth-round pick will go to the Edmonton Oilers as the result of a trade on March 4, 2014 that sent Ilya Bryzgalov to Minnesota, in exchange for this pick.^[54]
• Buffalo's sixth-round pick will not go to the Edmonton Oilers as the result of a trade on December 19, 2013 that sent Linus Omark to Buffalo in exchange for this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).^[55] Omark did not play enough games for the Sabres, so the pick was never traded.

References

1. "2014–2015 NHL Attendance – National Hockey League – ESPN". ESPN.
2. National Hockey League (2010). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011. Triumph Books. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-60078-422-4.
3. http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=722300
4. http://www.wgrz.com/story/sports/nhl/sabres/2014/07/15/sabres-white-beats-blue-5-1-in-scrimmage/12713649/
5. http://sabrenoise.com/2014/06/23/buffalo-sabres-prospects-participate-traverse-city-tournament/
6. http://espn.go.com/nhl/team/schedule/_/name/buf/buffalo-sabres
7. "Sabres' Neuvirth fined $2,000 for diving/embellishment". NHL. February 25, 2015.
8. This figure encompasses ticket sales. Due to a severe lake-effect snowstorm cutting off all traffic south of Buffalo from the arena, actual seated attendance for the November 18 game was estimated at 6,200.
9. "2014–2015 Regular Season Stats – Points – Buffalo Sabres – Statistics". Buffalo Sabres. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
10. "Ennis, Suter and Lundqvist named stars of the week". NHL. December 15, 2014.
11. "2015 NHL All-Star selections highlighted by three Columbus Blue Jackets". NHL. January 10, 2015.
12. "2014 NHL DRAFT: ROUND 2 – Buffalo Sabres – News". Buffalo Sabres. June 28, 2014.
13. "SABRES ACQUIRE GORGES – Buffalo Sabres – News". Buffalo Sabres. July 1, 2014.
14. "SABRES ACQUIRE SAMUELS-THOMAS – Buffalo Sabres – News". Buffalo Sabres. July 10, 2014.
15. "SABRES ACQUIRE D'AMIGO FROM BLUE JACKETS FOR ADAM – Buffalo Sabres – News". Buffalo Sabres. December 16, 2014.
16. "SABRES ACQUIRE KANE, BOGOSIAN & KASDORF FROM WINNIPEG – Buffalo Sabres – News". Buffalo Sabres. February 11, 2015.
17. "SABRES ACQUIRE LINDBACK, DRAFT PICK FROM DALLAS – Buffalo Sabres – News". Buffalo Sabres. February 11, 2015.
18. "SABRES ACQUIRE DRAFT PICK FROM MONTREAL FOR FLYNN – Buffalo Sabres – News". Buffalo Sabres. March 2, 2015.
19. "Goalie trade! Sabres send Neuvirth to Isles for Johnson". NBC Sports Pro Hockey Talk. March 2, 2015.
20. "SABRES ACQUIRE NEVINS, PICK FROM MONTREAL FOR MITCHELL". Buffalo Sabres. March 2, 2015.
21. "SABRES ACQUIRE SECOND-ROUND PICK FOR STEWART". Buffalo Sabres. March 2, 2015.
22. MESZAROS JOINS THE SABRES
23. McCORMICK RETURNS TO BUFFALO
24. GIONTA SIGNS THREE-YEAR CONTRACT
25. MOULSON SIGNS MULTI-YEAR DEAL
26. SABRES SIGN DEFENSEMAN TYSON STRACHAN
27. Sabres sign forward Dalpe to one-year contract
28. SABRES SIGN BENOIT TO 1-YEAR DEAL
29. SABRES SIGN DUPUY TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT
30. SABRES SIGN FORWARD EVAN RODRIGUES
31. Former Sabre Alexander Sulzer signs 5-year deal in native Germany. Olean Times Herald. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
32. Penguins Sign Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff
33. Wings add forward, Michigan native Porter
34. Conacher Agrees To Terms
35. Sharks Sign Forward John Scott
36. D’Agostini signs one-year deal with Swiss club
37. Wednesday's sports transactions (2014-08-06)
38. Potrecz, Bill (June 3, 2015). A man for all seasons. St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
39. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=722919
40. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=724490
41. FOLIGNO INKED TO NEW DEAL
42. Hoppe, Bill (July 5, 2014). Report: Sabres re-sign goalie Matt Hackett. Olean Times Herald. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
43. SABRES SIGN REINHART
44. SABRES SIGN SAMUELS-THOMAS TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT
45. SABRES SIGN RUHWEDEL TO 2-YEAR CONTRACT
46. SABRES SIGN ENNIS TO MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT
47. SABRES RE-SIGN ADAM
48. Hamilton, Paul. The Sabres ink a local second-round pick. WGR. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
49. Hoppe, Bill (November 19, 2014). Brian Gionta's first goals lead Sabres past Sharks. Olean Times Herald. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
50. SABRES ADD FOUR TO NOLAN'S COACHING STAFF
51. http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/04/15/florida-panthers-win-nhl-draft-lottery-as-buffalo-sabres-drop-to-no-2/
52. "Wild acquire forward Moulson from Sabres". National Hockey League. March 5, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
53. "Jason Pominville traded to Wild by Sabres". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
54. "Wild add veteran goalie Bryzgalov from Oilers". National Hockey League. May 17, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
55. "Sabres get Linus Omark from Oilers for draft pick". National Hockey League. December 19, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2014.