2015–16 Buffalo Sabres season

2015–16 Buffalo Sabres
Division	7th Atlantic
Conference	14th Eastern
2015–16 record	35–36–11
Home record	16–19–6
Road record	19–17–5
Goals for	201
Goals against	222
Team information
General Manager	Tim Murray
Coach	Dan Bylsma
Captain	Brian Gionta
Alternate captains	Tyler Ennis Josh Gorges Ryan O'Reilly
Arena	First Niagara Center
Minor league affiliations	Rochester Americans (AHL)
Team leaders
Goals	Jack Eichel (24)
Assists	Ryan O'Reilly (39)
Points	Ryan O'Reilly (60)
Penalties in minutes	Evander Kane (91)
Plus/minus	(+): Jake McCabe (+6) (–): Rasmus Ristolainen (–21)
Wins	Chad Johnson (22)
Goals against average	Chad Johnson (2.36)
<2014–15

The 2015–16 Buffalo Sabres season was the 46th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.^[1] The season began its regular games on October 8, 2015 against the Ottawa Senators with a 3–1 loss.^[2]

This was originally to be the final season in which Rick Jeanneret serves as the team's play-by-play announcer; he has been in that position since the team's second season in 1971. As in recent years, he will rotate with Dan Dunleavy in the position.^[3] However, Jeanneret agreed to continue indefinitely as part-time announcer as long as his health allows it.^[4]

Off-season

The Sabres fired head coach Ted Nolan on April 12, 2015, amid poor on-ice record and disagreements with general manager Tim Murray. The team then made overtures to Mike Babcock, the most prominent head coach on the free agent market; despite a record-setting offer, Babcock instead sought (and received) the head coaching position for the Sabres' division and regional rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs. With the Sabres failing to land Babcock, the team's second choice, Dan Bylsma, was subsequently hired on May 28. Bylsma had spent the 2014-15 season out of professional hockey after spending the previous five seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Sabres held the second overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft after finishing last in the league in 2014-15 and losing the draft lottery to the Edmonton Oilers. The Sabres selected Jack Eichel with their pick.

The Sabres fired President Ted Black on July 27, 2015, and replaced him with Russ Brandon. Brandon also serves as President of the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League and will continue in that capacity in addition to his duties with the Sabres.

Training camp

As in previous years, the Sabres held a summer development camp from July 6–11, 2015. The highlight of the camp was the "blue and gold" scrimmage on July 10; the scrimmage, which pit a "gold" team led by 2015 second overall pick Jack Eichel against a "blue" team led by 2014 second overall pick Sam Reinhart, drew 17,115 paying fans, nearly double the crowd that attended the 2014 event.^[5] An additional 1,500 fans attended the less-publicized 3-on-3 scrimmage, which closed out the camp on July 11.^[6]

The Sabres did not participate in the Detroit Red Wings' annual prospect tournament in Traverse City, Michigan as they have in recent years and instead launched their own "Prospect Challenge" beginning this season. For the first year, the Sabres, New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins prospects faced each other in a single round-robin mini-tournament.^[7] Buffalo won both of their games and the tournament.^[8]

Standings

Divisional standings

Atlantic Division

Pos	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	ROW	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	y – Florida Panthers	82	47	26	9	40	239	203	+36	103
2	x – Tampa Bay Lightning	82	46	31	5	43	227	201	+26	97
3	x – Detroit Red Wings	82	41	30	11	39	211	224	−13	93
4	Boston Bruins	82	42	31	9	38	240	230	+10	93
5	Ottawa Senators	82	38	35	9	32	236	247	−11	85
6	Montreal Canadiens	82	38	38	6	33	221	236	−15	82
7	Buffalo Sabres	82	35	36	11	33	201	222	−21	81
8	Toronto Maple Leafs	82	29	42	11	23	198	246	−48	69

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

Conference standings

Top 3 (Metropolitan Division)

Pos	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	ROW	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	p – Washington Capitals	82	56	18	8	52	252	193	+59	120
2	x – Pittsburgh Penguins	82	48	26	8	44	245	203	+42	104
3	x – New York Rangers	82	46	27	9	43	236	217	+19	101

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

Top 3 (Atlantic Division)

Pos	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	ROW	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	y – Florida Panthers	82	47	26	9	40	239	203	+36	103
2	x – Tampa Bay Lightning	82	46	31	5	43	227	201	+26	97
3	x – Detroit Red Wings	82	41	30	11	39	211	224	−13	93

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

Eastern Conference Wild Card

Pos	Div	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	ROW	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	ME	x – New York Islanders	82	45	27	10	40	232	216	+16	100
2	ME	x – Philadelphia Flyers	82	41	27	14	38	214	218	−4	96
3	AT	Boston Bruins	82	42	31	9	38	240	230	+10	93
4	ME	Carolina Hurricanes	82	35	31	16	33	198	226	−28	86
5	AT	Ottawa Senators	82	38	35	9	32	236	247	−11	85
6	ME	New Jersey Devils	82	38	36	8	36	184	208	−24	84
7	AT	Montreal Canadiens	82	38	38	6	33	221	236	−15	82
8	AT	Buffalo Sabres	82	35	36	11	33	201	222	−21	81
9	ME	Columbus Blue Jackets	82	34	40	8	28	219	252	−33	76
10	AT	Toronto Maple Leafs	82	29	42	11	23	198	246	−48	69

Source: National Hockey League
x – Clinched playoff spot.

Schedule and results

Pre-season

2015 Pre-Season Game Log: 4–3–0 (Home: 1–2–0 ; Road: 3–1–0)[9]
#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Recap
1	September 21	Buffalo	3–2	Minnesota		Lieuwen	17,217	1–0–0	Recap
2	September 23	Ottawa	5–2	Buffalo		Lehner	17,298	1–1–0	Recap
3	September 25	Buffalo	6–4	Toronto		Lieuwen	17,403	2–1–0	Recap
4	September 26	Buffalo	6–4	Ottawa		Johnson	16,738	3–1–0	Recap
5	September 29	Toronto	0–4	Buffalo		Lehner	17,357	4–1–0	Recap
6	October 1	Buffalo	1–6	Minnesota		Johnson	17,214	4–2–0	Recap
7	October 2	Columbus	4–6	Buffalo		Lehner	17,578	4–3–0	Recap

Regular season

2015–16 Game Log[10]
October: 4–7–0 (Home: 3–4–0 ; Road: 1–3–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 1 October 8 Ottawa 3–1 Buffalo Johnson 19,070 0–1–0 0 Recap 2 October 10 Tampa Bay 4–1 Buffalo Johnson 17,739 0–2–0 0 Recap 3 October 12 Columbus 2–4 Buffalo Johnson 18,075 1–2–0 2 Recap 4 October 15 Buffalo 2–3 Florida Johnson 11,616 1–3–0 2 Recap 5 October 17 Buffalo 1–2 Tampa Bay Johnson 19,092 1–4–0 2 Recap 6 October 21 Toronto 1–2 Buffalo SO Johnson 17,762 2–4–0 4 Recap 7 October 23 Montreal 7–2 Buffalo Johnson 18,214 2–5–0 4 Recap 8 October 24 New Jersey 4–3 Buffalo Ullmark 18,040 2–6–0 4 Recap 9 October 27 Buffalo 4–3 Philadelphia OT Johnson 19,432 3–6–0 6 Recap 10 October 29 Buffalo 3–4 Pittsburgh Johnson 18,415 3–7–0 6 Recap 11 October 30 Philadelphia 1–3 Buffalo Ullmark 15,962 4–7–0 8 Reacp
November: 6–5–2 (Home: 2–4–1 ; Road: 4–1–1) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 12 November 1 Buffalo 2–1 NY Islanders Ullmark 11,278 5–7–0 10 Recap 13 November 5 Tampa Bay 4–1 Buffalo Ullmark 18,161 5–8–0 10 Recap 14 November 7 Vancouver 2–3 Buffalo Ullmark 19,070 6–8–0 12 Recap 15 November 10 Buffalo 4–1 Tampa Bay Johnson 19,092 7–8–0 14 Recap 16 November 12 Buffalo 3–2 Florida Ullmark 11,271 8–8–0 16 Recap 17 November 14 San Jose 2–1 Buffalo OT Johnson 18,611 8–8–1 17 Recap 18 November 17 Dallas 3–1 Buffalo Ullmark 18,101 8–9–1 17 Recap 19 November 19 Buffalo 2–3 St. Louis SO Ullmark 17,359 8–9–2 18 Recap 20 November 21 Buffalo 0–3 Dallas Johnson 18,532 8–10–2 18 Recap 21 November 23 St. Louis 2–1 Buffalo Ullmark 17,563 8–11–2 18 Recap 22 November 25 Nashville 3–2 Buffalo Ullmark 17,871 8–12–2 18 Recap 23 November 27 Carolina 1–4 Buffalo Johnson 18,052 9–12–2 20 Recap 24 November 28 Buffalo 4–1 Nashville Johnson 17,217 10–12–2 22 Recap
December: 5–7–2 (Home: 3–3–1 ; Road: 2–4–1) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 25 December 1 Buffalo 4–5 Detroit SO Ullmark 20,027 10–12–3 23 Recap 26 December 4 Arizona 2–5 Buffalo Johnson 18,204 11–12–3 25 Recap 27 December 6 Buffalo 2–4 Edmonton Johnson 16,839 11–13–3 25 Recap 28 December 7 Buffalo 2–5 Vancouver Ullmark 18,278 11–14–3 25 Recap 29 December 10 Buffalo 3–4 Calgary Johnson 18,565 11–15–3 25 Recap 30 December 12 Los Angeles 1–2 Buffalo OT Ullmark 18,133 12–15–3 27 Recap 31 December 14 Buffalo 2–1 Detroit Johnson 20,027 13–15–3 29 Recap 32 December 15 New Jersey 2–0 Buffalo Ullmark 18,297 13–16–3 29 Recap 33 December 17 Anaheim 0–3 Buffalo Johnson 18,801 14–16–3 31 Recap 34 December 19 Chicago 3–2 Buffalo SO Johnson 18,870 14–16–4 32 Recap 35 December 26 Buffalo 6–3 Boston Johnson 17,565 15–16–4 34 Recap 36 December 28 Washington 2–0 Buffalo Ullmark 19,070 15–17–4 34 Recap 37 December 30 Buffalo 2–5 Washington Johnson 18,506 15–18–4 34 Recap 38 December 31 NY Islanders 2–1 Buffalo Ullmark 19,070 15–19–4 34 Recap
January: 5–7–0 (Home: 1–4–0 ; Road: 4–3–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 39 January 2 Detroit 4–3 Buffalo Johnson 19,070 15–20–4 34 Recap 40 January 5 Florida 5–1 Buffalo Ullmark 18,560 15–21–4 34 Recap 41 January 8 Buffalo 1–3 Chicago Johnson 22,142 15–22–4 34 Recap 42 January 10 Buffalo 4–2 Winnipeg Ullmark 15,294 16–22–4 36 Recap 43 January 12 Buffalo 3–2 Minnesota Ullmark 19,034 17–22–4 38 Recap 44 January 15 Boston 4–1 Buffalo Lehner 18,704 17–23–4 38 Recap 45 January 16 Washington 1–4 Buffalo Johnson 19,070 18–23–4 40 Recap 46 January 18 Buffalo 2–1 Arizona Johnson 11,134 19–23–4 42 Recap 47 January 20 Buffalo 1–2 Colorado Lehner 13,274 19–24–4 42 Recap 48 January 22 Detroit 3–0 Buffalo Lehner 18,601 19–25–4 42 Recap 49 January 25 Buffalo 3–6 NY Rangers Johnson 18,006 19–26–4 42 Recap 50 January 26 Buffalo 3–2 Ottawa Lehner 16,815 20–26–4 44 Recap
February: 5–5–3 (Home: 2–2–1 ; Road: 3–3–2) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 51 February 3 Buffalo 4–2 Montreal Lehner 21,288 21–26–4 46 Recap 52 February 4 Boston 3–2 Buffalo SO Johnson 18,845 21–26–5 47 Recap 53 February 6 Buffalo 1–2 Boston OT Lehner 17,565 21–26–6 48 Recap 54 February 9 Florida 7–4 Buffalo Johnson 18,837 21–27–6 48 Recap 55 February 11 Buffalo 1–5 Philadelphia Lehner 19,019 21–28–6 48 Recap 56 February 12 Montreal 4–6 Buffalo Johnson 18,505 22–28–6 50 Recap 57 February 14 Colorado 1–4 Buffalo Lehner 19,070 23–28–6 52 Recap 58 February 16 Buffalo 1–2 Ottawa SO Lehner 15,893 23–28–7 53 Recap 59 February 19 Buffalo 4–0 Columbus Lehner 14,923 24–28–7 55 Recap 60 February 21 Pittsburgh 4–3 Buffalo Lehner 19,070 24–29–7 55 Recap 61 February 24 Buffalo 0–1 Anaheim Lehner 16,543 24–30–7 55 Recap 62 February 26 Buffalo 3–1 San Jose Johnson 17,562 25–30–7 57 Recap 63 February 27 Buffalo 0–2 Los Angeles Lehner 18,230 25–31–7 57 Recap
March: 7–4–4 (Home: 5–1–3 ; Road: 2–3–1) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 64 March 1 Edmonton 2–1 Buffalo OT Lehner 19,070 25–31–8 58 Recap 65 March 3 Calgary 3–6 Buffalo Lehner 18,651 26–31–8 60 Recap 66 March 5 Minnesota 3–2 Buffalo SO Lehner 19,070 26–31–9 61 Recap 67 March 7 Buffalo 4–3 Toronto SO Johnson 18,950 27–31–9 63 Recap 68 March 8 NY Rangers 4–2 Buffalo Johnson 18,651 27–32–9 63 Recap 69 March 10 Buffalo 2–3 Montreal Lehner 21,288 27–33–9 63 Recap 70 March 12 Carolina 2–3 Buffalo OT Johnson 19,070 28–33–9 65 Recap 71 March 16 Montreal 3–2 Buffalo OT Lehner 18,815 28–33–10 66 Recap 72 March 18 Ottawa 1–3 Buffalo Johnson 19,070 29–33–10 68 Recap 73 March 19 Buffalo 1–4 Toronto Johnson 18,829 29–34–10 68 Recap 74 March 22 Buffalo 3–2 Carolina Johnson 10,372 30–34–10 70 Recap 75 March 26 Winnipeg 2–3 Buffalo Johnson 19,070 31–34–10 72 Recap 76 March 28 Buffalo 2–3 Detroit Johnson 20,027 31–35–10 72 Recap 77 March 29 Buffalo 4–5 Pittsburgh SO Johnson 18,513 31–35–11 73 Recap 78 March 31 Toronto 1–4 Buffalo Johnson 18,873 32–35–11 75 Recap
April: 3–1–0 (Home: 0–1–0 ; Road: 3–0–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 79 April 2 Buffalo 4–3 NY Rangers Johnson 18,006 33–35–11 77 Recap 80 April 5 Buffalo 3–1 New Jersey Johnson 14,773 34–35–11 79 Recap 81 April 8 Columbus 4–1 Buffalo Kasdorf 19,070 34–36–11 79 Recap 82 April 9 Buffalo 4–3 NY Islanders OT Ullmark 14,811 35–36–11 81 Recap
Legend:       Win (2 points)       Loss (0 points)       Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

Player stats

Final stats

Skaters

Regular Season[11] Player GP G A Pts +/− PIM O'Reilly, RyanRyan O'Reilly 71 21 39 60 −16 8 Eichel, JackJack Eichel 81 24 32 56 −16 22 Reinhart, SamSam Reinhart 79 23 19 42 −8 8 Ristolainen, RasmusRasmus Ristolainen 82 9 32 41 −21 33 Kane, EvanderEvander Kane 65 20 15 35 −14 91 Gionta, BrianBrian Gionta 79 12 21 33 −5 12 McGinn, JamieJamie McGinn^‡ 63 14 13 27 −10 10 Bogosian, ZachZach Bogosian 64 7 17 24 −11 68 Foligno, MarcusMarcus Foligno 75 10 13 23 4 79 Moulson, MattMatt Moulson 81 8 13 21 −5 16 Girgensons, ZemgusZemgus Girgensons 71 7 11 18 0 20 Franson, CodyCody Franson 59 4 13 17 −5 26 Larsson, JohanJohan Larsson 74 10 7 17 −4 27 Legwand, DavidDavid Legwand 79 5 9 14 −4 14 McCabe, JakeJake McCabe 77 4 10 14 6 51 Deslauriers, NicolasNicolas Deslauriers 70 6 6 12 −14 59 Gorges, JoshJosh Gorges 77 2 10 12 −7 72 Pysyk, MarkMark Pysyk 55 1 10 11 −1 32 Ennis, TylerTyler Ennis 23 3 8 11 −9 11 O'Reilly, CalCal O'Reilly 20 3 4 7 −1 2 Colaiacovo, CarloCarlo Colaiacovo 36 1 4 5 −11 10 Weber, MikeMike Weber^‡ 35 1 4 5 3 32 Nelson, CaseyCasey Nelson 7 0 4 4 1 8 Schaller, TimTim Schaller 17 1 2 3 3 2 Fasching, HudsonHudson Fasching 7 1 1 2 2 4 Rodrigues, EvanEvan Rodrigues 2 1 1 2 2 2 Varone, PhilipPhilip Varone^‡ 5 1 1 2 1 2 Catenacci, DanielDaniel Catenacci 11 0 0 0 −2 0 Schneider, ColeCole Schneider 2 0 0 0 0 0 Ruhwedel, ChadChad Ruhwedel 1 0 0 0 0 2 Bailey, JustinJustin Bailey 8 0 0 0 −2 2

Goaltenders

Regular Season^[12]

Player	GP	GS	TOI	W	L	OT	GA	GAA	SA	SV%	SO	G	A	PIM
Johnson, ChadChad Johnson	45	40	2591:05	22	16	4	102	2.36	1270	.920	1	0	2	0
Lehner, RobinRobin Lehner	21	21	1164:05	5	9	5	48	2.47	634	.924	1	0	1	8
Ullmark, LinusLinus Ullmark	20	20	1130:40	8	10	2	49	2.60	565	.913	0	0	0	0
Kasdorf, JasonJason Kasdorf	1	1	60:00	0	1	0	4	4.00	30	.867	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

Updated April 15, 2016.^[13]

#	Nat	Player	Pos	S/G	Age	Acquired	Birthplace
47		Bogosian, ZachZach Bogosian	D	R	25	2015	Massena, New York
25		Colaiacovo, CarloCarlo Colaiacovo	D	L	33	2015	Toronto, Ontario
44		Deslauriers, NicolasNicolas Deslauriers	LW	L	25	2014	LaSalle, Quebec
15		Eichel, JackJack Eichel	C	R	19	2015	North Chelmsford, Massachusetts
63		Ennis, TylerTyler Ennis	C/LW	L	26	2008	Edmonton, Alberta
52		Fasching, HudsonHudson Fasching	RW	R	20	2014	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
82		Foligno, MarcusMarcus Foligno	LW	L	24	2009	Buffalo, New York
46		Franson, CodyCody Franson	D	R	28	2015	Sicamous, British Columbia
12		Gionta, BrianBrian Gionta (C)	RW	R	37	2014	Rochester, New York
28		Girgensons, ZemgusZemgus Girgensons	C	L	22	2012	Riga, Latvia
4		Gorges, JoshJosh Gorges (A)	D	L	31	2014	Kelowna, British Columbia
31		Johnson, ChadChad Johnson	G	L	29	2015	Calgary, Alberta
9		Kane, EvanderEvander Kane	LW	L	24	2015	Vancouver, British Columbia
33		Kasdorf, JasonJason Kasdorf	G	R	23	2015	Winnipeg, Manitoba
22		Larsson, JohanJohan Larsson	LW	L	23	2013	Lau, Sweden
17		Legwand, DavidDavid Legwand	C	L	35	2015	Detroit, Michigan
40		Lehner, RobinRobin Lehner	G	L	24	2015	Gothenburg, Sweden
29		McCabe, JakeJake McCabe	D	L	22	2014	Eau Claire, Wisconsin
26		Moulson, MattMatt Moulson	LW	L	32	2014	North York, Ontario
34		Nelson, CaseyCasey Nelson	D	R	23	2016	Stillwater, Minnesota
90		O'Reilly, RyanRyan O'Reilly (A)	C	L	25	2015	Clinton, Ontario
3		Pysyk, MarkMark Pysyk	D	R	24	2010	Sherwood Park, Alberta
23		Reinhart, SamSam Reinhart	C	R	20	2014	North Vancouver, British Columbia
55		Ristolainen, RasmusRasmus Ristolainen	D	R	21	2013	Turku, Finland

Awards and honours

Awards

Regular Season Player Award Awarded O'Reilly, R.R. O'Reilly NHL All-Star game selection[14] January 6, 2016 Eichel, J.J. Eichel NHL Third Star of the Week[15] February 1, 2016

Milestones

Regular Season Player Milestone Reached Eichel, J.J. Eichel 1st Career NHL Game 1st Career NHL Goal October 8, 2015 McCabe, J.J. McCabe 1st Career NHL Goal October 15, 2015 Reinhart, S.S. Reinhart 1st Career NHL Goal October 17, 2015 Ullmark, L.L. Ullmark 1st Career NHL Game October 24, 2015 Foligno, M.M. Foligno 200th Career NHL Game October 27, 2015 L. Ullmark 1st Career NHL Win October 30, 2015 J. Eichel 1st Career NHL Assist November 7, 2015 Moulson, M.M. Moulson 500th Career NHL Game December 4, 2015 Ristolainen, R.R. Ristolainen 1st Career NHL Hat Trick December 10, 2015 O'Reilly, R.R. O'Reilly 100th Career NHL Goal December 12, 2015 McGinn, J.J. McGinn 400th Career NHL Game December 19, 2015 Larsson, J.J. Larsson 100th Career NHL Game December 26, 2015 S. Reinhart 1st Career NHL Hat Trick January 10, 2016 Catenacci, D.D. Catenacci 1st Career NHL Game February 6, 2016 Bailey, J.J. Bailey 1st Career NHL Game February 11, 2016 Fasching, H.H. Fasching 1st Career NHL Game 1st Career NHL Goal March 26, 2016 Nelson, C.C. Nelson 1st Career NHL Game 1st Career NHL Assist March 26, 2016 Schneider, C.C. Schneider 1st Career NHL Game April 8, 2016 Rodrigues, E.E. Rodrigues 1st Career NHL Game April 8, 2016 Kasdorf, J.J. Kasdorf 1st Career NHL Game April 8, 2016 E. Rodrigues 1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Assist April 9, 2016 H. Fasching 1st Career NHL Assist April 9, 2016 Gorges, J.J. Gorges 100th Career NHL Assist April 9, 2016

Transactions

The Sabres have been involved in the following transactions during the 2015–16 season:

Trades

Date	Details		Ref
June 26, 2015	To Ottawa Senators NYI's 1st-round pick in 2015	To Buffalo Sabres Robin Lehner David Legwand	[16]
June 26, 2015	To Colorado Avalanche Nikita Zadorov Mikhail Grigorenko J. T. Compher 2nd-round pick in 2015	To Buffalo Sabres Ryan O’Reilly Jamie McGinn	[17]
February 23, 2016	To Washington Capitals Mike Weber^[Note 1]	To Buffalo Sabres 3rd-round pick in 2017	[18]
February 27, 2016	To Ottawa Senators Philip Varone Jason Akeson Jerome Leduc	To Buffalo Sabres Cole Schneider Eric O'Dell Alex Guptill Michael Sdao	[19]
February 29, 2016	To Anaheim Ducks Jamie McGinn	To Buffalo Sabres conditional 3rd-round pick in 2016^[Note 2]	[20]

Notes ^Note 1 Buffalo to retain 50% ($1.67 million) of salary as part of trade. ^Note 2 Conditional 3rd-round pick will become 2nd-round pick in 2017 NHL Entry Draft if Ducks advance to 2016 Western Conference Finals and McGinn plays in 50% of playoff games in first two rounds. Free agents acquired Date Player Former team Contract terms (in U.S. dollars) Ref July 1, 2015 Jason Akeson Philadelphia Flyers 1 year (2-way), $575,000 [21] July 1, 2015 Matt Donovan New York Islanders 1 year (2-way), $825,000 [21] July 2, 2015 Bobby Sanguinetti Vancouver Canucks 1 year (2-way), $600,000 [22] July 3, 2015 Cal O'Reilly Utica Comets 2 years, $1,400,000 [23] July 3, 2015 Carlo Colaiacovo Philadelphia Flyers 1 year, $900,000 [24] September 10, 2015 Cody Franson Nashville Predators 2 years, $6.65 million [25] March 22, 2016 Casey Nelson Minnesota State University entry-level contract [26]

Free agents lost Date Player New team Contract terms (in U.S. dollars) Ref July 1, 2015 Anders Lindback Arizona Coyotes 1 years, $875,000 [27] July 1, 2015 Matt Hackett Anaheim Ducks 2 years, $1.2 million [28] July 1, 2015 Zac Dalpe Minnesota Wild 1 year, $600,000 [29] July 1, 2015 Cody Hodgson Nashville Predators 1 year, $1.05 million [30] July 2, 2015 Tyson Strachan Minnesota Wild 1 year, $650,000 [31] July 6, 2015 Andre Benoit St. Louis Blues 1 year, $750,000 [32]

Claimed via waivers Player Previous team Date claimed off waivers Ref

Lost via waivers Player New team Date claimed off waivers Ref

Lost via retirement Player Ref Cody McCormick [33]

Players released Date Player Via Ref July 1, 2015 Cody Hodgson Buyout [34]

Player signings Date Player Contract terms (in U.S. dollars) Ref July 1, 2015 Jack Eichel 3 years, entry-level contract [35] July 3, 2015 Ryan O’Reilly 7 years, $52.5 million contract extension [36] July 13, 2015 Philip Varone 1 year, $600,000, two-way contract [37] July 14, 2015 Mark Pysyk 2 years, $2.25 million [38] July 21, 2015 Johan Larsson 1 year, $800,000 [39] July 23, 2015 Jerry D'Amigo 1 year, $700,000, two-way contract [40] July 27, 2015 Brendan Guhle 3 years, entry-level contract [41] September 12, 2015 Patrick Kaleta professional tryout plus one-year contract with Rochester Americans [42] March 14, 2016 Jason Kasdorf entry-level contract [43] March 21, 2016 Hudson Fasching entry-level contract [44] March 25, 2016 Eric Cornel entry-level contract [45] April 29, 2016 Johan Larsson 1 year [46] Draft picks Below are the Buffalo Sabres' selections at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 26–27, 2015 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club Team (League) 1 2 Jack Eichel C  United States Boston University (Hockey East) 2 51^[b] Brendan Guhle D  Canada Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) 4 92 William Borgen D  United States Moorhead Spuds (HS-Minnesota) 5 122 Devante Stephens D  Canada Kelowna Rockets (WHL) 6 152 Georgio Estephan C  Canada Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) 7 182 Ivan Chukarov D  United States Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL) Draft notes[47] ^b The New York Islanders' second-round pick will go to the Buffalo Sabres as the result of a trade on October 27, 2013 that sent Thomas Vanek to New York in exchange for Matt Moulson, a conditional first-round pick in 2014 and this pick.[48] The Buffalo Sabres' third-round pick will go to the Washington Capitals as the result of a trade on March 5, 2014 that sent Michal Neuvirth and Rostislav Klesla to Buffalo in exchange for Jaroslav Halak and this pick.[49] References National Hockey League (2010). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011. Triumph Books. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-60078-422-4. Yerdon, Joe (October 9, 2015). "Eichel scores first goal, but Sabres lose to Senators". NHL. Retrieved October 10, 2015. http://www.buffalonews.com/columns/alan-pergament/rick-jeanneret-on-cancer-criticism-and-why-you-never-heard-him-talk-about-tanking-20150424 http://talkintv.buffalonews.com/2015/09/25/jeanneret-to-return-for-2016-17-season-as-sabres-change-retirement-plans/ What you need to know for the Sabres scrimmage. WGR. Retrieved July 9, 2015. Hoppe, Bill (July 12, 2015). Josh Chapman unlikely standout at Sabres development camp. Olean Times Herald. Retrieved July 12, 2015. http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=776703 http://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/sabres-rookie-jack-eichel-wows-with-overtime-winner-against-bruins/ "SABRES ANNOUNCE 2015 PRESEASON SCHEDULE". Sabres.nhl.com. June 16, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015. 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