Buffalo Sabres Draft Steal #10

It is now less than two weeks before the NHL draft and we near closer to the biggest draft steal in Buffalo Sabres history.  Today we will talk about a player that holds a big place in my heart because he, along with Danny Gare, were my favorite players when I was growing up.

Don Edwards- 1975 (5th round, #89 overall)

The 1975 draft was a goalie rich draft for the Buffalo Sabres, they drafted Bob Sauve in the first round and then they drafted Edwards in the fifth round.  Edwards was a quick study after being drafted by the Sabres, he spent all of the 1975-1976 season playing for the Hershey Bears in the AHL.  He split time between Buffalo and Hershey the following season and in 1977-1978 he starred for the Buffalo Sabres.

In 1977-78 he led all NHL goalies in games played (72) and wins (38) and was named a second team all-star.  He powered the Sabres to a 44-19-17 record and a second place finish in the Adams Division.  The Sabres beat the New York Rangers in the preliminary round before losing four games to one against the Philadelphia Flyers in the Quarter-Finals.

During his career Edwards played in two all-star games, in 1980 and 1982 and he was named a second team all-star in 77-78 and in 79-80.  He also won the Vezina Trophy in 1979-1980 along with fellow net-minder Bob Sauve.  Ironically enough, tomorrow will be the 26th anniversary of him being traded by the Buffalo Sabres.  On June 9, 1982 the Buffalo Sabres traded him along with Richie Dunn to the Calgary Flames in return for some draft picks. 

Edwards will always be remembered as a Buffalo Sabre although he played three season with the Calgary Flames and he finished his career by playing one season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  His NHL career came to end at the end of the 1985-1986 season and it lasted 10 seasons and 459 games before he finally retired.