Note: Friday Five is a feature that will be done every Friday and it will be a top 5 list that has something to do with the Sabres. If you have any ideas for topics feel free to send it in and we'll try to do it.
It's been a very quiet off season for the Buffalo Sabres as far as trades or signings are concerned. In order to stir up some memories of player movement I decided the top five trades in franchise history would be fun. As always if you feel I left something off the list feel free to leave it in the comments. In fact just comment on whether you agree with my list or not.
1. August 7, 1992 - The Buffalo Sabres acquired Dominic Hasek from the Chicago Blackhawks for Stephane Beauregard and a fourth round pick in 1993.
This is the all time best trade in franchise history. Stephane Beauregard never even put on the pads for the Sabres. The Sabres had acquired Beauregard on June 15, 1992 for Christian Ruuttu and they used him to acquire the best goalie in franchise history. In his time with the Sabres, Hasek led the team to a Stanley Cup in 1999 in addition to the numerous awards he won. Hasek was named the Hart Trophy (MVP) recipient in the 1997-1998 season and the 1998-1999 season. He also won the Vezina Trophy (Most outstanding goaltender) in 94,95,97,98,99 and 2001. The only thing missing for Hasek in Buffalo was a Stanley Cup Championship, something he was able to accomplish later on with the Detroit Red Wings.
2. March 4, 1972 - The Sabres traded Eddie Shack to Pittsburgh for Rene Robert.
Everyone already knows that Robert went on to play on the famous "French Connection" line with Gilbert Perrreault and Richard Martin. In his seven plus seasons with the Sabres Robert managed two 40 goal seasons, a 100 point season, and two other 80 point seasons. His number 14 will forever hang in the rafters of HSBC Arena (until it's closed down). While Robert was putting up huge numbers and the French Connection were lighting up defenses, Eddie Shack was in the tail end of his career. Shack played only one full season with the Penguins before moving on. In his full season Shack put up decent numbers scoring 25 goals and 25 assists in 74 games.
3. March 10, 2003 - The Buffalo Sabres and Phoenix Coyotes complete a trade sending Chris Gratton and a fourth round pick to Phoenix for Daniel Briere and a third round pick.
As if the exchange of players wasn't enough the Sabres also managed to move up a round in the draft. Chris Gratton played only one season in Phoenix scoring 11 goals and 19 assists while playing 82 games. In comparison Briere scored 92 goals and had 138 assists in 225 regular season games. He also had 10 goals and 20 assists in 29 playoff games with the Sabres. In his four plus seasons in Buffalo Briere averaged over a point per game in both the regular season and the post season.
4. March 18, 1997 - The Sabres acquire Miroslav Satan from the Edmonton Oilers in return for Barrie Moore and Craig Millar.
Another completely one sided trade for the Sabres. Moore and Millar combined to play 40 games with the Edmonton Oilers while Satan played in 369 games with the Sabres. Satan set career highs in every category while playing for Buffalo, he scored 40 goals in the 1998-1999 season and he had 49 assists and 75 points in 2002-2003. In all Satan scored 321 goals in his Buffalo Sabres career.
5. March 10, 2000 - The Sabres trade Michal Grosek to the Chicago Blackhawks for Doug Gilmour and J.P. Dumont.
At first the trade looked to be one sided because of Doug Gilmour but it turned out completely different. Doug Gilmour never panned out as a Sabres but J.P. Dumont turned out to be a pretty special player. Grosek finished out the season with Chicago but then he left the organization. In his brief stint with Chicago he had two goals and four assists in 14 games. Gilmour played a total of 82 games with Buffalo and had 10 goals and 45 assists. J.P. Dumont played six seasons in Buffalo and he had his best season in 2003-2004 when he had 22 goals and 31 assists for 53 points. Dumont scored 23 goals in 2000-2001 and in 2001-2002.
There you have it the top five trades in Buffalo Sabres history as brought to you by Die by the Blade. If you have your own opinion I'd love to hear it.