5 Buffalo Sabres Whose Careers Were Cut Short by Injuries
Few things in sports are as disheartening as seeing a promising career cut short by injuries. In the physically demanding world of hockey, this has happened far too often throughout NHL history. Every team has its share of players whose potential went unrealized due to frequent injuries, and the Buffalo Sabres are no exception.
When reflecting on former Sabres who faced significant injury challenges throughout their careers, these five players particularly stand out.
5. Tyler Ennis
Selected in the first round of the 2008 draft, Tyler Ennis made an immediate impact in his rookie season (2010-11), scoring 29 goals and 49 points, helping the Sabres reach the playoffs. He even netted the overtime winner in what remains the team’s last postseason victory to date. However, his promising start was followed by injuries, starting with ankle issues that caused him to miss nearly half of the next season. Although Ennis managed to stay healthy for the following three years, it coincided with the Sabres’ decline, as they finished last in the NHL in 2014 and 2015.
Ironically, just as the Sabres began to recover, injuries once again plagued Ennis, and he was unable to return to his previous form. He missed significant time during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, leading to a drop in his scoring. The Sabres eventually traded him to the Minnesota Wild in 2017, bringing back Jason Pominville in return. Although Ennis continued to play for several more years, he never fully shook off the injury bug, ultimately retiring in November 2023. In his eight years with Buffalo, Ennis recorded 236 points in 419 games, but it was clear to all that he was capable of much more.
4. Grant Fuhr
The case of Grant Fuhr’s time with the Sabres remains puzzling even three decades later. Acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in February 1993, the trade saw Buffalo give up a significant package, including a first-round pick, future Hall of Famer Dave Andreychuk, and goaltender Daren Puppa. Despite Fuhr’s pedigree, the move was perplexing since the Sabres already had a solid goaltender in Puppa and another acquired the previous summer. The investment didn’t pay off as expected, as Fuhr spent much of his three-year stint with the Sabres sidelined due to injuries.
Fuhr’s severe knee injury in 1993-94 forced the Sabres to turn to Dominik Hasek, who went on to become one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history. As a result, Fuhr was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1995. While his time in Buffalo was brief, it’s intriguing to consider how things might have turned out had he stayed healthy. If he had, Hasek might never have had the chance to shine, potentially altering the course of Sabres history. In this rare case, the Sabres may have benefited from Fuhr’s misfortune.
3. Daniel Briere
While it may seem surprising to see Daniel Briere on this list, his time with the Sabres was not without injury challenges. Despite being one of the toughest pound-for-pound players of his era, Briere’s 2005-06 season was interrupted by a sports hernia that required surgery, causing him to miss 32 games. Nevertheless, he still managed to score 25 goals and 58 points in 48 games, with a projected full-season performance that could have seen him reach triple digits in points.
Briere’s injury may have had long-term consequences as well. When he became a restricted free agent in the summer of 2006, the Sabres took him to arbitration, resulting in a $5 million deal for the following season. Had he been injury-free and put up even better numbers, he might have had more leverage in contract negotiations, potentially influencing the Sabres to offer him a long-term deal. Although Briere still enjoyed a stellar career, Sabres fans can only wonder what might have been if he hadn’t been sidelined for part of that legendary season.
2. Tim Connolly
Tim Connolly’s career with the Sabres is a story of unfulfilled potential. Acquired in 2001 in exchange for Michael Peca, Connolly possessed an exceptional skill set that made him a dynamic and entertaining player. However, injuries haunted him throughout his career. A concussion in the 2003 preseason sidelined him for the entire season, and a hard hit during the 2006 playoffs resulted in a herniated disc that kept him out for nearly a year.
Despite his undeniable talent, Connolly was limited to just 464 of a possible 656 games over eight seasons with the Sabres. His skills set him apart during a time when the NHL was transitioning to a faster, more agile style of play, and he was a key part of Buffalo’s dominant teams following the 2004-05 lockout. However, his injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential. In an alternate reality where Connolly stayed healthy, he could have been one of the best players in Sabres history and might have even had his number retired.
1. Pat LaFontaine
Pat LaFontaine is already considered one of the greatest players in NHL history, but injuries limited what could have been an even more remarkable career. Despite spending just seven years with the Sabres, LaFontaine is remembered as one of the franchise’s all-time greats. His first season with the Sabres in 1991-92 saw him score 46 goals and 97 points in just 57 games, followed by an even more impressive 1992-93 season where he recorded 95 assists and 148 points, setting an NHL single-season record for an American player.
Tyler Ennis
Unfortunately, knee injuries plagued LaFontaine throughout the remainder of his career, and a severe concussion in 1996 ultimately led to his departure from the Sabres. He was traded to the New York Rangers in 1997 but retired just two years later after another concussion. Despite retiring at the age of 34, LaFontaine’s career remains remarkable, with 468 goals and 1,013 points in just 865 games. However, had he not been slowed by injuries, his list of achievements could have been even greater. Sabres fans are left to wonder what might have been, but LaFontaine still provided them with unforgettable memories.
Injuries have derailed many promising careers in NHL history, and the Sabres have certainly been affected by this. What other Sabres players had their careers curtailed by injuries? Who else would you add to this list?
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