gold star for USAHOF

2. Gilbert Perreault

2. Gilbert Perreault

The man who was almost number one on this list was the first ever player drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, who took him number one overall in 1970.

Perreault was one of the best stick handlers in history, and it helped him evolve into one of the best playmakers in Hockey.  The French-Canadian Center won the Calder, and two years later, he added the Lady Byng to this trophy case.  

From 1972 to 1979, Perreault was the Center of the famed “French Connection” line, which also had Rick Martin and Rene Robert.  The trio would lead Buffalo to their first Stanley Cup appearance in 1975, and in the next two years, Perreault was named a Second Team All-Star and was seventh in Hart Trophy voting both seasons.

Perreault played his entire career with the Sabres, enjoying six All-Star Games and five 90-Point plus campaigns.

Perreault is the all-time franchise leader in Goals (512), Assists (814), and Points (1,326), and he was enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990.  The Sabres retired his number the same year.  He was also inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame in 1989.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Center
  • Acquired: Selected in the 1st Round, 1st Overall in the NHL Draft 6/11/70.
  • Departed: Retired 11/24/86.
  • Games Played: 1,191
  • Notable Statistics:

    512 Goals
    814 Assists 
    1,326 Points 
    500 PIM 
    1.11 PPG 
    +41 Plus/Minus 
    113.3 Point Shares 

    90 Playoff Games
    33 Goals
    70 Assists 
    103 Points 
    44 PIM 
    1.14 PPG 
    -21 Plus/Minus 

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Lady Byng Trophy (1973)
    Calder Trophy (1971)
    Second Team All-Star (1976 & 1977)
    All-Star (1971, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1980 & 1984)
    Most Game-Winning Goals (1976-77)

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