2002–03 Buffalo Sabres season

2002–03 Buffalo Sabres
Division5th Northeast
Conference12th Eastern
2002–03 record27–37–10–8
Home record18–18–5–2
Road record9–27–5–6
Goals for190
Goals against219
Team information
General managerDarcy Regier
CoachLindy Ruff
CaptainStu Barnes (Oct.–Mar.)
Vacant (Mar.–Apr.)
Alternate captainsRob Ray (Oct.–Mar.)
Rhett Warrener
ArenaHSBC Arena
Average attendance13,776
Minor league affiliate(s)Rochester Americans
Team leaders
GoalsMiroslav Satan (26)
AssistsMiroslav Satan (49)
PointsMiroslav Satan (75)
Penalty minutesEric Boulton (178)
Plus/minusJochen Hecht and Curtis Brown (+4)
WinsMartin Biron (17)
Goals against averageMika Noronen (2.42)

The 2002–03 Buffalo Sabres season was the 33rd season of operation for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.[1] The Sabres failed to qualify for the playoffs for a second consecutive season. The 72 points accumulated in the regular season was the lowest total for the franchise since the 1986–87 season.

Off-season

Regular season

Final standings

Northeast Division
No. CR GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
1 1 Ottawa Senators 82 52 21 8 1 263 182 113
2 5 Toronto Maple Leafs 82 44 28 7 3 236 208 98
3 7 Boston Bruins 82 36 31 11 4 245 237 87
4 10 Montreal Canadiens 82 30 35 8 9 206 234 77
5 12 82 27 37 10 8 190 219 72

[2]

Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

Eastern Conference[3]
R Div GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts
1 P- Ottawa Senators NE 82 52 21 8 1 263 182 113
2 Y- New Jersey Devils AT 82 46 20 10 6 216 166 108
3 Y- Tampa Bay Lightning SE 82 36 25 16 5 219 210 93
4 X- Philadelphia Flyers AT 82 45 20 13 4 211 166 107
5 X- Toronto Maple Leafs NE 82 44 28 7 3 236 208 98
6 X- Washington Capitals SE 82 39 29 8 6 224 220 92
7 X- Boston Bruins NE 82 36 31 11 4 245 237 87
8 X- New York Islanders AT 82 35 34 11 2 224 231 83
8.5
9 New York Rangers AT 82 32 36 10 4 210 231 78
10 Montreal Canadiens NE 82 30 35 8 9 206 234 77
11 Atlanta Thrashers SE 82 31 39 7 5 226 284 74
12 NE 82 27 37 10 8 190 219 72
13 Florida Panthers SE 82 24 36 13 9 176 237 70
14 Pittsburgh Penguins AT 82 27 44 6 5 189 255 65
15 Carolina Hurricanes SE 82 22 43 11 6 171 240 61

Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast

P – Clinched Presidents Trophy; Y – Clinched division; X – Clinched playoff spot


Schedule and results

2002–03 regular season[4]
October: 3–5–2–0 (home: 2–2–1–0; road: 1–3–1–0)
Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 October 10, 2002 5–1 New York Islanders (2002–03) 1–0–0–0 W
2 October 12, 2002 6–1 @ Montreal Canadiens (2002–03) 2–0–0–0 W
3 October 13, 2002 0–3 @ Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03) 2–1–0–0 L
4 October 17, 2002 4–4 OT New York Rangers (2002–03) 2–1–1–0 T
5 October 19, 2002 2–3 Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03) 2–2–1–0 L
6 October 22, 2002 2–1 Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) 3–2–1–0 W
7 October 25, 2002 1–2 New Jersey Devils (2002–03) 3–3–1–0 L
8 October 26, 2002 2–5 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) 3–4–1–0 L
9 October 29, 2002 1–1 OT @ Vancouver Canucks (2002–03) 3–4–2–0 T
10 October 31, 2002 0–3 @ Calgary Flames (2002–03) 3–5–2–0 L
November: 1–9–2–1 (home: 1–4–1–0; road: 0–5–1–1)
Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap
11 November 1, 2002 1–1 OT @ Edmonton Oilers (2002–03) 3–5–3–0 T
12 November 3, 2002 2–3 @ Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03) 3–6–3–0 L
13 November 7, 2002 0–2 @ Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) 3–7–3–0 L
14 November 9, 2002 4–6 Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) 3–8–3–0 L
15 November 12, 2002 3–4 Boston Bruins (2002–03) 3–9–3–0 L
16 November 15, 2002 2–3 Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) 3–10–3–0 L
17 November 16, 2002 1–4 @ Ottawa Senators (2002–03) 3–11–3–0 L
18 November 19, 2002 3–4 OT @ New Jersey Devils (2002–03) 3–11–3–1 OTL
19 November 22, 2002 5–4 Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03) 4–11–3–1 W
20 November 23, 2002 1–4 @ Boston Bruins (2002–03) 4–12–3–1 L
21 November 27, 2002 1–1 OT Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) 4–12–4–1 T
22 November 29, 2002 1–4 Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) 4–13–4–1 L
23 November 30, 2002 1–3 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) 4–14–4–1 L
December: 4–8–1–1 (home: 3–4–1–1; road: 1–4–0–0)
Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap
24 December 4, 2002 4–0 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03) 5–14–4–1 W
25 December 6, 2002 4–1 @ New York Rangers (2002–03) 6–14–4–1 W
26 December 7, 2002 4–3 Washington Capitals (2002–03) 7–14–4–1 W
27 December 10, 2002 2–4 Ottawa Senators (2002–03) 7–15–4–1 L
28 December 13, 2002 1–1 OT Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03) 7–15–5–1 T
29 December 14, 2002 0–2 @ Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) 7–16–5–1 L
30 December 18, 2002 4–2 Boston Bruins (2002–03) 8–16–5–1 W
31 December 20, 2002 0–3 Florida Panthers (2002–03) 8–17–5–1 L
32 December 21, 2002 2–6 @ Montreal Canadiens (2002–03) 8–18–5–1 L
33 December 23, 2002 2–5 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) 8–19–5–1 L
34 December 26, 2002 2–3 Ottawa Senators (2002–03) 8–20–5–1 L
35 December 28, 2002 3–4 Minnesota Wild (2002–03) 8–21–5–1 L
36 December 30, 2002 3–4 @ Washington Capitals (2002–03) 8–22–5–1 L
37 December 31, 2002 0–1 OT New York Islanders (2002–03) 8–22–5–2 OTL
January: 7–2–2–2 (home: 3–1–1–0; road: 4–1–1–2)
Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap
38 January 3, 2003 6–3 Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) 9–22–5–2 W
39 January 4, 2003 2–1 OT @ Ottawa Senators (2002–03) 10–22–5–2 W
40 January 7, 2003 2–3 @ Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) 10–23–5–2 L
41 January 10, 2003 4–2 Boston Bruins (2002–03) 11–23–5–2 W
42 January 11, 2003 3–2 @ Montreal Canadiens (2002–03) 12–23–5–2 W
43 January 14, 2003 1–0 @ Minnesota Wild (2002–03) 13–23–5–2 W
44 January 16, 2003 2–2 OT @ San Jose Sharks (2002–03) 13–23–6–2 T
45 January 18, 2003 1–0 @ Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03) 14–23–6–2 W
46 January 21, 2003 0–0 OT Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) 14–23–7–2 T
47 January 24, 2003 4–0 Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) 15–23–7–2 W
48 January 25, 2003 3–4 OT @ Ottawa Senators (2002–03) 15–23–7–3 OTL
49 January 27, 2003 1–5 Nashville Predators (2002–03) 15–24–7–3 L
50 January 30, 2003 1–2 OT @ St. Louis Blues (2002–03) 15–24–7–4 OTL
February: 4–7–1–1 (home: 3–3–0–0; road: 1–4–1–1)
Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap
51 February 4, 2003 1–4 @ New Jersey Devils (2002–03) 15–25–7–4 L
52 February 7, 2003 2–4 Vancouver Canucks (2002–03) 15–26–7–4 L
53 February 8, 2003 1–3 @ New York Islanders (2002–03) 15–27–7–4 L
54 February 11, 2003 2–3 St. Louis Blues (2002–03) 15–28–7–4 L
55 February 13, 2003 2–4 @ Detroit Red Wings (2002–03) 15–29–7–4 L
56 February 15, 2003 5–4 New York Rangers (2002–03) 16–29–7–4 W
57 February 17, 2003 3–4 OT @ Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) 16–29–7–5 OTL
58 February 19, 2003 2–1 OT Montreal Canadiens (2002–03) 17–29–7–5 W
59 February 21, 2003 1–4 Los Angeles Kings (2002–03) 17–30–7–5 L
60 February 23, 2003 4–1 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) 18–30–7–5 W
61 February 24, 2003 2–2 OT @ Florida Panthers (2002–03) 18–30–8–5 T
62 February 26, 2003 2–3 @ Washington Capitals (2002–03) 18–31–8–5 L
63 February 28, 2003 5–3 Dallas Stars (2002–03) 19–31–8–5 W
March: 7–5–1–3 (home: 5–2–0–1; road: 2–3–1–2)
Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap
64 March 1, 2003 1–2 OT @ New York Islanders (2002–03) 19–31–8–6 OTL
65 March 4, 2003 1–2 Washington Capitals (2002–03) 19–32–8–6 L
66 March 6, 2003 4–2 Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) 20–32–8–6 W
67 March 8, 2003 4–0 @ Florida Panthers (2002–03) 21–32–8–6 W
68 March 9, 2003 1–1 OT @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) 21–32–9–6 T
69 March 12, 2003 2–3 OT Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) 21–32–9–7 OTL
70 March 14, 2003 2–4 Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) 21–33–9–7 L
71 March 15, 2003 3–5 @ Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) 21–34–9–7 L
72 March 18, 2003 5–2 Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) 22–34–9–7 W
73 March 19, 2003 0–3 @ New York Rangers (2002–03) 22–35–9–7 L
74 March 22, 2003 2–3 OT @ Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) 22–35–9–8 OTL
75 March 24, 2003 4–3 OT Colorado Avalanche (2002–03) 23–35–9–8 W
76 March 26, 2003 2–1 Florida Panthers (2002–03) 24–35–9–8 W
77 March 28, 2003 4–1 Montreal Canadiens (2002–03) 25–35–9–8 W
78 March 29, 2003 3–1 @ Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) 26–35–9–8 W
79 March 31, 2003 0–3 @ Dallas Stars (2002–03) 26–36–9–8 L
April: 1–1–1–0 (home: 1–0–1–0; road: 0–1–0–0)
Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap
80 April 2, 2003 4–3 Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) 27–36–9–8 W
81 April 5, 2003 5–8 @ Boston Bruins (2002–03) 27–37–9–8 L
82 April 6, 2003 2–2 OT New Jersey Devils (2002–03) 27–37–10–8 T

Legend: W Win (2 points) L Loss (0 points) T Tie (1 point) OTL Overtime loss (1 point)

Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sabres only.
No. Player Pos Regular season
GP G A Pts +/- PIM
81 Miroslav Satan LW 79 26 49 75 −3 20
77 Chris Gratton C 66 15 29 44 −5 86
12 Ales Kotalik RW 68 21 14 35 −2 30
17 Jean-Pierre Dumont RW 76 14 21 35 −14 44
41 Stu Barnes C 68 11 21 32 −13 20
37 Curtis Brown C 74 15 16 31 4 40
24 Taylor Pyatt LW 78 14 14 28 −8 38
71 Jochen Hecht LW 49 10 16 26 4 30
18 Tim Connolly C 80 12 13 25 −28 32
45 Dmitri Kalinin D 65 8 13 21 −7 57
44 Alexei Zhitnik D 70 3 18 21 −5 85
51 Brian Campbell D 65 2 17 19 −8 20
22 Adam Mair C 79 6 11 17 −4 146
3 James Patrick D 69 4 12 16 −3 26
10 Henrik Tallinder D 46 3 10 13 −3 28
48 Daniel Briere C 14 7 5 12 1 12
25 Vaclav Varada RW 44 7 4 11 −2 23
61 Maxim Afinogenov RW 35 5 6 11 −12 21
4 Rhett Warrener D 50 0 9 9 1 63
26 Eric Boulton LW 58 1 5 6 1 178
28 Jason Botterill LW 17 1 4 5 1 14
74 Jay McKee D 59 0 5 5 −16 49
8 Rory Fitzpatrick D 36 1 3 4 −7 16
16 Chris Taylor C 11 1 3 4 −1 2
5 Jason Woolley D 14 0 3 3 −1 29
55 Denis Hamel LW 25 2 0 2 −4 17
19 Norm Milley RW 8 0 2 2 −2 6
15 Milan Bartovic RW 3 1 0 1 0 0
43 Martin Biron G 54 0 1 1 12
60 Paul Gaustad C 1 0 0 0 0 0
21 Radoslav Hecl D 14 0 0 0 0 2
6 Doug Houda D 1 0 0 0 −2 2
33 Doug Janik D 6 0 0 0 1 2
29 Jaroslav Kristek RW 6 0 0 0 −2 4
23 Sean McMorrow LW 1 0 0 0 0 0
30 Ryan Miller G 15 0 0 0 0
35 Mika Noronen G 16 0 0 0 0
32 Rob Ray RW 41 0 0 0 −5 92

Goaltending

No. Player Regular season
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
43 Martin Biron 54 17 28 6 1468 135 2.56 .908 4 3170
30 Ryan Miller 15 6 8 1 410 40 2.63 .902 1 912
35 Mika Noronen 16 4 9 3 411 36 2.42 .912 1 891

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(in-season)
NHL All-Star Game selection Miroslav Satan[a] [6]
NHL Player of the Week Miroslav Satan (December 9) [7]
NHL Rookie of the Month Ales Kotalik (January) [8]
NHL YoungStars Game selection Ryan Miller [9]
Taylor Pyatt
Henrik Tallinder

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Ryan Miller November 19, 2002 [10]
Radoslav Hecl November 30, 2002
Jaroslav Kristek January 10, 2003
Doug Janik March 14, 2003
Sean McMorrow March 22, 2003
Paul Gaustad March 24, 2003
Milan Bartovic April 2, 2003

Transactions

The Sabres were involved in the following transactions from June 14, 2002, the day after the deciding game of the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 9, 2003, the day of the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals.[11]

Trades

Date Details Ref
June 22, 2002 (2002-06-22) To Buffalo Sabres
  • 1st-round pick in 2002
To Columbus Blue Jackets
[12]
To Buffalo Sabres
  • 2nd-round pick in 2002
  • 3rd-round pick in 2002
To Atlanta Thrashers
[12]
To Buffalo Sabres
  • 2nd-round pick in 2002
To Nashville Predators
  • 3rd-round pick in 2002
  • 2nd-round pick in 2003
[12]
To Buffalo Sabres
To Edmonton Oilers
  • Atlanta’s 2nd-round pick in 2002
  • Nashville’s 2nd-round pick in 2002
[12]
July 24, 2002 (2002-07-24) To Buffalo Sabres
To Los Angeles Kings
[13]
November 16, 2002 (2002-11-16) To Buffalo Sabres
  • Future considerations
To Detroit Red Wings
[14]
February 25, 2003 (2003-02-25) To Buffalo Sabres
To Ottawa Senators
[15]
March 10, 2003 (2003-03-10) To Buffalo Sabres
  • Future considerations
To Ottawa Senators
[16]
To Buffalo Sabres
To Dallas Stars
[17]
March 11, 2003 (2003-03-11) To Buffalo Sabres
To Phoenix Coyotes
[18]

Players acquired

Date Player Former team Term Via Ref
August 7, 2002 (2002-08-07) Peter Ratchuk Pittsburgh Penguins Free agency [19]
August 12, 2002 (2002-08-12) Jason Botterill Calgary Flames Free agency [20]

Players lost

Date Player New team Via[b] Ref
June 14, 2002 (2002-06-14) Christian Matte ZSC Lions (NLA) Free agency (VI) [22]
July 10, 2002 (2002-07-10) Richard Smehlik Atlanta Thrashers Free agency (III) [23]
July 29, 2002 (2002-07-29) Darren Van Oene Boston Bruins Free agency (UFA) [24]
August 3, 2002 (2002-08-03) Bob Corkum Retirement (III) [25]
August 18, 2002 (2002-08-18) Mike Hurlbut Retirement (VI) [26]
September 10, 2002 (2002-09-10) Bob Essensa Retirement (III) [27]
N/A Mario Larocque Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) Free agency (UFA) [28]
October 2, 2002 (2002-10-02) Luc Theoret Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (CHL) Free agency (UFA) [29]
December 3, 2002 (2002-12-03) Jeremy Adduono Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) Free agency (II) [30]

Signings

Date Player Term Contract type Ref
June 27, 2002 (2002-06-27) Curtis Brown 1-year Option exercised [31]
Jay McKee 1-year Option exercised [31]
July 3, 2002 (2002-07-03) Rob Ray 1-year Re-signing [32]
July 12, 2002 (2002-07-12) Mika Noronen multi-year Re-signing [33]
July 25, 2002 (2002-07-25) James Patrick 2-year Re-signing [34]
July 30, 2002 (2002-07-30) Tim Connolly 1-year Re-signing [35]
July 31, 2002 (2002-07-31) Brian Campbell Re-signing [36]
Chris Gratton Re-signing [36]
Rhett Warrener Re-signing [36]
August 7, 2002 (2002-08-07) Rory Fitzpatrick Re-signing [19]
August 8, 2002 (2002-08-08) Martin Biron 2-year Re-signing [37]
Radoslav Hecl Entry-level [38]
Jason Pominville Entry-level [38]
August 12, 2002 (2002-08-12) Francois Methot Re-signing [20]
August 26, 2002 (2002-08-26) Ryan Miller 2-year Entry-level [39]
September 4, 2002 (2002-09-04) Maxim Afinogenov multi-year Re-signing [40]
September 18, 2002 (2002-09-18) Jiri Novotny multi-year Entry-level [41]
October 8, 2002 (2002-10-08) Vaclav Varada Re-signing [42]
May 28, 2003 (2003-05-28) Derek Roy Entry-level [43]
Chris Thorburn Entry-level [43]

Draft picks

Buffalo's draft picks at the 2002 NHL entry draft held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario.[44]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 11 Keith Ballard  United States University of Minnesota (WCHA)
1 20 Daniel Paille  Canada Guelph Storm (OHL)
3 76 Michael Tessier  Canada Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)
3 82 John Adams  United States Boston College (Hockey East)
4 108 Jakub Hulva  Czech Republic HC Vitkovice Jr. (Czech Republic)
4 121 Marty Magers  United States Omaha Lancers (USHL)
6 178 Maxim Shchevyev  Russia Elemash Elektrostal (Russia)
7 208 Radoslav Hecl  Slovakia Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia)
8 241 Dennis Wideman  Canada London Knights (OHL)
9 271 Martin Cizek  Czech Republic Slavia Prague Jr. (Czech Republic)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Satan was an injury replacement for Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs.[5]
  2. ^ In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.[21]

References

  • "Buffalo Sabres 2002-03 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  • "2002-03 Buffalo Sabres Roster and Statistics". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  1. ^ National Hockey League (2010). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011. Triumph Books. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-60078-422-4.
  2. ^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2009). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2010. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 163.
  3. ^ "2002–2003 Standings by Conference". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  4. ^ "2002-03 Buffalo Sabres Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  5. ^ "Sabres Going to the All Star Game". Buffalo Sabres. January 28, 2003. Archived from the original on October 10, 2003. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "2003 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  7. ^ "Sabres Satan Named Player of the Week". Buffalo Sabres. December 9, 2002. Archived from the original on October 10, 2003. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  8. ^ "Sabres Kotalik Named Rookie of the Month". Buffalo Sabres. January 31, 2003. Archived from the original on August 11, 2003. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  9. ^ "NHL - 2003 YoungStars Rosters". ESPN.com. January 18, 2003. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  10. ^ "2002-03 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  11. ^ "Hockey Transactions Search Results". www.prosportstransactions.com. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c d Schultz, Janet (June 22, 2002). "Sabres Trade Kozlov Acquire Jochen Hecht". Buffalo Sabres. Archived from the original on August 19, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  13. ^ "Sabres Acquire Adam Mair From The LA Kings For Erik Rasmussen". Buffalo Sabres. July 24, 2002. Archived from the original on October 14, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  14. ^ "Sabres Trade Jason Woolley to Detroit". Buffalo Sabres. November 16, 2002. Archived from the original on October 10, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  15. ^ "Sabres Acquire Jakub Klepis from Ottawa Senators for Vaclav Varada". Buffalo Sabres. February 25, 2003. Archived from the original on October 10, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  16. ^ "Sabres Trade Rob Ray to the Ottawa Senators". Buffalo Sabres. March 10, 2003. Archived from the original on October 10, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  17. ^ "Sabres Acquire Mike Ryan and Second Round Selection from Dallas in Exchange for Stu Barnes". Buffalo Sabres. March 10, 2003. Archived from the original on October 10, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  18. ^ "Sabres Acquire Daniel Briere From Phoenix in Exchange for Chris Gratton". Buffalo Sabres. March 11, 2003. Archived from the original on October 10, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Sabres Sign Fitzpatrick and Ratchuk". Buffalo Sabres. August 7, 2002. Archived from the original on October 14, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  20. ^ a b "Sabres Sign Jason Botterill and Francois Methot". Buffalo Sabres. August 8, 2002. Archived from the original on October 14, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  21. ^ "NHL FREE-AGENT LIST". Daily Herald. July 2, 2002. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  22. ^ Christian Matte at Hockey-Reference.com, retrieved November 28, 2022
  23. ^ "+SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 10+". UPI. July 10, 2002. Retrieved November 28, 2022. Atlanta Thrashers -- Signed free agent defenseman Richard Smehlik.
  24. ^ "Bruins Re-Sign P.J. Axelsson and Sign Darren Van Oene". Boston Bruins. July 29, 2002. Archived from the original on March 14, 2004. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  25. ^ Bob Corkum at Hockey-Reference.com, retrieved November 28, 2022
  26. ^ Mike Hurlbut at Hockey-Reference.com, retrieved November 28, 2022
  27. ^ Bob Essensa at Hockey-Reference.com, retrieved November 28, 2022
  28. ^ "PENGUINS OPEN TRAINING CAMP TOMORROW AT THE FIRST UNION ARENA AT CASEY PLAZA". Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. September 22, 2002. Archived from the original on February 17, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  29. ^ "Mudbugs Announce Affiliation with AHL's Rochester Americans". OurSports Central. October 2, 2002. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  30. ^ "Sound Tigers Sign Adduono". OurSports Central. December 3, 2002. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  31. ^ a b "Sabres Pick Up Contract Options and Extend Qualifying Offers". Buffalo Sabres. June 27, 2002. Archived from the original on October 14, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  32. ^ "Sabres Agree To Terms With Rob Ray". Buffalo Sabres. July 3, 2002. Archived from the original on October 14, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  33. ^ "Sabres Agree To Terms With Goaltender Mika Noronen". Buffalo Sabres. July 12, 2002. Archived from the original on October 14, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  34. ^ "Sabres Agree to Terms with James Patrick". Buffalo Sabres. July 25, 2002. Archived from the original on August 19, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  35. ^ "Sabres Agree to Terms with Tim Connolly". Buffalo Sabres. July 30, 2002. Archived from the original on October 14, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  36. ^ a b c "Sabres Sign Warrener, Gratton, Campbell". Buffalo Sabres. July 31, 2002. Archived from the original on August 19, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  37. ^ "Sabres Sign Goaltender Martin Biron". Buffalo Sabres. August 8, 2002. Archived from the original on October 14, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  38. ^ a b "Sabres Sign Jason Pominville And Radoslav Hecl". Buffalo Sabres. August 7, 2002. Archived from the original on October 14, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  39. ^ "Sabres Sign Ryan Miller". Buffalo Sabers. August 26, 2002. Archived from the original on October 10, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  40. ^ "Sabres Agree To Terms with Maxim Afinogenov". Buffalo Sabres. September 4, 2002. Archived from the original on July 21, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  41. ^ "Sabres Sign 2001 1st Round Draft Pick". Buffalo Sabres. September 18, 2002. Archived from the original on October 10, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  42. ^ "Sabres Agree To Terms With Vaclav Varada". Buffalo Sabres. October 4, 2002. Archived from the original on October 10, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  43. ^ a b "BUFFALO SABRES SIGN MEMORIAL CUP MVP DEREK ROY". Buffalo Sabres. May 28, 2003. Archived from the original on August 11, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  44. ^ "2002 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". hockeyDB.com. Retrieved December 23, 2022.