Hockey Players who Played for Sabres and Flyers
My guess is you’ve searched this page out because you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
If I’m right, that also means that today’s grid is asking for players who have played for both the Buffalo Sabres and the Philadelphia Flyers.
And, I’m also guessing that you’re a little stuck on this particular square and you’re looking for a little help to keep your grid immaculate. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, I’m here to help.
I’ve already done the research and have put together a list of well-known stars along with some more “under-the-radar” players that could land you a low rarity score.
Daniel Brière
Daniel Brière is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and current executive serving as the general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers. Brière was drafted in the first round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes and played for several NHL teams, including the Sabres, Flyers, Canadiens, and Avalanche.
He entered the NHL with the Coyotes and spent his first four seasons splitting time between the NHL and the AHL. Brière’s NHL career took off after he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, where he emerged as a star player. He led the Flyers in scoring during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs and nearly broke Wayne Gretzky’s record for points in a final series.
Brière concluded his NHL playing career with the Colorado Avalanche, retiring in 2015. He was the first NHL player to have an accent on his jersey while playing for the Canadiens.
Briere Key Stats
- 50+ Assist Season (Sabres)
Alexei Zhitnik
Alexei Zhitnik, a prominent defenseman, began his NHL career with the Los Angeles Kings in 1992 after being drafted 81st overall in 1991. His career in the NHL spanned over 15 seasons across five teams, including a significant period with the Buffalo Sabres.
Zhitnik played an instrumental role in the Kings’ Stanley Cup Finals run in his rookie season and helped the Sabres win the Northeast Division in the 1996-97 season. He also led all defensemen in shorthanded goals in the 1997-98 season and was part of the Sabres’ team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998-99.
His career stats boast 1085 games played, 96 goals, 375 assists, and a total of 471 points, alongside 1268 penalty minutes. He also assisted on Wayne Gretzky’s 1000th goal, and on February 20, 2007, became the eighth defenseman born outside of North America, and the first born in the Soviet Union, to appear in 1,000 NHL games.
Nicolas Deslauriers
Nicolas Deslauriers, a Canadian left winger, currently plays for the Philadelphia Flyers. He was drafted in the third round, 84th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Deslauriers began his pro career with their AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs.
In 2014, Deslauriers was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, where he made his NHL debut. He was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 2017, contributing significantly to the team and earning the Molson Cup honour in December 2017.
In 2019, Deslauriers joined the Anaheim Ducks, where he set a record for the fastest hat trick in team history. Before the 2022 trade deadline, he was traded to the Minnesota Wild and then signed a four-year, $7 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers in July 2022.
