Editing Buffalo Sabres (section)

===Finals trip and ownership turnover (1996–2005)===
Ted Nolan and the Sabres rebounded in [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97]], their first at [[Marine Midland Arena]], by winning their first division title in 16 years, with Nolan winning the [[Jack Adams Award]] as the NHL's top coach,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2024/03/08/red-wings-helped-launch-ted-nolans-unlikely-path-to-nhl-coaching-award/72859072007/|title=Red Wings helped launch Ted Nolan's unlikely path to NHL coaching award|last=Falkner|first=Mark|newspaper=The Detroit News|date=March 8, 2024|accessdate=March 23, 2025}}</ref> Dominik Hasek winning both the [[Hart Memorial Trophy|Hart]] and [[Vezina Trophy|Vezina]] Trophies (the first goaltender to do so since Montreal's [[Jacques Plante]] in 1962),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/06/20/hasek-scores-rare-awards-double/|title=Hasek scores rare awards double|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=June 20, 1997|accessdate=March 23, 2025}}</ref> [[Michael Peca]] taking home the [[Frank J. Selke Trophy]] as the best defensive forward in the NHL and general manager [[John Muckler]] honored as Executive of the Year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.valleybreeze.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/remembering-john-muckler/article_b4a0898a-7a19-575f-b908-bbba9440e28d.html|title=Remembering John Muckler|last=Frederickson|first=Jim|newspaper=The Valley Breeze|date=January 13, 2020|accessdate=March 23, 2025}}</ref>

However, the regular season success was overshadowed by what had taken place during the playoffs. Tensions between Nolan and Hasek had been high for most of the season.<ref name="NolanFeud">{{cite news|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/06/25/hasek-s-feud-with-nolan-lingering/|title=Hasek's feud with Nolan lingering|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=June 25, 1997|accessdate=March 23, 2025}}</ref> After being scored upon in game three of the first round against the [[Ottawa Senators]], Hasek left the game, forcing backup [[Steve Shields (hockey player)|Steve Shields]] to step in. Hasek claimed he felt his knee pop, and the team doctor pronounced him day-to-day. ''[[The Buffalo News]]'' columnist [[Jim Kelley]] wrote a column that night for the next day's newspaper that detailed the day's events,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.courant.com/1997/05/04/remember-when-hasek-deflected-it-all/|title=Remember When Hasek Deflected it All?|newspaper=Hartford Courant|date=August 26, 2021|accessdate=March 23, 2025}}</ref> which irked Hasek. After the Senators won game five, Hasek came out of the Sabres' training room and attacked Kelley, tearing his shirt.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/04/26/hasek-spits-at-writers-feet-then-pushes-and-swings-at-him/|title=Hasek Spits at Writer's Feet, Then Pushes and Swings at Him|newspaper=The Chicago Tribune|date=August 11, 2021|accessdate=March 23, 2025}}</ref> Despite the fact Hasek issued an apology, things went downhill after the incident. Shields starred as the Sabres rallied to win the series against Ottawa. However, before the next series against the Philadelphia Flyers, the NHL announced Hasek had been suspended for three games, with the Sabres informing the NHL Hasek was healthy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/05/02/hasek-suspended-3-games-after-attack/|title=Hasek Suspended 3 Games After Attack|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=May 2, 1997|accessdate=March 23, 2025}}</ref> Set to return in game four with the Sabres down by three games to none, Hasek told the Sabres' coaching staff he felt a twinge in his knee and left the ice after the pre-game skate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-13-sp-58331-story.html|title=Red Wings Don't Mind the Grind|last=Elliott|first=Helene|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 13, 1997|accessdate=March 23, 2025}}</ref> Although the Sabres staved off elimination in game four, they lost in game five.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/05/26/a-shared-goal-against-the-odds-the-flyers-are-out-to-win-the-stanley-cup-with-the-netminding-by-committee-of-ron-hextall-and-garth-snow|title=A Shared Goal Against the Odds, the Flyers Are Out to Win the Stanley Cup With the Netminding-By-Committee of Ron Hextall and Garth Snow |last=Farber|first=Michael|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=May 26, 1997|accessdate=March 23, 2025}}</ref>

Team president [[Larry Quinn (ice hockey)|Larry Quinn]] fired general manager John Muckler, who had a noted feud with Nolan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-15-sp-58879-story.html|title=Sabres End Infighting With Firing of Muckler|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 15, 1997|accessdate=March 24, 2025}}</ref> Hasek, who supported Muckler, openly told reporters at the NHL Awards Ceremony he did not respect Nolan.<ref name="NolanFeud"/> The new general manager, [[Darcy Regier]], offered Nolan just a one-year contract, but Nolan refused. Regier then pulled the contract off the table and did not offer another one, ending Nolan's tenure as Sabres coach.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/06/27/nolan-rejects-1-year-deal-sets-up-exit-from-buffalo/|title=Nolan rejects 1-year deal, sets up exit from Buffalo|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=June 27, 1997|accessdate=March 24, 2025}}</ref> Former Sabres captain [[Lindy Ruff]] was hired as head coach on July 21, 1997, agreeing to a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/sabres-give-coach-lindy-ruff-extension-1.540707|title=Sabres give coach Lindy Ruff extension|publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada|date=October 11, 2005|website=CBC.ca|accessdate=March 24, 2025}}</ref>

====New owners and return to the Finals====
During the [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98 season]], the Sabres, which had lost $32&nbsp;million over the previous three seasons and nearly missed payroll in December 1997, were sold by Northrop Knox to [[John Rigas]], owner of [[Adelphia Communications]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/12/22/knox-family-to-sell-sabres/b63a5bab-778a-4ec5-9392-8285d291dbd0/|title=Knox family to sell Sabres|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=December 22, 1997|accessdate=August 24, 2022}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, Quinn was dismissed and replaced by John's son, Timothy Rigas.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2002/07/29/This-Weeks-Issue/Rigas-Charges-Dont-Mention-The-Sabres/|title=Rigas charges don't mention the Sabres|last=Bernstein|first=Andy|magazine=Sports Business Journal|date=July 28, 2002|accessdate=March 24, 2025}}</ref> The Sabres reached the conference finals that season, but lost to the [[Washington Capitals]] in six games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/capitals-put-sabres-away-in-ot/|title=Capitals Put Sabres Away In OT|publisher=CBS Interactive Inc.|date=June 4, 1998|website=CBSNews.com|accessdate=March 24, 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Full House at Buffalo's Former Marine Midland Arena for Buffalo Sabres Hockey, 1999.jpg|left|thumb|The Sabres playing a game during the [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99 season]]. The Sabres were later crowned the Eastern Conference champions following the [[1999 Stanley Cup playoffs]].]]
In the [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99 season]], [[Miroslav Šatan|Miroslav Satan]] scored 40 goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/satan-scores-40th-in-sabres-win/|title=Satan Scores 40th In Sabres Win|publisher=CBS Interactive Inc.|date=April 18, 1999|website=CBSNews.com|accessdate=March 24, 2025}}</ref> The Sabres would add centers [[Stu Barnes]] from the Pittsburgh Penguins and [[Joé Juneau|Joe Juneau]] from the Capitals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-looking-back-on-the-sabres-1998-99-season-25-years-later|title=Looking back on the Sabres' 1998-99 season 25 years later|last=Kardaman|first=Katelyn|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L. P.|date=June 7, 2024|website=NHL.com|accessdate=March 24, 2025}}</ref> The team returned to the [[1999 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]], this time against the [[Presidents' Trophy]]-winning [[Dallas Stars]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/2020/07/07/sabres-rolled-past-leafs-advance-1999-stanley-cup-finals/3251631001/|title=Maiorana's Memories: Sabres rolled past the Leafs to advance to the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals|last=Maiorana|first=Sal|newspaper=Democrat & Chronicle|date=July 7, 2020|accessdate=March 24, 2025}}</ref> In game six, [[Brett Hull]]'s triple-overtime goal ended the series, and the Stars were awarded the Cup. In 1999, it was illegal to score a goal if an offensive player's skate entered the crease before the puck did. However, NHL officials maintained that Hull's two shots in the goal mouth constituted a single possession of the puck since the puck deflected off Hasek. The rule was changed for the following season, allowing players to be inside the goaltender's crease as long as they do not interfere with the goaltender.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5568751/2024/06/18/nhl-stanley-cup-contrarian/|title=The Contrarian: Brett Hull's 1999 Stanley Cup goal was good and other fake arguments|last=McIndoe|first=Sean|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 18, 2024|accessdate=March 24, 2025}}</ref>

The [[1999–2000 NHL season|following season]], [[Doug Gilmour]] was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/2000/0310/414305.html|title=Blackhawks trade Gilmour to Sabres|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=March 12, 2000|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}</ref> Hasek was also sidelined for three months due to a torn groin, but returned with two months left in the regular season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/1999/1101/146121.html|title=Hasek's injury worse than feared|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=November 3, 1999|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-15-sp-64543-story.html|title=Hasek Changes His Mind, Plans to Return to Sabres|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|via=The Associated Press|date=February 15, 2000|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}</ref> Gilmour on the other hand was stricken by stomach flu just before the postseason.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/gilmour-alters-retirement-plan-1.200496|title=Gilmour alters retirement plan|publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada|date=September 7, 2000|website=CBC.ca|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}</ref> Like the previous playoffs season, there would be an officiating controversy. In game two, Flyers left wing [[John LeClair]] put the puck in the net through a hole in the mesh. While replays appeared to show the puck entering through the "side" of the net, the goal was allowed to stand.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.br/nhl/2000/20000414/recap/bufphi.html|title=Flyers' phantom goal haunts Sabres|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=April 14, 2000|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}</ref> The Flyers would win the game 2–1 and go on to win the series four games to one.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets.espn.go.com/nhl/2000/20000420/recap/bufphi.html|title=No 'O,' short postseason for Sabres|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=April 20, 2000|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}</ref>

[[Captain (hockey)|Captain]] Michael Peca sat out the [[2000–01 NHL season|2000–01 season]] due to a contract dispute, and was later traded to the New York Islanders in June 2001 for [[Tim Connolly]] and [[Taylor Pyatt]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jun-25-sp-14470-story.html|title=Sabres Finally Find Way to Trade Holdout Peca|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|via=The Associated Press|date=June 25, 2001|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}</ref> Even so, the Sabres still defeated Philadelphia in six games during the first round of the playoffs, winning 8–0 in the final game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-apr-22-sp-54300-story.html|title=Sabres Leave No Doubt in 8-0 Rout|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|via=The Associated Press|date=April 22, 2001|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}</ref> In the second round, they faced the Pittsburgh Penguins but lost via a seventh-game overtime goal scored by defenseman [[Darius Kasparaitis]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2001/05/11/penguins-survive-overtime-thriller/293f0bf4-ad9f-4e93-a4db-07812aef1f0d/|title=Penguins Survive Overtime Thriller|last=La Confora|first=Jason|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 10, 2001|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}</ref> After lengthy and failed negotiations with their star goaltender, the Sabres traded Hasek to the [[Detroit Red Wings]] in the summer of 2001,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newson6.com/story/5e36819a2f69d76f62095f2a/hasek-traded-to-detroit|title=HASEK traded to Detroit|via=The Associated Press|publisher=Griffin Media|date=July 1, 2001|website=Newson6.com|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}</ref> closing out "The Dominator's" career with Buffalo.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/top-shelf-no-goalie-dominated-like-the-dominator|title=Top Shelf: No goalie dominated like the Dominator|last=Dixon|first=Ryan|magazine=The Hockey News|date=June 20, 2008|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}</ref>

====Ownership turmoil and lockout====
In May 2002, John Rigas and his sons were indicted for bank, wire and securities fraud for embezzling more than $2&nbsp;billion from Adelphia. Rigas was later convicted and served eight years of a 15-year sentence before his release in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rifkin |first1=Glenn |title=John J. Rigas, Cable TV Magnate Who Pillaged His Company, Dies at 96 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/30/obituaries/john-j-rigas-dead.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=November 27, 2024 |date=September 30, 2021}}</ref> The NHL took control of the team, though the Rigas family remained owners on paper.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/2002/0620/1397197.html|title=NHL taking over control of the Sabres|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=June 24, 2001|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 26, 2025}}</ref> After the two-year period of uncertainty, including rumors of relocating to another city or even outright folding,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbfo.org/2002-06-28/the-portland-sabres|title=The Portland Sabres?|publisher=Western New York Public Broadcasting Association|date=June 28, 2002|website=WBFO.org|accessdate=March 26, 2025}}</ref> the team was sold to a consortium led by [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]] billionaire, and former New York gubernatorial candidate, [[Tom Golisano]] and former Sabres president [[Larry Quinn (ice hockey)|Larry Quinn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/2003/0204/1504008.html|title=Golisano reopens talks with NHL over Sabres|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|via=The Associated Press|date=February 8, 2003|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 26, 2025}}</ref> Golisano was introduced as team owner on March 19, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbfo.org/2003-03-14/golisano-signs-agreement-to-buy-buffalo-sabres|title=Golisano Signs Agreement to Buy Buffalo Sabres|publisher=Western New York Public Broadcasting Association|date=March 14, 2003|website=WBFO.org|accessdate=March 26, 2025}}</ref>

With the [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03 season]] starting under NHL control, general manager Darcy Regier could make only minimal moves. However, with the consultations of impending new ownership, the team began their rebuilding process around the March 2003 trade deadline by clearing out veteran players. The first to go was winger [[Rob Ray]], who was sent to the Ottawa Senators.<ref name="RayBarnes_trade">{{cite news|url=https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Sabres-Trade-Veterans-Barnes-and-Ray-7194792.php|title=Sabres Trade Veterans Barnes and Ray|newspaper=Midland Daily News|date=March 10, 2003|accessdate=March 26, 2025}}</ref> The team then sent center and team captain Stu Barnes to the Dallas Stars in exchange for winger [[Michael Ryan (ice hockey)|Michael Ryan]] and a draft pick.<ref name="RayBarnes_trade"/> A third deal sent center [[Chris Gratton]] to the [[Arizona Coyotes|Phoenix Coyotes]] with a draft pick for [[Daniel Brière|Daniel Briere]] and a draft pick.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Sabres-Deal-Gratton-Acquire-Briere-7196179.php|title=Sabres Deal Gratton, Acquire Briere|last=Wawrow|first=John|newspaper=Midland Daily News|date=March 10, 2003|accessdate=March 26, 2025}}</ref> Over the summer, Regier also completed a three-team trade that landed them [[Chris Drury]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://a.espncdn.com/nhl/news/2003/0703/1576549.html|title=Sabres trade Ballard to Avs in deal|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|via=The Associated Press|date=July 3, 2003|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 26, 2025}}</ref> Although the team improved during the [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 season]], they did not make the playoffs.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.thehockeynews.com/issue/613997/690381|title=Missing playoffs third year running unwanted first fur deceptive Sabres|last=Kelley|first=Jim|magazine=The Hockey News|date=April 20, 2004|volume=57|issue=33|accessdate=March 26, 2025}}</ref> The next season was then curbed by the [[2004–05 NHL lockout]].