The name was selected after holding a fan contest. They played their first few seasons at the Memorial Auditorium.

In their first two seasons, the Buffalo Sabres drafted Gilbert Perreault and Rick Martin. Along with Rene Robert, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins, they were star players in the team and were named “The French Connection” because of their French-Canadian origins. In 1973, their third year, the Sabres made their first playoffs but lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the quarterfinals. In 1975, they made the Stanley Cup Finals where they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers. During the 1970’s, the French Connection kept the team going and in the 1980’s they beat the Soviet Olympic team, when they came to the United States. They were unable to make it back to the Final though.

Their last season at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, also known as the Aud, was in 1995-96. It was also their first under Coach Ted Nolan. They started playing at the Marine Midland Arena in 1996 and they won the Northeast Division title that season. In 1996, the team was sold to Adelphia Communications after Seymour Knox died. The next year, Lindy Ruff was hired as their head coach after Nolan left. The team reached the Conference Finals in 1998, but was defeated by the Washington Capitals.

The Sabres made the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999 against the Dallas Stars, only to lose in a controversial sixth game where the final goal by the Stars was questionable. In 2002, the league had to take control of the team, because owners John Rigas and his sons were arrested for fraud and embezzlement of more than $2 billion from Adelphia. For a while, there were no takers for the team and it was feared that it might have to fold. In 2003, New York billionaire Tom Golisano bought the team.

Their 2005-06 season was the best in over twenty years. They finished the season with a record of 52 wins, which was the first time they won more than 50 games in a season. They also scored 110 points, which was their first season with more then 100 points in twenty three years. In 2007, they won the Division Championship after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1.

The Sabres have retired some of their jersey numbers. The players include Rick Martin 7, Gilbert Perreault 11, Rene Robert 14, Danny Gare 18 and Wayne Gretzky 99. Some players inducted in the Hall of Fame are Tim Horton, Dale Hawerchuk, Pat LaFontaine and Phil Housley.