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Throwback Tuesday: Buffalo's Biggest Trades

By Budd Bailey


(Note: In 2019, I came up with a list of the biggest swaps in the city's sports history. I wonder how many new ones would go on the list now ...)



No. 1: December 9, 1976 - The Braves trade Bob McAdoo and Tom McMillen to the New York Knicks for John Gianelli and a reported $3 million.


No. 2: April 24, 1982 - The Bills trade Tom Cousineau to Cleveland for a first-round draft pick in 1983 (Jim Kelly), a third-round draft choice in 1984 (Rodney Bellinger) and a fifth-round draft choice in 1985 (Matt Darwin).

No. 3: August 7, 1992 - The Sabres trade Stephane Beauregard and a fourth-round draft choice in 1993 (Eric Daze) to Chicago for Dominik Hasek.

No. 4: December 2, 1981 - The Sabres trade Jim Schoenfeld, Danny Gare and Derek Smith to Detroit for Mike Foligno, Dale McCourt and Brent Peterson.

No. 5: October 25, 1991 - The Sabres trade Pierre Turgeon, Uwe Krupp, Dave McLlwain and Benoit Hogue to the New York Islanders for Pat LaFontaine, Randy Wood and Randy Hillier.

No. 6: October 31, 1987 - The Bills trade Greg Bell, a first-round draft choice in 1988, a first-round draft choice in 1989, and a second-round draft choice in 1989 in a three-way deal with Los Angeles and Indianapolis for Cornelius Bennett.


No. 7: February 28, 2014 - The Sabres trade Ryan Miller and Steve Ott to St. Louis for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, William Carrier, a first-round draft choice in 2015, and a third-round draft choice in 2016.

No. 8: October, 1991 - The Bandits trade Brian Nikula to Detroit for John Tavares.

No. 9: March 24, 1978 - The Bills trade O.J. Simpson to San Francisco for a second-round draft choice in 1978 (Scott Hutchinson), a third-round draft choice in 1978 (Danny Fulton), a first-round draft choice in 1979 (Tom Cousineau), a fourth-round draft choice in 1979 (Ken Johnson), and a second-round draft choice in 1980 (Joe Cribbs).

No. 10 – June 16, 1990 - The Sabres trade Phil Housley, Scott Arniel, Jeff Parker and a first-round draft choice in 1990 (Keith Tkachuk) to Winnipeg for Dale Hawerchuk and a first-round draft choice in 1990 (Brad May).

o. 11: April 30, 2014 - The Bills trade a first-round draft choice in 2014 (Tavon Austin), a first-round draft choice in 2015, and a fourth-round draft choice in 2015 (Ibraheim Campbell) to Cleveland for a first-round draft choice in 2014 (Sammy Watkins).

No. 12: July 8, 1995 - The Sabres trade Alexander Mogilny and a fifth-round draft choice in 1995 (Todd Norman) to Vancouver for Michael Peca, Mike Wilson, and a first-round draft choice in 1995 (Jay McKee).


No. 13: February 2, 1993 - The Sabres trade Dave Andreychuk, Daren Puppa, and a first-round draft choice in 1993 (Kenny Jonsson) to Toronto for Grant Fuhr and a fifth-round draft choice in 1995 (Kevin Popp).


No. 14: March 14, 1967 - The Bills trade Daryle Lamonica, Glenn Bass, a third-round draft choice in 1967 (Bill Fairband), and a fifth-round draft choice in 1967 (Mike Hibler) to Oakland for Tom Flores, Art Powell, and a second-round draft choice in 1967.


No. 15: March 4, 1972 - The Sabres trade Eddie Shack to Pittsburgh for Rene Robert.

No. 16: March 23, 1999 - The Sabres trade Mike Wilson to Florida for Rhett Warrener and a 1999 fifth-round draft choice (Ryan Miller).


No. 17: September 12, 1973: The Braves trade Elmore Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers for Jim McMillian.


No. 18: April 9, 1985 - The Bills trade the first-round choice in the supplemental draft (Bernie Kosar) to Cleveland for Chip Banks (did not report; replaced with a first-round draft choice in 1985), a third-round draft choice in 1985 (Hal Garner), a first-round draft choice in 1986 (Ronnie Harmon), and a sixth-round draft choice in 1986 (Floyd Dixon).


No. 19: February 24, 1965 - The Bills trade Cookie Gilchrist to Denver for Billy Joe.


No. 20: March 11, 2003 - The Sabres trade Chris Gratton and a fourth-round draft choice in 2004 (Liam Reddox) to Phoenix for Daniel Briere and a third-round draft choice in 2004 (Andrej Sekera).


No. 21: October 24, 1976The Braves trade Moses Malone to Houston for a first-round draft choice in 1977 and a first-round draft choice in 1978.


No. 22: July 1, 2001 - The Sabres trade Dominik Hasek to Detroit for Vyacheslav Kozlov, a first-round draft pick in 2002, and future considerations.


No. 23: December 31, 1987 - The Sabres trade Paul Cyr and a 10th-round draft choice in 1988 (Eric Fenton) to the New York Rangers for Mike Donnelly and a fifth-round draft choice in 1988 (Alexander Mogilny).


No. 24: April 16, 2018 - The Bills trade their first-round draft choice (Vita Vea) and two second-round choices (M.J. Stewart and another pick that was later traded) to Tampa Bay for a first-round draft choice (Josh Allen) and a seventh-round draft choice (Austin Proehl).


No. 25: July 1, 2018- Traded Ryan O’Reilly to St. Louis for Tage Thompson, Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, a first-round draft choice in 2019 and a second-round draft choice in 2021.


No. 26: June 7, 1972 - The Bills trade Marlin Briscoe to Miami for a first-round draft choice in 1973 (Joe DeLamielleure).


No. 27: July 3, 2003 The Sabres trade Rhett Warrener and Steven Reinprecht to Calgary for Chris Drury and Steve Begin.

No. 28: March 10, 1981 - The Sabres trade Rick Martin to Los Angeles for a third-round draft choice in 1981 (Colin Chisholm) and a first-round draft choice in 1983 (Tom Barrasso).


No. 29: April 27, 2017 - The Bills trade a first-round pick in 2017 (Patrick Mahomes) to Kansas City for a first-round pick in 2017 (TraDavious White), a third-round pick in 2017, and a first-round pick in 2018.

No. 30: April 21, 2002 - The Bills trade a first-round draft choice in 2003 to New England for Drew Bledsoe.


No. 31: March 20, 2015 - The Bills trade Kiko Alonso to Philadelphia for LeSean McCoy.

No. 32: March 10, 1980 - The Sabres trade Jerry Korab to Los Angeles for a first-round draft choice in 1982 (Phil Housley).

No. 33: August 2, 2018 - The Sabres trade Cliff Pu, a second-round draft choice in 2019, a third-round draft choice in 2020, and a sixth-round draft choice in 2010 to Carolina for Jeff Skinner.


No. 34: February 28, 2018 - The Bandits trade Callum Crawford and a second-round draft choice in 2019 to New England for Shawn Evans and a fourth-round draft choice in 2018.

No. 35: June 24, 2001 - The Sabres trade Michael Peca to the New York Islanders for Tim Connolly and Taylor Pyatt.


No. 36: October 5, 1979 - The Sabres trade Rene Robert to Colorado for John Van Boxmeer.

No. 37: February 14, 1998 - The Bills trade a first-round draft pick in 1998 (Fred Taylor) and a fourth-round draft choice in 1998 (Tavian Banks) to Jacksonville for Rob Johnson.

No. 38: June 26, 2015 - The Sabres trade Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko, J.T. Compher and a second-round draft pick in 2015 to Colorado for Ryan O’Reilly and Jamie McGinn.


No. 39: June 10, 1970 - The Sabres trade Tom Webster to Detroit for Roger Crozier.

No. 40: June 6, 1983 - The Sabres trade Tony McKegney, Andre Savard, J.F. Sauve and a third-round draft choice in 1983 (Iirvo Jarvi) to Quebec for Real Cloutier and a first-round draft choice in 1983 (Adam Creighton).


No. 41: April 28, 1987 - The Bills trade a first-round draft choice in 1987 (Alonzo Highsmith) to Houston for a first-round draft choice in 1987 (Shane Conlan) and a second-round draft choice in 1987.

No. 42: December 19, 2002 - The Bandits trade Ken Montour and a third-round draft choice in 2004 to Columbus for Mark Steenhuis.


No. 43: April 17, 2009 - The Bills trade Jason Peters to Philadelphia for a first-round draft choice in 2009 (Eric Wood), a fourth-round draft choice in 2009 (Shawn Nelson) and a sixth-round draft choice in 2010 (Danny Batten).


No. 44: November 12, 1988 - The Sabres trade Tom Barrasso and a third-round draft choice in 1990 (Joe Dziedzic) to Pittsburgh for Doug Bodger and Darrin Shannon.


No. 45: June 9, 1982 - The Sabres trade Don Edwards, Richie Dunn, a second-round draft choice in 1982 (Rich Kromm) and a first-round draft choice in 1983 (Dan Quinn) to Calgary for a first-round draft choice (Paul Cyr) and second-round draft choice (Jens Johansson) in 1982 and a first-round draft choice (Norm Lacombe) and a second-round draft choice (John Tucker) in 1983.

No. 46: March 6, 2003 - The Bills trade Peerless Price to Atlanta for a first-round draft choice in 2003 (Willie McGahee).

No. 47 – September 29, 1997 - The Sabres trade Pat LaFontaine to the New York Rangers in exchange for a second-round draft choice in 1998 (Andrew Peters) and future considerations.

No. 48 – February 1, 1976 - The Braves trade Gar Heard and a second-round draft choice in 1975 (Al Fleming) to Phoenix for John Shumate.

No. 49 – February 14, 1995 - The Sabres trade Grant Fuhr, Philippe Boucher, and Denis Tsygurov to Los Angeles for Alexei Zhitnik, Charlie Huddy, Robb Stauber, and a fifth-round draft choice in 1995 (Marian Menhart).

No. 50: July 18, 1985 - The Bills trade Tony Hunter to the Los Angeles Rams for Vince Ferragamo and a third-round draft choice in 1986 (Leonard Burton).

No. 51 – May 25, 1971 - The Sabres trade Joe Daley to Detroit for Don Luce and Mike Robitaille.

No. 52 – April 29, 2013 - The Bills trade Kelvin Sheppard to Indianapolis for Jerry Hughes.

No. 53: August 1, 2017The Bandits trade Ryan Benesch and a third-round draft choice in 2018 to Colorado (Dennon Armstrong) for Callum Crawford and Alex Buque.


No. 54: February 11, 2015 - The Sabres trade Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Joel Armia, the rights to Brendan Lemieux and a first-round draft choice in 2015 (Jack Roslovic) to Winnipeg for Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian and Jason Kasdorf.


No. 55: December 26, 1988 - The Sabres trade Adam Creighton and future considerations to Chicago for Rick Vaive and future considerations.


No. 56: March 14, 2018 - The Bills trade Tyrod Taylor to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a third-round draft choice in 2018.


No. 57: April 25, 2013 - The Bills trade a first-round draft choice in 2013 and a third-round draft choice in 2013 (T.J. McDonald) to St. Louis for a first-round draft choice in 2013 (EJ Manuel), a second-round draft choice in 2013 (Kiko Alonso), a third-round draft choice in 2013 (Marquise Goodwin), and a seventh-round draft choice in 2013 (Chris Gragg).

No. 58: October 18, 1976 - The Braves trade a first-round draft choice in 1978 (Rick Robey) to Portland for Moses Malone.


No. 59: September 1, 1977The Braves trade Mike Bantom and Adrian Dantley to Indiana for Billy Knight.

No. 60: March 18, 1997 - The Sabres trade Barrie Moore and Craig Millar to Edmonton for Miroslav Satan.


No. 61: December 27, 1973 - The Sabres trade Tracy Pratt and John Gould to Vancouver for Jerry Korab.


No. 62: June 11, 1976 - The Sabres trade the rights to free agent Peter McNab to Boston for the rights to free agent Andre Savard.

No. 63: May 11, 1970The Braves trade Bailey Howell to Philadelphia for Bob Kauffman.


No. 64: April 22, 1980 - The Bills trade Bob Chandler to Oakland for Phil Villapiano.


No. 65: March 6, 1989 - The Sabres trade Calle Johansson and a second-round draft choice in 1989 (Byron Dafoe) to Washington for Clint Malarchuk, Grant Ledyard and a sixth-round draft choice in 1991 (Brian Holzinger).

No. 66: March 10, 2000 - The Sabres trade Michal Grosek to Chicago for Doug Gilmour and Jean-Pierre Dumont.


No. 67: October 27, 2013 - The Sabres trade Thomas Vanek to the New York Islanders for Matt Moulson, a first-round draft choice in 2015 and a second-round draft choice in 2015 (Brendan Guhle).


No. 68: April 3, 2013 - The Sabres trade Jason Pominville to Minnesota for Johan Larsson, Matt Hackett, a first-round draft choice in 2013 (Nikita Zadorov) and a second-round draft choice in 2014 (Vaclav Karabacek).

No. 69: April 2, 1976 - The Bills trade Walt Patulski to St. Louis for a second-round draft choice in 1976 (Joe Devlin.).

No. 70: September 10, 1973 - The Braves trade John Hummer, a second-round draft choice in 1974 (Leon Benbow), and a second-round draft choice in 1975 (Larry Fogle) to Chicago for Gar Heard and Kevin Kunnert.


No. 71: January 26, 1974 - The Bills trade Dennis Shaw to St. Louis for Ahmad Rashad.

No. 72: February 17, 2012 - The Bandits trade first-round draft choices in 2013 (Logan Schuss) and 2014 (Shane MacDonald) to Minnesota for Anthony Cosmo.

No. 73: September 3, 1960The Bills trade Al Crow to Boston for Wray Carlton.

No. 74: January 14, 1972 - The Sabres trade a second-round draft choice in 1972 (Larry Sacharuk) to the New York Rangers for Jim Lorentz.


No. 75: May 11, 1971 - The Bills trade Ron McDole to Washington for a third-round draft choice in 1973 (Bob Kampa), a fourth-round draft choice in 1973 (Jeff Yeates), and a seventh-round draft choice in 1973 (John Ford).


No. 76: October 14, 1974 - The Sabres trade Gerry Meehan and Mike Robitaille to Vancouver for Jocelyn Guevremont and Bryan McSheffrey.


No. 77: November 23, 1977The Braves trade John Shumate, Gus Gerard, and a first-round draft choice in 1979 (Roy Hamilton) to Detroit for Marvin Barnes, a second-round draft choice in 1978 (Lew Massey) and a fourth-round draft choice in 1978 (Larry Harris).


No. 78: March 11, 1999 - The Sabres trade Matthew Barnaby to Pittsburgh for Stu Barnes.


No. 79: April 29, 1980The Bills trade a first-round draft choice in 1980 (Jacob Green) to Seattle for a first-round draft choice in 1980 (Jim Ritcher), and a third-round draft choice in 1980 (John Schmeding).

No. 80: March 10, 2000 - The Sabres trade Wayne Primeau, Brian Holzinger, Cory Sarich and a third-round draft choice in 2000 (Alexander Kharitonov) for Chris Gratton and a second-round draft choice in 2001 (Derek Roy).


No. 81: May 29, 1986 - The Bills trade a second-round draft choice in 1986 (Garry James) and a third-round draft choice in 1986 (Tom Rathman) to San Francisco for a first-round draft choice in 1986 (Will Wolford) and a 10th-round draft choice in 1987 (Jim Ellis).


No. 82: October 5, 2010 - The Bills trade Marshawn Lynch to Seattle for a fourth-round draft choice in 2011 (Chris Hairston) and a conditional draft choice in 2012 (Tank Carder).


No. 83: April 21, 2001 - The Bills trade their first-round draft choice in 2001 (Kenyatta Walker) to Tampa Bay for a first-round draft choice in 2001 (Nate Clements) and a second-round draft choice in 2001.


No. 84: October 1, 1975 - The Sabres trade Larry Carriere, a first-round draft choice in 1976 (Greg Carroll) and cash to Atlanta for Jacques Richard.

No. 85: February 26, 2008 - The Sabres trade Brian Campbell and a seventh-round choice in 2008 (Drew Daniels) to San Jose for Steve Bernier and a first-round pick in 2008 (Tyler Ennis).


No. 86: June 30, 2017 - The Sabres trade Tyler Ennis, Marcus Foligno and a third-round draft choice in 2018 (Jack McBain) to Minnesota for Marco Scandella, Jason Pominville and a fourth-round draft choice in 2018 (Linus Lindstrand Cronholm ).


No. 87: March 10, 1992 - The Sabres trade Kevin Haller to Montreal for Petr Svoboda.

No. 88: July 15, 2013 - The Bandits trade first-round draft choices in 2015 (Randy Staats) and 2016 and a third-round draft choice in 2017 (Frank Brown) to Minnesota for Ryan Benesch and Andrew Watt.


No. 89: February 15, 1996 - The Sabres trade Craig Muni and a first-round draft choice in 1996 (Daniel Briere) to Winnipeg for Darryl Shannon and Michal Grosek.

No. 90: October 11, 1991 - The Sabres trade Darrin Shannon, Dean Kennedy and Mike Hartman to Winnipeg for Dave McLlwain, Gord Donnelly, a fifth-round draft choice in 1992 (Yuri Khmylev) in 1992 and future considerations.


No. 91: April 30, 1985 - The Bills trade a first-round draft choice (acquired from Cleveland) in 1985 (Ken Ruettgers) and a fourth-round draft choice in 1986 (Tim Harris) to Green Bay for a first-round draft choice in 1985 (Derrick Burroughs), and a second-round draft choice in 1985 (Chris Burkett).

No. 92: May 1, 1984 - The Bills trade a first-round draft choice in 1984 (Jackie Shipp) to Miami for a first-round draft choice in 1984 (Greg Bell), a third-round draft choice in 1984 (Sean McNanie), and a third-round draft choice in 1984 (Speedy Neal).

No. 93: December 2, 1981 - The Sabres trade Bob Sauve to Detroit for a conditional first-round draft choice (Sauve was returned to the Sabres after the 1981-82 season).


No. 94: April 7, 1995 - The Sabres trade Petr Svoboda to Philadelphia for Garry Galley.

No. 95: March 12, 2018 - The Bills trade Cordy Glenn, a first-round draft choice in 2018 (Billy Price), and a fifth-round draft choice in 2018 (Andrew Brown) to Cincinnati for a first-round draft choice in 2018 and a sixth-round draft choice in 2018 (Ray-Ray McCloud).


No. 96: April 24, 2004 - The Bills trade a second-round draft choice in 2004 (Julius Jones), a fourth-round draft choice in 2004 (Sean Ryan), and a first-round draft choice in 2005 (Marcus Spears) to Dallas for a first-round draft choice in 2004 (J.P. Losman).

No. 97: June 26, 2015The Sabres trade a first-round draft choice in 2015 (Colin White) to Ottawa for Robin Lehner and David Legwand.


No. 98: January 30, 1986 - The Sabres trade Larry Playfair, Sean McKenna and Ken Baumgarter to Los Angeles for Brian Engblom and Doug Smith.


No. 99: March 26, 2007 - The Bills trade Takeo Spikes and Kelly Holcomb to Philadelphia for Darwin Walker and a seventh-round draft choice in 2007 (Stevie Johnson).

No. 100: September 1, 1977The Braves trade George Johnson, a first-round draft choice in 1978 (Micheal Ray Richardson) and a first-round draft choice in 1979 (Cliff Robinson) to New Jersey for Tiny Archibald.


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