Who is the Best Sabre to Ever Wear the # 8?

[Dingo44]

I figured with the hockey summer doldrums upon us, I'd run a poll each day on who people think is the best Sabre to ever wear a particular number.

We're up to # 8 and there are 18 players who wore that number at least once. But to narrow it down, I'm only going to consider those who wore the number at least a full season for a reasonable number of games. Sorry Billy Inglis, Butch Deadmarsh, Dick Duff, Bob Mongrain, David Fenyves, Don Lever, Richard Hajdu, and Jim Jackson. I know that Casey Nelson wears it now, and I have hopes for him, but he really hasn't worn it enough games to be considered yet.

Only consider how that player played while with the Sabres - so, not their NHL career in general.

I'll stick to the main numbers for which players are known - and Jack's going to be #15 for this poll (he hasn't really worn #9 yet anyway).

Polls will allow voting for two days and I'll post the latest results in each poll.

Results so far:

#1 Don Edwards 77.4%
#2 Tim Horton 96.4%
#3 James Patrick 45.7%
#4 Jerry Korab 52.6%
#5 Mike Ramsey 84.9%
#6 Phil Housley 81%

Please, no coaching, GM, or owner talk in here!

Your choices are:

Jim Lorentz 1972-1978
Tony McKegney 1979-1983
Real Cloutier 1984-1985
Doug Bodger 1989-1996
Darryl Shannon 1996-1999
Geoff Sanderson 2000
Rory Fitzpatrick 2002-2006
Cody McCormick 2010-2015

Click to read more...

 

[Tsujimoto]

Finding it really hard not to Vote For Rory here.

 

[Dingo44]

Finding it really hard not to Vote For Rory here.

Yeah, I was afraid this would be a thing. I mean I would hope someone wouldn't - no way he's better than Lorentz, McKegney, or Bodger.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

My head says Bodger and my heart says Lorentz.

 

[Dingo44]

My head says Bodger and my heart says Lorentz.

This was the hardest one for me so far. I could have easily voted for Lorentz, McKegney, or Bodger.

 

[Reddawg]

Vote for Rory! He’d vote for you.

 

[5 Minute Major]

McKegney was probably the best of the group but not as a Sabre.

Batman gets my vote.

 

[sabremike]

As the biggest Whalers fan on the entire board you can probably guess who I voted for (hint: he was one of my childhood heroes).

 

[valet]

I voted for Rory but being realistic I think lorentz

 

[VaporTrail]

Tough between Lorentz, McKegney, and Bodger....I went with Bodger because I felt he was our best defenseman for many years and a real leader on the back end.

 

[Dingo44]

If we end up with a tie because three people voted for Rory Fitzpatrick...

 

[Tsujimoto]

Maybe a nitpick, but if you're only doing one number per player shouldn't Geoff Sanderson be #80 rather than #8? He wore 80 longer than he did 8.

 

[Montag DP]

Maybe a nitpick, but if you're only doing one number per player shouldn't Geoff Sanderson be #80 rather than #8? He wore 80 longer than he did 8.

I don't see why each player should only be allowed to appear in one poll. If it's "the best Sabre ever to wear the number," then we should include all Sabres who have worn each number as possible choices.

 

[Dingo44]

I don't see why each player should only be allowed to appear in one poll. If it's "the best Sabre ever to wear the number," then we should include all Sabres who have worn each number as possible choices.

I'm trying to stick to the main number based on number of games and from what you remember.

I don't have exact days that Sanderson wore 8 or 80, but I remember both, and he came to us wearing 80. Plus, it's more interesting to see how he compares to the other 8's than just him and Chris Stewart - though I'm happy to do that poll...mid October or something at this rate ha ha

 

[Tsujimoto]

He wore 80 for the remainder of the 97-98 season after being traded here, and then all of the 98-99 season, including the Cup Final run. Then after Darryl Shannon left he switched to 8 for the 99-00 season. Including playoffs he played 134 games as #80 and 72 games as #8.

 

[Dingo44]

He wore 80 for the remainder of the 97-98 season after being traded here, and then all of the 98-99 season, including the Cup Final run. Then after Darryl Shannon left he switched to 8 for the 99-00 season. Including playoffs he played 134 games as #80 and 72 games as #8.

Ok I'll do an #80 too.

There are just guys who wore numbers for just a few games or guys like Satan who switched to #18 and then back to #81.

Brad May - hmm...I always see him as a #27 but I should probably throw him into the #10 group too.

 

[Tsujimoto]

If you're going to stick with one number per player I'd go with 27 for May. He wore it longer that 10, and had his best moment as a Sabre wearing it.

 

[Montag DP]

Is it not possible that Sanderson was not the best to wear #8, but he was the best to wear #80? Or any other similar example. That's why I say we should not stick to one number per player.

 

[oldgoalie]

from my heart - Jim Lorentz
with class and a great guy - Tony McKegney

 

[VaporTrail]

Real Cloutier really tore it up in the WHA

 

[sabremike]

Geoff will ALWAYS be #8 to me, CVS Line FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dingo44]

Real Cloutier really tore it up in the WHA

I was only 12 when that trade for Buddy Cloutier happened, and I remember Buffalo was SUPER excited. Turned out to be pretty underwhelming - even with the #1 pick that turned into Adam Creighton.

Buffalo Sabres Legends: Real Cloutier

 

[brian_griffin]

Lorentz, and that's no snub to McKegney. Both were very popular and entertaining players.

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

My wife's maiden name (how old fashioned is that!!) is Lorentz. So this was an easy vote. Except I think McKegney was a better skater and had more speed.

You can imagine the phone calls my wife's family received during the mid -70's. Her cousin's name was Jim Lorentz.

True story......