Archives for July 6, 2001

'One of the bigger obstacles the Buffalo Sabres faced in trading Dominik Hasek was the fact his contract option was for only one more season. If the legendary goaltender had committed to playing for at least two more seasons, the Sabres certainly would have had an easier time moving their precious commodity and probably would have gotten more in return.'

'According to several sources, the Blues offered goalie Fred Brathwaite and forward Cory Stillman (draft picks were also involved) for Hasek and the Sabres liked that deal better than the one that sent them Slava Kozlov and his $2-plus million salary. But Hasek, unaware that the Blues were about to get Weight, pushed for the Detroit deal and under terms of an agreement before his being traded, the Sabres complied.'

In the 1993-94 season, Dominik Hasek won the starting job, the Vezina Trophy — his first — and the hearts and minds of teammates and fans alike. Hasek emerged from his second season as a Sabre with not only job security and some handsome hardware but a cool nickname to boot: “The Dominator.”