On June 17, 1986, at the end of the 1985-1986 season, Gilbert Perreault announced his retirement. He did not sign any official retirement papers and he didn't rule out coming back to play the following season for the Sabres.
Well the league changed the pension rules and #11 came back the following season for 20 games. He then retired for good on November 24,1986 with 512 goals and 814 assists for a total of 1326 points.