You’re staring at a grid. Five empty white boxes. The clue? Buffalo NHL player crossword clue.
Your brain immediately goes to the team. The Sabres. But "Sabre" is five letters, and it fits perfectly. That’s usually the answer. Honestly, if you’re doing the New York Times Mini or a standard Monday puzzle, SABRE is the gold standard. It’s the brand, the identity, and the most common fill for this specific prompt.
But crosswords are rarely that kind as the week goes on.
Sometimes the constructor isn't looking for the team name. They want a legend. They want the guy who defined an era of hockey in Western New York. If it’s not SABRE, you’re likely looking for a name like HASEK, EICHEL, or maybe even MARTIN.
Let’s break down the logic of these clues because, basically, the answer depends entirely on the letter count and the difficulty of the puzzle you’re currently fighting.
The Most Common 5-Letter Answers
If you have five letters, it's a toss-up.
SABRE (or sometimes the Americanized SABER) is the primary suspect. Crossword constructors love the word because of that "B" and "R" placement. It’s a vowel-heavy word that helps bridge difficult sections of a grid.
However, if the clue is looking for a specific person, HASEK is the king of the 5-letter slot. Dominik Hasek, "The Dominator," is a Buffalo icon. He’s arguably the greatest goaltender to ever strap on pads. If the clue mentions "goaltender" or "MVP," and it’s five letters, don’t even think twice. It’s Hasek.
Then there’s EICHEL. Jack Eichel was the face of the franchise for years before his high-profile exit to Vegas. Even though he’s gone, his name still haunts the crossword world because it’s such a unique string of letters. Constructors find it incredibly useful.
Quick 5-Letter Reference:
- SABRE: The team name (most frequent).
- HASEK: The legendary goalie.
- EICHEL: The former captain.
- LAREE: (Wait, no, that’s not right—you might see ROREE if they’re getting really obscure with old-school nicknames, but stick to the first three).
Diving Into the 6-Letter Legends
Six letters? Now we’re getting into the history books.
MILLER is the big one here. Ryan Miller. He’s the winningest American-born goalie in NHL history and spent the bulk of his prime in Buffalo. If the clue mentions a "Vezina winner" or a "2010 Olympic star," Miller is your man.
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You might also run into DAHLIN. Rasmus Dahlin is the current cornerstone of the Sabres' defense. As the 2026 season rolls on, he’s becoming a more frequent guest in sports-themed crosswords. He’s young, he’s a captain, and he has that "H" and "L" that help with vertical crossings.
The "French Connection" and Long-Form Answers
If the puzzle is particularly nasty—think a Friday or Saturday New York Times—they might go deep. Buffalo hockey history is rooted in the 1970s "French Connection" line.
- PERREAULT: (9 letters) Gilbert Perreault. The first-ever Sabres draft pick. If you see "original Sabre" and have a ton of space, this is it.
- MARTIN: (6 letters) Rick Martin. Another piece of that legendary line.
- ROBERT: (6 letters) René Robert. The final piece.
Honestly, it’s rare to see Robert because "Robert" is usually clued as a first name (like De Niro or Redford), but in a sports-specific puzzle, it's fair game.
Why "Sabre" is Often a Trap
Constructors love to play with your expectations. If the clue is "Buffalo skater," you think SABRE. But if the clue is "Buffalo hockey pro," and the answer is SABRE, it’s a straightforward Monday.
If it’s a Wednesday and the clue is "Buffalo player," the answer could be BIL—as in a Buffalo Bill.
Wait.
Yeah, they do that. They’ll mix up the sports. You have to check your crossings. If you have an "I" in the middle, it might be BILLS (if it's 5 letters) or BILL (if it's 4). Always look at the surrounding words. If the crossing word is NHL, you know for a fact you're looking for a hockey-specific answer.
Solving Strategies for Sports Clues
When you're stuck on a sports clue and you aren't a "hockey person," use the "Letter Pattern" method.
- Count the boxes first. (Obviously).
- Check for "Pluralization." Does the clue end in an "s"? If it’s "Buffalo NHL players," the answer is likely SABRES.
- Look for "Goalie" vs "Center." Crosswords love specific positions. If it says "Buffalo netminder," write in HASEK or MILLER immediately.
- Vowel check. NHL names like AUBE-KUBEL or UKKO-PEKKA (Luukkonen) are starting to appear in modern, "hip" puzzles because their letter counts are wild. If you see a lot of U's and K's, you're dealing with a modern roster.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Puzzle
If you find yourself staring at a "Buffalo NHL player" clue again, do this:
- Check the date of the puzzle. If it's an old archive puzzle from 2018, the answer is almost certainly EICHEL. If it’s a brand-new 2026 puzzle, keep DAHLIN or TUCH in mind.
- Search for "The Dominator." If that phrase is in the clue, it is HASEK. Period.
- Don't forget the 'S'. Many people forget that the team is the SABRES (plural) but the clue might be asking for a single player, which is a SABRE.
The Buffalo Sabres might have the longest playoff drought in sports history (sad, but true), but they are absolute champions of the crossword world. Their names are just too useful for constructors to ignore. Next time you see those five boxes, try SABRE first, but keep HASEK on standby.