If you walked into Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in the mid-70s, you didn't just hear the crowd; you felt the vibration of a city that had finally found its soul on ice. At the center of that energy was a man who didn't just play hockey—he attacked it. Rick Martin was the "Marksman." He was the fuse that lit the most iconic line in the history of the Buffalo Sabres.
Some players are stats. Some are legends. Rick Martin was both, and honestly, the way his career ended is still a bit of a sore spot for the die-hards in Western New York.
The Birth of the French Connection
You can't talk about Rick Martin Buffalo Sabres history without mentioning the "French Connection." It’s basically law in Buffalo. After the Sabres grabbed Gilbert Perreault in 1970, they used the fifth overall pick in 1971 to snag Martin.
It was a masterstroke.
The team eventually added Rene Robert, and just like that, the most balanced line in hockey was born. Perreault was the magician with the puck. Robert was the hard-working speedster. But Martin? Martin was the guy who finished the job. He had this terrifying slapshot that allegedly cracked the ribs of goaltender Gilles Meloche. People in Buffalo still tell stories about his "howitzer" ripping through the back of the net so fast the goal judge didn't even blink.
Breaking Records from Day One
Most rookies hope to just stay in the lineup. Rick Martin? He showed up and broke Perreault’s rookie scoring record immediately. He put up 44 goals in 1971-72, which was an NHL record for a rookie at the time.
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Think about that.
He didn't just lead the team; he beat out established Hall of Famers like Stan Mikita and Johnny Bucyk in the scoring race during his first year on the job. He was a pure, unadulterated scoring machine who lived and died for the red light behind the net.
The Peak: 50-Goal Seasons and Stanley Cup Dreams
The 1974-75 season was the mountaintop. The Sabres reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time, facing the "Broad Street Bullies" of Philadelphia. Martin was at his absolute zenith. He put up back-to-back 52-goal seasons in ’74 and ’75.
He almost had a third straight 50-goal year, too. He went into the final game of the 1975-76 season with 49 goals. He was held scoreless that night. It’s one of those "what if" moments that fans still debate at the bars on Abbott Road. Even without that fiftieth goal, his dominance was undeniable. He was a First-Team All-Star twice and played in seven straight All-Star games.
The chemistry of the French Connection wasn't just about talent; it was about intuition. They were all French-Canadians from Quebec, and they played with a psychic connection that made defenders look like they were skating in sand.
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The Injury That Changed Everything
Hockey is a brutal business. For Rick Martin, the end didn't come because he lost his touch; it came because of a collision that shouldn't have been a career-ender. On November 8, 1980, Martin collided with Washington Capitals goalie Mike Palmateer.
His knee was shredded.
What followed was a mess of medical disagreements. Martin later claimed he was misdiagnosed and pressured to return too early by the legendary Scotty Bowman. He was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1981, but he only managed four games in California before his body gave out. He was done before his 31st birthday.
It’s a tragedy of the "Golden Era." If Martin had modern sports medicine, he probably would have cleared 500 goals easily. Instead, he finished with 384 goals in just 685 games.
Wait, look at that ratio. His 0.561 goals-per-game average is still one of the highest in NHL history. He’s ahead of guys like Phil Esposito and Guy Lafleur. That’s the real Rick Martin legacy—pure, efficient lethality.
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Life After the Blue and Gold
Unlike a lot of players who head home to Canada after retirement, Martin stayed in Buffalo. He became a fixture of the community. He was the guy you’d see at the rink or a charity event, always willing to talk about the "good old days" at the Aud.
When he passed away in 2011 from a heart attack at age 59, the city went into mourning. It wasn't just a sports hero dying; it felt like a member of the family was gone.
CTE and the Hard Truths
Years after his death, a post-mortem examination revealed that Martin had Stage 2 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). He was the first NHL "star" (non-enforcer) to be diagnosed with it. It sparked a massive conversation about player safety and the long-term cost of the game he loved. It’s a sobering layer to his story that reminds us these legends aren't just names on a jersey—they’re humans who paid a price for our entertainment.
Why We Still Care About Number 7
Walk outside the KeyBank Center today and you'll see them: three bronze statues of Perreault, Martin, and Robert. The French Connection is frozen in time.
Rick Martin Buffalo Sabres fans will always remember him for the fire in his eyes when he hit the blue line. He was the "Marksman" because he didn't miss. He didn't just shoot to score; he shot to win.
If you want to truly appreciate his impact, take these next steps:
- Watch the highlights: Go find the grainy 1970s footage of Martin’s slapshot. Note the lack of a curve on the blade and the sheer velocity he generated with a wooden stick.
- Visit the Statue: If you're in Buffalo, spend five minutes at the French Connection statue. It’s a testament to a time when the Sabres were the center of the hockey universe.
- Check the Stats: Look at the NHL's all-time goals-per-game leaders. You’ll find Martin’s name among the greatest to ever lace them up, proving he wasn't just a "line-mate"—he was a superstar in his own right.