Editing Maxim Afinogenov (section)

===Buffalo Sabres===
Afinogenov was a forward for [[HC Dynamo Moscow|Dynamo Moscow]] of the [[Russian Superleague]] (RSL) for four seasons. He was drafted 69th overall by the [[Buffalo Sabres]] in the [[1997 NHL Entry Draft]] and played his rookie NHL season in [[1999–2000 NHL season|1999–2000]], scoring 34 points in 65 games, while also playing in 15 games with the Sabres' [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) affiliate, the [[Rochester Americans]]. Following his third season with the Sabres, a 21-goal, 40-point campaign in [[2001–02 NHL season|2001–02]], Afinogenov re-signed with a two-year, $2.4&nbsp;million contract on September 4, 2002.<ref name=vault>{{Cite magazine|title=25 – Buffalo Sabres|url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1105768/index.htm|access-date=2009-04-01|date=2005-10-03|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|archive-date=January 2, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102071134/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1105768/index.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, that same day, while playing a pickup game in Moscow, he took a puck to the head, suffering a [[concussion]].<ref name=vault/> He was limited to just 35 games in the subsequent season, managing just 11 points. The next season, in [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04]], he recorded his first career [[hat-trick]] on December 31, 2003, at [[HSBC Arena (Buffalo)|HSBC Arena]] in a 7–1 win against the [[Washington Capitals]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Rare double hat trick pace Sabres|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/rare-double-hat-tricks-pace-sabres-1.411256|access-date=2009-04-01|date=2004-01-01|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]}}</ref> He finished the season bouncing back from his previous concussion-riddled season with 17 goals and 31 points.

[[Image:Maxim Afinogenov.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Afinogenov during a game in 2006.]]
After spending the 2004–05 season back in Russia with Dynamo Moscow due to the [[2004–05 NHL lockout|NHL lockout]], Afinogenov recorded his best season to date when NHL play resumed in [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]] with personal bests of 51 assists and 73 points. As the Sabres embarked on a playoff run to the Conference Finals, where they were defeated in seven games by the eventual [[Stanley Cup]] champion [[Carolina Hurricanes]]. Afinogenov added eight points in 18 post-season games. He continued his scoring pace the following season in [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07]] and, despite missing 26 games, scored 61 points and a career-high 23 goals. During the season, Sabres backup goalie [[Martin Biron]] was traded to the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] at the trade deadline in February 2007, making Afinogenov the longest-serving Sabre on the roster. His production tailed off in [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08]], however, managing just 28 points in the same number of games as the previous season.