Dominik Hašek was drafted 207th overall in the 1983 Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. Seven years later, he made his NHL debut on November 6 in a 1-1 tie with the Whalers. He played five games that season at the NHL level and recorded his first win on March 8 against the Sabres. In 1991-92, Dominik played 20 games behind goaltending partner Ed Belfour and made the NHL's All-Rookie Team. In the playoffs, he helped the Blackhawks win the Clarence Campbell Bowl and advance to the Stanley Cup finals.
On August 7, 1992, Dominik was traded to the Buffalo Sabres for Stéphane Beauregard and a fourth-round draft pick. In his first season with his new team, Dominik and goaltending partner Grant Fuhr helped the Sabres make the second round of the playoffs for the first time in ten years. In 1993-94, Dominik took over as the Sabres number one goalie and led the league with seven shutouts, a 1.95 goals-against average and a 93.0 save percentage. He was a First Team All-Star, won his first Vézina Trophy and his first Jennings Trophy (shared with Fuhr). He also won Player of the Week (December 13) and Player of the Month (December) honours during the season. In the shortened 1994-95 season, Dominik again led the league in shutouts (five), GAA (2.11) and save percentage (93.0). He was a First Team All-Star, won his second Vézina Trophy and was the second runner-up to both the Hart and Jennings trophies. In 1995-96, Dominik paced the league with a 92.0 save percentage and participated in his first mid-season All-Star Game.
After missing the playoffs in 1995-96, Dominik led the Sabres to a 19-point improvement and a Northeast Division season title. In January he participated in his second All-Star Game (20 saves on 21 shots) and in February he won his second Player of the Week honour (February 3). At season's end, he won his third Vézina Trophy, first Hart Trophy and first Pearson Award. He also led the league with a 93.0 save percentage and recorded a career high 37 wins.
In 1997-98, Dominik won his second consecutive Hart Trophy, Pearson Award and Vézina Trophy. He also was the second runner-up to the Jennings Trophy and won two Player of the Month honours (December and February) and one Player of the Week honour (December 8). He paced the league and set team records with 72 games played by a goaltender, 4,220 minutes, 13 shutouts and a 93.2 save percentage. He also played in his third-straight mid-season All-Star Game and was named a First Team All-Star at year's end.
In 1998-99, Dominik won his sixth straight save percentage title with a team record 93.7. During the season, he played in his fourth straight All-Star Game, won three Player of the Week honours and won one Player of the Month honour. At year's end, he had 30 wins, nine shutouts and a 1.87 GAA. He was named a First Team All-Star, won his fifth Vézina Trophy, was first runner-up to the Jennings Trophy and second runner-up to the Hart Trophy. In the playoffs, Dominik led the Sabres to a Prince of Wales Trophy championship before bowing out to the Stars in the Stanley Cup finals. He posted a 13-6 record with a 1.77 GAA and two shutouts. At year's end, he was ranked the third best player by The Hockey News in their Top-50 NHL players list.
In 1999-2000, Dominik missed forty games (including the mid-season All-Star Game) with a groin injury but still managed to post a 15-11-6 mark in 35 games. He recorded three shutouts and posted a 91.889 save percentage (third in the league, Belfour won at 91.916). In 2000-01, Dominik won his second Jennings Trophy and led the Sabres to its highest win total (46) in 17 years. His 11 shutouts paced the league while his 37 wins ranked tied for third and both his 2.11 GAA and 92.1 save percentage ranked fourth. At the mid-season All-Star Game in Colorado, Dominik was the World All-Stars' starting goaltender. At the year-end Awards Banquet, Dominik won the Vézina Trophy and was named a First Team All-Star.
On June 30, 2001, Dominik was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for Vyacheslav Kozlov, a first-round draft pick and future considerations.
