 Former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager and head coach Punch Imlach was hired in the same capacity with the Sabres.The year the Sabres debuted (1970) was an important year for major league sports in Buffalo.In addition to the Sabres' debut, the Buffalo Bills officially joined the National Football League, and the National Basketball Association's Buffalo Braves also began to play, sharing Memorial Auditorium with the Sabres.