 In hopes of averting the lean years that troubled most expansion teams , George Imlach , the Sabres first coach and General Manager , attempted to build a high @-@ scoring club to excite the local hockey fans . Perreault was regarded as a smooth skater and tremendous stickhandler . Perreault was chosen to be the franchise player around which a team could be built and succeed . Although Martin and Perreault had played two years together with the Montreal Junior Canadiens ( Perreault even lived with Martin 's family during the 1969 – 70 season ) , they had never played on the same line before being paired in Buffalo . Since Martin was one of the few who could keep up with Perreault as a skater they were paired together after the Sabres drafted Martin . It was very clear during the 1971 – 72 season that Perreault and Martin were a natural pairing . Sabres coach Joe Crozier felt the two just needed a third player who would stay high and check . Sabres coach quickly teamed Robert with Perreault and Martin after the trade . The two players complemented Perreault and became a dynamic combination that dazzled fans . They were dubbed the French Connection by writer Lee Coppola as a reference to the Academy Award @-@ winning film and their heritage via the Buffalo Auditorium message board . The pair played together as a regular line through the 1974 – 75 season . At times , they were split up during the last four seasons . When they played together they often faced the opposition 's top defensive lineups . Since the trio were tremendous skating scoring threats these opponents would concentrate on checking them and staying on top of them . For example , against the Montreal Canadiens Bob Gainey 's line would oppose them . Rick Martin once said about this line " I had Jimmy Roberts between me and my shadow . " 
