Archives for July 8, 2007

'Vanek, who made $942,000 last year, receives $10 million for the upcoming season, including a $5 million signing bonus. The Austrian gets a $5 million salary in 2008-09 and a $3 million bonus. Each of the final five years pay him $6.4 million. The Sabres said they couldn't sign Vanek earlier because he refused to negotiate as he shopped himself throughout the … [Read more...] about Vanek remains a Sabre

'Maybe, just maybe, the Sabres will win the Cup next year. Probably not. But chances are better that they’d have won it in five years with four additional first-rounders in their system. Now, we’ll never know.' … [Read more...] about Sabres motto: Safe, safe, safe; all in

'One columnist said Briere "missed his date with history" and refused to become a "hero to a people." "The pride of playing for your gang, for folks who speak the same language as you didn't sway the balance," sports columnist Stephane Laporte wrote in his blog for the daily La Presse. "Are there any more great Quebec players who … [Read more...] about NHLer blasted for 'refusing to be a hero'

'According to Brisson, the Sabres never called his office at any point during the season. In fact, he hadn’t heard from them since last summer, the day before Briere was awarded a one-year contract worth $5 million. Brisson at the time was pressing the Sabres to sign Briere to a five-year deal worth $25 million, which the Sabres rejected.' … [Read more...] about Briere&#8217s agent disputes Sabres&#8217 version of negotiations

'“It’s been a tough week,” Ruff said. “We lost two good players and two very good quality people. We’ve been able to get through tough times, and we’re going to have to get through tough times again.”' … [Read more...] about Ruff says Sabres must move on

'“It’s not really up to me as much as a lot of people think it is,” said Butler, who will be a junior at the University of Denver. “Whatever they want to do with me, if they want me to turn pro, it’ll be something I’ll consider. If not then I have no problem going back to school. Denver is a great time. But obviously my ultimate goal is to be … [Read more...] about Future Sabres hard at work

'I know we’re all supposed to buy the theory that Buffalo’s management is wholly to blame for the departure of the two stars, but I find it difficult to believe that the players’ agents weren’t aware that there would be several pots of gold being stirred by rich and desperate franchises at the end of the season.' … [Read more...] about NHL turning back clock on salaries