Archives for July 2007

'Drury and Briere might have been the "heart and soul" of the Sabres the past two seasons, but Vanek and Miller are the future.' … [Read more...] about Sabres savvy on Vanek; now for Miller

'"The irony of all this is that it's Edmonton preying on Buffalo," said Sabres general manager Darcy Regier of Friday's happenings. "It's not the New York Rangers or Philadelphia. It's two clubs that are challenged to sign unrestricted free agent players."' … [Read more...] about Attempt at Vanek rattles Sabres

'Kevin Lowe, in a desperate attempt to make his hockey team better, managed to make everything even worse.' … [Read more...] about Bold move from Lowe

'"It's rather juvenile on their part," Lowe said of the Sabres' reaction. "I could have behaved that way with Washington. Fellas, it's a business. Take the personal out of it. It was right for the Edmonton Oilers. Obviously, it was right for them. ... This wasn't a publicity stunt by any stretch."' … [Read more...] about Edmonton’s failed bid for Vanek highlights perception problem

'Bartlett said that general managers' past reluctance to sign unrestricted players, for fear of driving up salaries, has lessened under the new CBA, which installed a salary cap. "Now a player can move from team to team, but you don't drive up the total salary pool," he said.' … [Read more...] about Oilers stymied again

'In two seasons with the Sabres, Vanek has 68 goals and 64 assists in 163 career games. He has also recorded eight goals and four assists in 26 career playoff games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres' match Oilers offer to Vanek

'Vanek, who made $942,000 last season, finished fifth in the NHL in 2006-07 with 43 goals and 19th with 84 points while posting a league-best plus-47 rating. The fifth overall selection in the 2003 draft was in his second season with the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Oilers try to land LW Vanek, Sabres reel him back

'The Sabres stated in a press conference that they would not only match the offer, which means the restricted free agent will remain in Buffalo for the next seven years, but that they would not hesitate to employ the same move with the Oilers at some point in time.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo to match Oilers $50-million offer to Vanek

'"This is a deal that will send ripples through the marketplace," Steve Bartlett said. "I just feel this is the logical byproduct of a cap system. There is no reason why these players shouldn't receive offers."' … [Read more...] about Oilers' offer to Vanek sends shockwaves

'Quinn said often during the press conference that the Sabres were prepared for this scenario. Regier said, "The reality is that the marketplace dictates the value and that the agent knew the best place was to go shopping for a contact. You can't blame the agent. It is was he was supposed to be doing. We fully forwarned Edmonton what we would do."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Match Oilers' Offer To Thomas Vanek

'The Oilers would have owed Buffalo four first-round draft picks if they signed Vanek.' … [Read more...] about Sabres match Oilers’ offer to Vanek

'The deal will pay Vanek $5 million in the first two seasons, and $6.4 million in each of the following five seasons. The contract will also pay him a $5 million and $3 million signing bonus in the first two years.' … [Read more...] about Oilers sign Vanek to offer, Sabres match

'Ryan apparently figures into the Sabres’ plans. The player acquired four years ago for captain Stu Barnes split time last season between Buffalo and Rochester in the AHL. He had three goals and two assists in 19 games with the Sabres and 28 goals and 23 assists in 50 games for the Americans. “Michael is a young player who is ready to play full-time at this … [Read more...] about Sabres sign veteran goalie Jocelyn Thibault

'But the Sabres left Drury hanging for two weeks, and it cost them. They choked. They let the Sabres’ competitive soul get away. There’s plenty of blame to go around, but it will go down as Quinn’s failure. Anyone who has done business with Quinn knows he can be a bully. This was one time where the Sabres needed a bully to get the deal done. Now, they … [Read more...] about Lay blame at the feet of Quinn

'Andrew Peters was also eligible for arbitration but both sides agreed to a two-year deal earlier today. The Sabres also re-signed forward Michael Ryan to a one-year deal.Buffalo wasn't done making moves today as the team also picked up a back-up goaltender for Ryan Miller with the signing of unrestricted free agent Jocelyn Thibault to a one-year deal.' … [Read more...] about Roy, Paetsch file for arbitration as Sabres sign three