[blueandwhite]

from nhl.com:
The Sabres still stunned at the loss of co-captains drury and Briere to free agency, made sure Friday that high-scoring youngster Thomas vanek would not also be getting away. The Sabres matched the Oilers' even-year, $50 million offer to the second-year player Friday, announcing their move at a news conference shortly after Vanek's agent went public with news of the Oilers' offer sheet.
Buffalo general manager Darcy Regier said the Sabres were unhappy with the Oilers' approach, especially since the Sabres had warned Edmonton officials not to make the offer.
"It was always going to be a match situation, and they were well aware of it last night that we were going to match," Regier said. "I suppose you have to assume they thought we were bluffing. ... What this amounted to was an exercise in futility."
And an expensive one at that.

So Vanek doesn't go anywhere? Buffalo keeps some talent in Buffalo.

[Kasey Kahne 9 fan]

WAY overpayed

[blueandwhite]

He's good, but I think they were thinking, We've got to hang onto to one of them.
Mind you, i wouldn't have minded hearing he was a Leaf.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

[quote=blueandwhite;146392]He's good, but I think they were thinking, We've got to hang onto to one of them.
Mind you, i wouldn't have minded hearing he was a Leaf.[/quote]


Yes but for $50 million?...I think your Leafs would pass as well....

[blueandwhite]

Yeah - cause we couldn't afford him.

[Kasey Kahne 9 fan]

Buffalo should have overpayed Drury or Briere not Vanek they need leadership alone with talent. Vanek isn't a leader at least not yet.

[greenbay86]

but maybe in a few seasons