Who is your source in the sabres front office. What is his/her position?
- Cheeseballin

you really think I'm gonna reveal that?

I also have a very good source in the Kings organization who confirmed no truth to Regehr for Toffoli.

If they were making the same salary, or were within half a million per year, it would be no contest that Vanek is the better player.

I think Vanek would help make Malkin even more productive, and I don't think you can make the same statement about Neal regarding Malkin.
- kingcong39

But they aren't. 5M/year is fine by me for a sniper to play with Malkin. It's obvious that Vanek will never reach his true ceiling now that he is getting older. Lots of wasted years with Roy.

As far as making Malkin better; Pens pay him 8.7M/year to make others better. He does that. Only so much coin to throw around.

you really think I'm gonna reveal that?

I also have a very good source in the Kings organization who confirmed no truth to Regehr for Toffoli.
- Homer

Just the position they hold not any names. I'm just curious

But they aren't. 5M/year is fine by me for a sniper to play with Malkin. It's obvious that Vanek will never reach his true ceiling now that he is getting older. Lots of wasted years with Roy.
- Gunner Staal

I know. My overall point is that Vanek gets a lot of crap due to his giant salary, and some of that is justified, but he is a very good player.

He and Malkin would be a scary combo on the ice.

and we should trust your word? Sounds hypocritical no?
- Sabresfan-365

Just base it on the past history of that so called twitter account. It is always BS

But they aren't. 5M/year is fine by me for a sniper to play with Malkin. It's obvious that Vanek will never reach his true ceiling now that he is getting older. Lots of wasted years with Roy.
- Gunner Staal

Vanek had his best goal scoring season with Roy. 40 goals in 73 games.

umm, yes. Think Ive proven myself enough on here over the years.
- Homer

Vanek had his best goal scoring season with Roy. 40 goals in 73 games.
- theblueandgold

That was when the game was much more free flowing, fast paced, and less defensive, and on top of that they were the third line facing other teams 5/6 or 3/4 D pairings the majority of the time.

I know. My overall point is that Vanek gets a lot of crap due to his giant salary, and some of that is justified, but he is a very good player.

He and Malkin would be a scary combo on the ice.
- kingcong39

I like Vanek as a player, have always hated his contract. However Vanek doesn't deserve the crap about his contract. Regier deserves to be on the wrong end of that criticism.

Just the position they hold not any names. I'm just curious
- Cheeseballin

Why would he tell us that? If I had a reliable source I wouldn't give it away!

That was when the game was much more free flowing, fast paced, and less defensive, and on top of that they were the third line facing other teams 5/6 or 3/4 D pairings the majority of the time.
- kingcong39

I dont think your excuses could be any more incorrect.

I like Vanek as a player, have always hated his contract. However Vanek doesn't deserve the crap about his contract. Regier deserves to be on the wrong end of that criticism.
- Gunner Staal

It'll be VERY interesting to see what kind of contract he is offered after this one expires next year.

I dont think your excuses could be any more incorrect.


- theblueandgold

They are not excuses. They are facts sir.

Vanek had his best goal scoring season with Roy. 40 goals in 73 games.
- theblueandgold

That's irrelevant. I think his goal totals could/should have been higher.

I know. My overall point is that Vanek gets a lot of crap due to his giant salary, and some of that is justified, but he is a very good player.

He and Malkin would be a scary combo on the ice.
- kingcong39

Not because of his salary, at least not all of it, my criticism is that he is supposed to be our best player and only is for a handful of games at a time, watch Crosby or Malkin or even Rick Nash , on most nights they are the best player on the ice, even if they aren't scoring, that's not always the case with vanek

It'll be VERY interesting to see what kind of contract he is offered after this one expires next year.
- kingcong39

Depends on where he is playing and what situation team is in. I could see bottom feeders giving him 5 years 35M.

They are not excuses. They are facts sir.
- kingcong39

The season I'm talking of was 2008-2009. Oh, you know, just 2 years after Drury and Briere left the team.

Not because of his salary, at least not all of it, my criticism is that he is supposed to be our best player and only is for a handful of games at a time, watch Crosby or Malkin or even Rick Nash , on most nights they are the best player on the ice, even if they aren't scoring, that's not always the case with vanek
- sbroads24

Vanek is not the kind of player who is going to carry the puck and push the play like the guys you mentioned. Vanek has incredible skill and a knack for finding soft spots in tight areas.

That's irrelevant. I think his goal totals could/should have been higher.
- Gunner Staal

Why is that irrelevant? He had 36 goals the year prior when Roy had his best season statistically.

Vanek's problem has never been who his center is, its been his overall style of play. He either takes too many games off, or comes into the season completely out of shape. His disappearing acts have nothing to do with who his center is.

The season I'm talking of was 2008-2009. Oh, you know, just 2 years after Drury and Briere left the team.
- theblueandgold

BS way of saying it was his best goal scoring season because he scored more per game as he played less then the full schedule.

This was his best season, and there is no doubt about that.

2006-07 BUF 82 43 41 84

Vanek is not the kind of player who is going to carry the puck and push the play like the guys you mentioned. Vanek has incredible skill and a knack for finding soft spots in tight areas.
- Gunner Staal

Agreed, but vanek will go on long droughts where he loses his creativity and ability to finish, also has trouble playing with nagging injuries, my point is that if we are going to be a contender, Vanek can't be our best player IMO

BS way of saying it was his best goal scoring season because he scored more per game as he played less then the full schedule.

This was his best season, and there is no doubt about that.

2006-07 BUF 82 43 41 84
- kingcong39

Why is that a BS way of putting it? I didnt say his best overall season that was inflated because he was playing weak competition. I said best goal scoring season. We were talking about Vanek as a goal scorer and his center having an effect on that.

He scored 40 goals in 73 games = 0.54 goals per game. Its the highest in his career. He also put up 20 PPG and 2 SHG, best totals of his career.

These are the FACTS.

really? Neal is thta much better than Vanek in your opinon??
- Homer

Younger guy, brings a much more physical game, also a great shot... That trade won't ever happen, but I'd love him on this team.

Agreed, but vanek will go on long droughts where he loses his creativity and ability to finish, also has trouble playing with nagging injuries, my point is that if we are going to be a contender, Vanek can't be our best player IMO
- sbroads24

I agree with that.
He takes too much of a beating to be reliable every game.
I think that's a huge part of why he goes into droughts.

The Sabres need a guy like Ryan Callahan to be their leading player.

Younger guy, brings a much more physical game, also a great shot... That trade won't ever happen, but I'd love him on this team.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

You wouldn't like it so much when he didn't produce nearly as well as he did while in Pitt. due to who his center is there.