I enjoy being in the minority us fans that dont put Vanek on the pedastal. Has the ability to truly be a great player, but he has a poor work ethic and a lousy attitude. His half-season performances are the reason we're rebuilding. Its laughable that there are people who actually want him to be our captain.
- theblueandgold

This. He's never been a leader. Period

For games at a time. Not saying Moulsen is better but in the last two years...

Moulson-51 goals
Vanek-46
- sbroads24

If you bring it to this level
Moulson 129 games
Vanek 116 games
Plus there is the Tavares factor.

If you bring it to this level
Moulson 129 games
Vanek 116 games
Plus there is the Tavares factor.
- Dwight K. Schrute

People don't get brownie points for missing games. All that shows is Moulsen is more durable. Again Vanek is better no doubt but Moulsen and a 1st isn't a horrible deal. The isles could flop next year. Nabby is old, heaven forbid JT or Hamonic get hurt long term they could be in trouble

People don't get brownie points for missing games. All that shows is Moulsen is more durable. Again Vanek is better no doubt but Moulsen and a 1st isn't a horrible deal. The isles could flop next year. Nabby is old, heaven forbid JT or Hamonic get hurt long term they could be in trouble
- sbroads24

The point still remains that Vanek will have more value at the deadline.

not trolling, just curious. Is there any news on hodgson being resigned? Is he going to arbitration?

The point still remains that Vanek will have more value at the deadline.
- Dwight K. Schrute

A 30 goal scorer and a 1st will be available at the deadline for Vanek?

A 30 goal scorer and a 1st will be available at the deadline for Vanek?
- sbroads24

More picks and a better prospect who will not be a UFA after the season will be.

not trolling, just curious. Is there any news on hodgson being resigned? Is he going to arbitration?
- vancity787

I haven't heard arbitration. Not sure on what the offers were.

More picks and a better prospect who will not be a UFA after the season will be.
- Dwight K. Schrute

Why couldn't we resign Moulsen? Point remains we have no clue what Vanek will get at the deadline. Or if he will be healthy. Which is a risk to begin with

Why couldn't we resign Moulsen? Point remains we have no clue what Vanek will get at the deadline. Or if he will be healthy. Which is a risk to begin with
- sbroads24

Probably for the same reason we might not resign Vanek. At this point in Moulson's career he may want to go to a winner. Vanek may very well get hurt but you can't build a winner by hitting the panic button on deals. Risk really comes down to losing a mid to late 1st rounder.

I haven't heard arbitration. Not sure on what the offers were.
- Dwight K. Schrute

Sounds familiar. Do u know what kind of money hes looking for?

Sounds familiar. Do u know what kind of money hes looking for?
- vancity787

I heard 4.5 but again, that is the rumor that I've heard. Plus I heard the Sabres are at 3.5 or so.

Probably for the same reason we might not resign Vanek. At this point in Moulson's career he may want to go to a winner. Vanek may very well get hurt but you can't build a winner by hitting the panic button on deals. Risk really comes down to losing a mid to late 1st rounder.
- Dwight K. Schrute

Patience will also bite you in the ass. When you decide your moving on from a player you don't let them play another game for you.

Probably for the same reason we might not resign Vanek. At this point in Moulson's career he may want to go to a winner. Vanek may very well get hurt but you can't build a winner by hitting the panic button on deals. Risk really comes down to losing a mid to late 1st rounder.
- Dwight K. Schrute

Also if Mouslon doesn't want to resign then you trade him at the deadline. If he has anywhere near 20 goals he gets you a first. Your then essentially getting 2 1sts for Vanek, if not more. No point in holding onto him if that deal is available

Also if Mouslon doesn't want to resign then you trade him at the deadline. If he has anywhere near 20 goals he gets you a first. Your then essentially getting 2 1sts for Vanek, if not more. No point in holding onto him if that deal is available
- sbroads24

What if Moulson then gets hurt? I also don't think we have waited too long in moving Vanek. He gives us a better chance than Moulson of winning. He doesn't want to stay for a long rebuild, which is his right, but, if healthy, he will have better value near the deadline. As it stand right now, Vanek is the top rental player at next years deadline.

What if Moulson then gets hurt? I also don't think we have waited too long in moving Vanek. He gives us a better chance than Moulson of winning. He doesn't want to stay for a long rebuild, which is his right, but, if healthy, he will have better value near the deadline. As it stand right now, Vanek is the top rental player at next years deadline.
- Dwight K. Schrute

Then we end up with just a 1st round pick for Vanek instead of possibly losing him for nothing. How about this scenario, Sabres surprise us next season, are in the playoff hunt and Vanek is our best player. Do you really think Darcy moves him then? How great would that be if we had another 1st round knockout plus lose Vanek for nothing. Darcy is trying to keep his job every season, he will not do what's best for this team long term if we are making a push. Best option IMO is to move him now and not make it possible for this situation to get difficult later

The point still remains that Vanek will have more value at the deadline.
- Dwight K. Schrute

What value does he have if he is injured? You shouldn't be willing to risk that.

Then we end up with just a 1st round pick for Vanek instead of possibly losing him for nothing. How about this scenario, Sabres surprise us next season, are in the playoff hunt and Vanek is our best player. Do you really think Darcy moves him then? How great would that be if we had another 1st round knockout plus lose Vanek for nothing. Darcy is trying to keep his job every season, he will not do what's best for this team long term if we are making a push. Best option IMO is to move him now and not make it possible for this situation to get difficult later
- sbroads24

If you aren't planning to or can't get the player to re-sign you have to trade him in the off season. It's way too risky to let him play. Take what you can get even if it's less than he is worth. He cannot be allowed to leave for nothing for any reason.

What value does he have if he is injured? You shouldn't be willing to risk that.
- Pierceme69

I am willing to risk that. People might disagree but this team is better with Vanek. I do not want the Sabres to tank a year because I can't accept our young players learning how to lose. I think if we are in the playoff hunt, and I mean anywhere 5-7, having Vanek and risking the loss is worth it. Playoff experience for young players means alot. Plus, if we are doing better, we might go into a buyer mode and Vanek will decide to resign here. It's all a bunch of what-ifs though.

If you aren't planning to or can't get the player to re-sign you have to trade him in the off season. It's way too risky to let him play. Take what you can get even if it's less than he is worth. He cannot be allowed to leave for nothing for any reason.
- Pierceme69

Agreed. I could care less if waiting until the deadline gets you an extra B+ prospect or an extra 2nd round pick. If the Isles are offering Moulson and a 1st, I would either try to squeeze a prospect like De Haan or Nelson maybe give them one of our 3 2nds next year or just take it.

Then we end up with just a 1st round pick for Vanek instead of possibly losing him for nothing. How about this scenario, Sabres surprise us next season, are in the playoff hunt and Vanek is our best player. Do you really think Darcy moves him then? How great would that be if we had another 1st round knockout plus lose Vanek for nothing. Darcy is trying to keep his job every season, he will not do what's best for this team long term if we are making a push. Best option IMO is to move him now and not make it possible for this situation to get difficult later
- sbroads24

We got a 1st rounder for Gaustad. Vanek is worth way more. If we are rebuilding, a 29-30 winger (Moulson) is not what we want. Plus, just getting 1 1st rounder is a fleecing for Vanek.

I am willing to risk that. People might disagree but this team is better with Vanek. I do not want the Sabres to tank a year because I can't accept our young players learning how to lose. I think if we are in the playoff hunt, and I mean anywhere 5-7, having Vanek and risking the loss is worth it. Playoff experience for young players means alot. Plus, if we are doing better, we might go into a buyer mode and Vanek will decide to resign here. It's all a bunch of what-ifs though.
- Dwight K. Schrute

Which again would be awful considering we are rebuilding and have been complaining about our heroic runs to 9th. If we become buyers that makes the Pominville trade an instant mistake. Vanek isn't and shouldn't be resigned. He plays at a high level for 40 games a year and gets paid like an elite center.

We got a 1st rounder for Gaustad. Vanek is worth way more. If we are rebuilding, a 29-30 winger (Moulson) is not what we want. Plus, just getting 1 1st rounder is a fleecing for Vanek.
- Dwight K. Schrute

Not much more. Your over rating a rental player. No one is giving up multiple 1sts or 1sts and A+ prospects for Vanek for 2 months.

Not much more. Your over rating a rental player. No one is giving up multiple 1sts or 1sts and A+ prospects for Vanek for 2 months.
- OneKaneOneCup

So, just give him away?

So, just give him away?
- Dwight K. Schrute

Come on. Moulson has outscored Vanek 82 to 78 in the last 3 seasons plus adding a 1st. Like I said if Moulson doesn't resign trade him at the deadline then and get at the very least a 2nd and a prospect. You are just over rating Vanek at this point.