Which is about where they will be drafting next year IMO. They need 2 top 4 D a true starting goalie (Hiller isn't gonna cut it either). Plus they are keeping their coach which most Islanders fans have been saying they are a coach and a goalie away from being a playoff team. Kinda funny how they have disappeared from here after that it was announced he was staying.
- Stripes77

They prolly all just jumped off a bridge somewhere.

Yeah. I'm not going to fault Snow for the Vanek trade. In all reality, moving Moulson to get Vanek didn't do much because offensively, they bring pretty close to the same thing. Vanek has a bit more talent, but Moulson makes up for that with how much harder he's willing to work.

Snow really made the trade to send a message to the rest of the team and it seemed to have the opposite effect. They ended up basically falling asleep, and that was after already having a pretty sleepy start to the season. The trade made sense at the time, it just didn't work out the way many people thought would, including Snow.
- HonkFortheGoose

The trade itself wouldn't have been bad if Vanek resigned there, or if the rest of the team around him and JT were better. But the fact he made the trade out of desperation is the big fault of Snow. As a Sabre fan thank god!

The trade itself wouldn't have been bad if Vanek resigned there, or if the rest of the team around him and JT were better. But the fact he made the trade out of desperation is the big fault of Snow. As a Sabre fan thank god!
- Stripes77

I think everyone in WNY knew Vanek wasn't gonna sign on the island. Based on what he did to us last contract. "i'm gonna wait and see what free agency has in store"

I think everyone in WNY knew Vanek wasn't gonna sign on the island. Based on what he did to us last contract. "i'm gonna wait and see what free agency has in store"
- cabin

Yup. That exactly how Vanek works. He has no loyalty and is only in it for himself. And to be honest, I'm glad he's gone. I don't want guys with that kind of attitude on my team.

Yup. That exactly how Vanek works. He has no loyalty and is only in it for himself. And to be honest, I'm glad he's gone. I don't want guys with that kind of attitude on my team.
- HonkFortheGoose

I will say this, though. It's amazing how an "attitude" like that can change when you have competent folks running your organization. We all like to crap on Vanek for "not being a team player", and perhaps much of it is justified, but I can't think of anyone here that wouldn't get the hell out of dodge if they absolutely couldn't stand their working environment either. If things were as miserable as it sounded (remember, Vanek was traded before LaFontaine/Nolan/Murray came into the fold), I can't say I wouldn't be tempted to test free agency if I were in his position either. In a perfect world, the business aspect and the game aspect would be completely separate, but we don't live in a perfect world.

I will say this, though. It's amazing how an "attitude" like that can change when you have competent folks running your organization. We all like to crap on Vanek for "not being a team player", and perhaps much of it is justified, but I can't think of anyone here that wouldn't get the hell out of dodge if they absolutely couldn't stand their working environment either. If things were as miserable as it sounded (remember, Vanek was traded before LaFontaine/Nolan/Murray came into the fold), I can't say I wouldn't be tempted to test free agency if I were in his position either. In a perfect world, the business aspect and the game aspect would be completely separate, but we don't live in a perfect world.
- buffalofan19

After the Olympics, it's all justified IMO.

He's a good player with all world talent that shows up 50% of the time.

I will say this, though. It's amazing how an "attitude" like that can change when you have competent folks running your organization. We all like to crap on Vanek for "not being a team player", and perhaps much of it is justified, but I can't think of anyone here that wouldn't get the hell out of dodge if they absolutely couldn't stand their working environment either. If things were as miserable as it sounded (remember, Vanek was traded before LaFontaine/Nolan/Murray came into the fold), I can't say I wouldn't be tempted to test free agency if I were in his position either. In a perfect world, the business aspect and the game aspect would be completely separate, but we don't live in a perfect world.
- buffalofan19

I definitely get where you're saying. But the reason I had an issue with Vanek is because he's been that way from the get go. Even when he needed his first contract he was looking to just get the most money possible and he didn't care who it was that he got it from. It's not exactly like he was trying to find a less dysfunctional team back then, he signed with the Oilers.

Yup. That exactly how Vanek works. He has no loyalty and is only in it for himself. And to be honest, I'm glad he's gone. I don't want guys with that kind of attitude on my team.
- HonkFortheGoose

I would make an exception for Ovechkin. I would take him all day everyday, and twice on Sundays.



*waits for innuendo comments*

After the Olympics, it's all justified IMO.

He's a good player with all world talent that shows up 50% of the time.
- sbroads24

I agree, the crap he pulled when you are representing your country at the biggest stag?

I would make an exception for Ovechkin. I would take him all day everyday, and twice on Sundays.



*waits for innuendo comments*
- ImThatGuy

3 times on a Friday night Leafs home game!!

Yup. That exactly how Vanek works. He has no loyalty and is only in it for himself. And to be honest, I'm glad he's gone. I don't want guys with that kind of attitude on my team.
- HonkFortheGoose

I wouldn't go as far as to say that Vanek isn't loyal. He was a Sabre for 10 years and left at age 30 like anyone else in the league would in his situation.

Maybe he didn't try 100% of the time but he was by far the best player on this team for quite a while. The Vanek hate on this site boggles my mind.

After the Olympics, it's all justified IMO.

He's a good player with all world talent that shows up 50% of the time.
- sbroads24

I'm not upset to see him go. The reasons you just laid out are exactly why I don't think you can build a championship team with that guy on it. Perhaps you can acquire him at the deadline or for a year or two as the final piece of a puzzle, but he will never be a foundation piece of a championship team. However, that is something completely different than wanting to get off the worst team in hockey, especially when you're getting to the wrong side of your prime.

I agree, the crap he pulled when you are representing your country at the biggest stag?
- Stripes77

Maybe there was a reason Ruff couldn't get through to him. I know a few people who have said those two couldn't stand eachother

I wouldn't go as far as to say that Vanek isn't loyal. He was a Sabre for 10 years and left at age 30 like anyone else in the league would in his situation.

Maybe he didn't try 100% of the time but he was by far the best player on this team for quite a while. The Vanek hate on this site boggles my mind.
- sambarugh

Miller
Pominville
Vanek


Vanek had the most talent, only used it when he wanted

Maybe there was a reason Ruff couldn't get through to him. I know a few people who have said those two couldn't stand eachother
- sbroads24

If you thought him and Ruff didn't like each other you should have seen how Vanek felt about Rolston

I'm not upset to see him go. The reasons you just laid out are exactly why I don't think you can build a championship team with that guy on it. Perhaps you can acquire him at the deadline or for a year or two as the final piece of a puzzle, but he will never be a foundation piece of a championship team. However, that is something completely different than wanting to get off the worst team in hockey, especially when you're getting to the wrong side of your prime.
- buffalofan19

Ill never feel like he owed anything to the Sabres, or that he should have wanted to extend here. I just think he thought he deserved something he didn't.

First, he doesnt want to be captain in 2010 with 3 years left on his deal, but now in a contract year when he knows he's got a foot out the door he all the sudden is fine with the C......

I definitely get where you're saying. But the reason I had an issue with Vanek is because he's been that way from the get go. Even when he needed his first contract he was looking to just get the most money possible and he didn't care who it was that he got it from. It's not exactly like he was trying to find a less dysfunctional team back then, he signed with the Oilers.
- HonkFortheGoose

He signed that deal knowing the Sabres would match. He basically let someone else do the negotiating for him, which is an opportunity most players don't get. I can't fault him for that either. Like I said, I think he needed to go simply because the Sabres needed to go in another direction. I just can't get on the "he has no loyalty" train.

I wouldn't go as far as to say that Vanek isn't loyal. He was a Sabre for 10 years and left at age 30 like anyone else in the league would in his situation.

Maybe he didn't try 100% of the time but he was by far the best player on this team for quite a while. The Vanek hate on this site boggles my mind.
- sambarugh

Not to bring up this again but I don't think he has any loyalty to anyone but himself. The offer sheet (I hate to bring that up) looking about at it now, was a very good indication what he was all about. $$$$ get him the most money he didn't care where.

Edit: Late

Ill never feel like he owed anything to the Sabres, or that he should have wanted to extend here. I just think he thought he deserved something he didn't.

First, he doesnt want to be captain in 2010 with 3 years left on his deal, but now in a contract year when he knows he's got a foot out the door he all the sudden is fine with the C......
- sbroads24

Some of that is probably pride though. In 2010, just about all of that "core" was here, and the guys that he was supposedly friends with were here. In 2013, who on this team would you be happy to be under on this roster? I can't think of anyone.

I wouldn't go as far as to say that Vanek isn't loyal. He was a Sabre for 10 years and left at age 30 like anyone else in the league would in his situation.

Maybe he didn't try 100% of the time but he was by far the best player on this team for quite a while. The Vanek hate on this site boggles my mind.
- sambarugh

He signed a contract with Edmonton after his ELC expired. He is not loyal.

Some of that is probably pride though. In 2010, just about all of that "core" was here, and the guys that he was supposedly friends with were here. In 2013, who on this team would you be happy to be under on this roster? I can't think of anyone.
- buffalofan19

Weber, without a doubt.

Weber, without a doubt.
- sbroads24

Right. Forgot about him. I think Ted Nolan giving him the "A", even for that one game, was the part where I just stopped watching.

Not to bring up this again but I don't think he has any loyalty to anyone but himself. The offer sheet (I hate to bring that up) looking about at it now, was a very good indication what he was all about. $$$$ get him the most money he didn't care where.

Edit: Late
- Stripes77

You and I seem to feel the same way about it.

I guess I just gravitate more to the guys like Miller who come out and say things like "I have unfinished business here in Buffalo. I want to bring this city a Stanley Cup" when they sign their extension. As much as he knew and we all knew it was time for him to leave this year, it was still something that both he and the fans hated. You could see how upset he was at his press conference.

Vanek is pretty much the polar opposite. I think the way we relate to guys all depends on our own specific personalities as well.

Right. Forgot about him. I think Ted Nolan giving him the "A", even for that one game, was the part where I just stopped watching.
- buffalofan19

I hope he's bought out, doubt he will be though

You and I seem to feel the same way about it.

I guess I just gravitate more to the guys like Miller who come out and say things like "I have unfinished business here in Buffalo. I want to bring this city a Stanley Cup" when they sign their extension. As much as he knew and we all knew it was time for him to leave this year, it was still something that both he and the fans hated. You could see how upset he was at his press conference.

Vanek is pretty much the polar opposite. I think the way we relate to guys all depends on our own specific personalities as well.
- HonkFortheGoose

Well said