People said that when he was scoring 75 points a year, too. The dude slows the game down around him and makes solid plays. It's not that he isn't trying, he just doesn't have the extra speed gear, so he relies on positioning and skill.

Most underrated Sabre of the past 10 years imo. He never got the respect he deserved
- jcragcrumple

he was mentioned in the blog, as were vanek and beau Bennett, whom the pens drafted in the first round when Botterill was there
- Michael Pachla

I know. I read the blog. I was responding specifically to the question you posed.

Radulov
- sbroads24

radulov's 30 and I though he was a right-winger?...plus....

evander kane has better goal-scoring numbers than him

radulov's 30 and I though he was a right-winger?...plus....

evander kane has better goal-scoring numbers than him




- Michael Pachla

salty

I guess he got $2.6 last year. Maybe at $3 he isn't the worst option. I still think Yak is a low-risk, high-reward option. If he clicks with Jack we could have a top-line winger for cheap.
- Pierceme69

am not opposed simply because of that

salty
- Der Kaiser

well...

you know

I know. I read the blog. I was responding specifically to the question you posed.
- Pierceme69

appreciate the reed

- Der Kaiser

5th all-time in Goals for the Sabres

10th all time in Points for the Sabres

radulov's 30 and I though he was a right-winger?...plus....

evander kane has better goal-scoring numbers than him




- Michael Pachla

Thought he played left this year, but I am probably wrong

https://oilersnation.com/2014/09/25/does-nail-yakupov-need-to-play-right-wing/

It might not be wise.
- Der Kaiser

I actually want him for RW anyway. Reinhart should be the 3C on a good team. I would play him there, Yak on Eichel's right, and play Samson on the PP with Eichel.

I guess he got $2.6 last year. Maybe at $3 he isn't the worst option. I still think Yak is a low-risk, high-reward option. If he clicks with Jack we could have a top-line winger for cheap.
- Pierceme69

He's #russian so he's always high risk.

Pham: Vanek, "I never wanted to leave, I wanted to win a Cup here, but this organization had no clue what direction it wanted to head in so it was time to move on."

wants and needs are different...who's gonna be in the top-six at LW besides Kane?

ennis, who's been injured, plays an east/west game and has had two awful seasons?
Foligno?
Girgensons?

marleau who won't come to buffalo?
Sharp who's old and is coming off of hip surgery?
Yak?
- Michael Pachla

they're not going to address all these needs in one off season. Just gotta take it for what it is.

well...

you know
- Michael Pachla

5th all-time in Goals for the Sabres

10th all time in Points for the Sabres
- jcragcrumple

1st in alltime vodka

- Der Kaiser

Sam Elliot has the best stache in the biz.

Pham: Vanek, "I never wanted to leave, I wanted to win a Cup here, but this organization had no clue what direction it wanted to head in so it was time to move on."
- Michael Pachla

If he came back for 2 years, he could move up to 5th all time for the Sabres in points

Pham: Vanek, "I never wanted to leave, I wanted to win a Cup here, but this organization had no clue what direction it wanted to head in so it was time to move on."
- Michael Pachla

Bring him back 1 yr 2M or 2 yr 4M.

I'd be ok with it.

I actually want him for RW anyway. Reinhart should be the 3C on a good team. I would play him there, Yak on Eichel's right, and play Samson on the PP with Eichel.
- Pierceme69

Can I get an AMEN

I've said it before and I will say it again:

There are only 3 options on the UFA market that will suit us:

Vanek
Gionta
Sam Gagne

All come with concerns (Vaneks speed, Gionta's age, Gagner will want to get paid for having a good year last year) but the only other decent options on the UFA are either super injury prone or wont play in Buffalo.

Bring him back 1 yr 2M or 2 yr 4M.

I'd be ok with it.
- mattsox

If he would play here for $2 million per I would try to pick up both him and Yak. Two top-6 wingers for $4 million a year is unheard of.

Im a huge Vanek fan personally. Still one of my favorite Sabres players of all time. Im all for bringing him back. I think hes turned into a pretty good mentor for young guys

Sam Elliot has the best stache in the biz.
- Pierceme69

Lanny MacDonald says you don't know facial hair:

they're not going to address all these needs in one off season. Just gotta take it for what it is.
- Sabresfan-365

if a player is cost-efficient and fills a position of need, why wouldn't you sign him to a one-year deal?

I don't believe they're in tank mode

Im a huge Vanek fan personally. Still one of my favorite Sabres players of all time. Im all for bringing him back. I think hes turned into a pretty good mentor for young guys
- MCGUIZZY

that gambling thing probably doesn't sit will with pegula