Dee Karl: Piling on the Vanek. Sorry... I had to laugh.

Vanek kind of reminds me of Alex Kovalev. All the talent in the world but only uses it when he's in the mood ! He'll get you 25-30 goals a season but never seems to be the go to guy in critical situations.

Thomas Vanek and most every member of that Sabres core were raised in the worst hockey incubator possible. Vanek, Miller, Pomminville(to a lesser degree), Gaustad, Drew Stafford and Derek Roy.

They were young guys on a lost team emerging from bankruptcy only drawing 11,000 if they were lucky. The once proud franchise which had been in the Stanley cup only years before had its pride and fanbase gutted. Not to mention the league nearly collapsed. Suddenly out of the lockout they were among the hottest teams. They soared to game 7 of the ECF from nothing. The next year a Presidents trophy and another ECF appearance. Hockey was back in Buffalo. The games were sold out and everyone involved was elevated to rock star status.


Then leadership was gutted from the team. Not just Drury and Briere, but J.P. Dumont, Mike Grier, Jay McKee and Brian Campbell. Who replaced them? Jeff Cowan.

The team never came close to winning anything after and despite amazing fan support ownership never came close to replacing the experience and leadership they lost. This went on for years. These guy had a built in excuse for not winning. But the paychecks were nice. Now they've all been exposed in their trades(for which the Sabres were handsomely rewarded) as being not competitive enough to get near a cup.

Finding someone who will provide leadership and a veteran edge amongst these overpriced and old players (Vanek,Gaborik,Moulson) is very unlikely for a team like the NYI,who are in the midst of going through a rebuild. Keep your picks,prospects,and cap.

All of this Vanek criticism is about 4 years overdue.

He tries when he wants. He doesn't want the spotlight but wants to be paid like a superstar. Embarrassed himself at the Olympics.

Frankly, I have lost what little respect I had for him this season

Dee Karl: Piling on the Vanek.
Sorry... I had to laugh.
- Dee Karl

This the man Garth was going to pay more than JT?????

We dodged a bullet. Garth did NOT do his "Due frickin Diligence on this player by a mile and we lost a 1st pick in the process. To anyone who says Vanek was a good trade you're sooooooo wrong. We took an expensive problem off Buffalo's hands, for an in-season rental and really got nothing for it.

Shows ONCE AGAIN, Garth cannot even make trades that benefit the team, forget about attracting decent FA's.
HOW does this moron STILL have a job?

Paging Jaroslav Halak.......why no contract yet?
Because he too will test the waters of free agency. Way to go Garthy!!!

Everyone in Buffalo knows this story. He is very hot and cold. Sometimes he'll look like the most talented guy in the league; completely taking over games. Then he'll do nothing for 10-15 games.

This the man Garth was going to pay more than JT?????

We dodged a bullet. Garth did NOT do his "Due frickin Diligence on this player by a mile and we lost a 1st pick in the process. To anyone who says Vanek was a good trade you're sooooooo wrong. We took an expensive problem off Buffalo's hands, for an in-season rental and really got nothing for it.

Shows ONCE AGAIN, Garth cannot even make trades that benefit the team, forget about attracting decent FA's.
HOW does this moron STILL have a job?

Paging Jaroslav Halak.......why no contract yet?
Because he too will test the waters of free agency. Way to go Garthy!!!


- jmo16

He still may & with good reason.

XxNYIxX

Vanek kind of reminds me of Alex Kovalev. All the talent in the world but only uses it when he's in the mood ! He'll get you 25-30 goals a season but never seems to be the go to guy in critical situations.
- NewfieStud

Howard banned me for saying that Vanek is Kovalev-lite.

Howard banned me for saying that Vanek is Kovalev-lite.
- twiztedmike

Now you know not to speak baldly about Kovalev!

Hope you learned your lesson!

XxNYIxX

I wanted the Canucks to make a push for Vanek this summer. But after watching most of the other Habs forwards outplaying him this post season. I want the Canucks to to be as far away as possible from any negotiations with Vaneks agent.

Vanek kind of reminds me of Alex Kovalev. All the talent in the world but only uses it when he's in the mood ! He'll get you 25-30 goals a season but never seems to be the go to guy in critical situations.
- NewfieStud

vanek isn't THAT talented. that's an insult to kovalev.

This the man Garth was going to pay more than JT?????

We dodged a bullet. Garth did NOT do his "Due frickin Diligence on this player by a mile and we lost a 1st pick in the process. To anyone who says Vanek was a good trade you're sooooooo wrong. We took an expensive problem off Buffalo's hands, for an in-season rental and really got nothing for it.

Shows ONCE AGAIN, Garth cannot even make trades that benefit the team, forget about attracting decent FA's.
HOW does this moron STILL have a job?

Paging Jaroslav Halak.......why no contract yet?
Because he too will test the waters of free agency. Way to go Garthy!!!


- jmo16

Isles made an attempt to upgrade at the foreward position by Trading for T.V.it didn't work out ...stupid trade ...we'll see...as someone else said we dodged a bullet.
As for Halak, he will sign here!...do not want Miller

All of this Vanek criticism is about 4 years overdue.

He tries when he wants. He doesn't want the spotlight but wants to be paid like a superstar. Embarrassed himself at the Olympics.

Frankly, I have lost what little respect I had for him this season
- sbroads24

Having Vanek was more fun than not having him, but he is a great example of why both talent AND drive are required to be great.

This the man Garth was going to pay more than JT?????

We dodged a bullet. Garth did NOT do his "Due frickin Diligence on this player by a mile and we lost a 1st pick in the process. To anyone who says Vanek was a good trade you're sooooooo wrong. We took an expensive problem off Buffalo's hands, for an in-season rental and really got nothing for it.

Shows ONCE AGAIN, Garth cannot even make trades that benefit the team, forget about attracting decent FA's.
HOW does this moron STILL have a job?

Paging Jaroslav Halak.......why no contract yet?
Because he too will test the waters of free agency. Way to go Garthy!!!


- jmo16

Yep! Garth was bound to make one good decision at some point, even if it was purely by accident.

I think after these playoffs Vanek can be had for a can of pop and a bowl of Kraft Dinner.

Never seen a guys value plummet so fast in two weeks.

I think after these playoffs Vanek can be had for a can of pop and a bowl of Kraft Dinner.

Never seen a guys value plummet so fast in two weeks.
- VANTEL

it's only noticed due to the playoffs, even with the Isles he'd do the same thing, but with JT and Okposo he'd pick up an assist or two even on the nights he was pounding the pooch. He's a great talent, and I'd be fine with him on the Isles again if it happened, but we gave up too much for him without a contract extension and got back too little for him at the deadline. It is what it is.

He still may & with good reason.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

What good reason is there for overpayment? Correction: Gross overpaymen. For a guy who has no heart and walked from the best offer because he wants to play for a contending organization, which with present ownership, management & coaching, we are not. Nobody wants to be the second choice. I'd rather have Nino back. He played with a lot of passion. Vanek has none.

it's only noticed due to the playoffs, even with the Isles he'd do the same thing, but with JT and Okposo he'd pick up an assist or two even on the nights he was pounding the pooch. He's a great talent, and I'd be fine with him on the Isles again if it happened, but we gave up too much for him without a contract extension and got back too little for him at the deadline. It is what it is.
- Isles_since_6

Yeah, but that's why it's so alarming. I think people would be a little more understanding playing with no heart in the regular season for a team going nowhere. But between the Olympics and now the post season he's showing he still has no heart. He's getting scorched up and down the ice with his inability to keep up with the speed game and that's why he's getting 4th line minutes. Sure he's got great scoring talent around the net, but at this point he's a glorified Matt Moulson. Offers nothing but net front scoring.

I'd be happy to take a pass on him now with all the speed the Wild now seem to have. Snow would be crazy to renew his exorbitant offer. If he does, it will most likely be the final nail in his coffin.

If they still think he is the best fit for JT, I think they will make him a serious offer.

Moulson in 10 playoff GMs: 3pts

Vanek: 8pts in 13gms.


Game...set....match.

Moulson in 10 playoff GMs: 3pts

Vanek: 8pts in 13gms.


Game...set....match.
- B.D. Gallof

People on this site tend to overreact!!!

Isles fans tend to overreact!!!
- jimmc7722

I fixed it.

I fixed it.
- B.D. Gallof

Very true!!!

But that is why I love this site... best forum for conversation on the net.

Good bunch of guys!!!

What good reason is there for overpayment? Correction: Gross overpaymen. For a guy who has no heart and walked from the best offer because he wants to play for a contending organization, which with present ownership, management & coaching, we are not. Nobody wants to be the second choice. I'd rather have Nino back. He played with a lot of passion. Vanek has none.
- jmo16

Niño isn't an option, Vanek is.


XxNYIxX