I don't like paying Vanek 8 million in 1 year, let alone in 6. Vanek gets banged up more and more every year. Just a hunch but I think we will see a steady decline with Vanek over the next few years. Especially as injuries become more regular.

I am more interested in what kind of return we can get for him than I am in an overpaid aging player entering the downside of his career
- RayHatesDomi

Vanek has been a bull up until this past year "hardly missed any games"... If they stop using him in front of the net so often he would be healthier and more useful towards the end of a season. I personally don't mind paying are best player the past 5 years big money.

I guess we can agree to disagree on Vanek. Although it doesn't really mater because he won't be wearing a Sabres sweater in 2014-2015.

Vanek has been a bull up until this past year "hardly missed any games"... If they stop using him in front of the net so often he would be healthier and more useful towards the end of a season. I personally don't mind paying are best player the past 5 years big money.

I guess we can agree to disagree on Vanek. Although it doesn't really mater because he won't be wearing a Sabres sweater in 2014-2015.
- Smittyx36

If we are going to pay huge money, I'd rather have it be paid to one of the best players in the league, not to a player that just happens to be the best player currently on the Sabres. Don't get me wrong, I think Vanek is a good player but he's far from elite. He's one dimensional. In a couple years, I hope we have players better than Vanek on this team, weather we trade for them, our own guys develop or sign a ufa next year, I don't want a bloated Vanek contract getting in the way

If we are going to pay huge money, I'd rather have it be paid to one of the best players in the league, not to a player that just happens to be the best player currently on the Sabres. Don't get me wrong, I think Vanek is a good player but he's far from elite. He's one dimensional. In a couple years, I hope we have players better than Vanek on this team, weather we trade for them, our own guys develop or sign a ufa next year, I don't want a bloated Vanek contract getting in the way
- RayHatesDomi

When Vanek is healthy he is top 10 in the NHL IMO. I'm a big Vanek supporter, Always have been. I think some people may undervalue him as a player. The guy can and has single handily won games for the Sabres. That's a start player IMO.

When Vanek is healthy he is top 10 in the NHL IMO. I'm a big Vanek supporter, Always have been. I think some people may undervalue him as a player. The guy can and has single handily won games for the Sabres. That's a start player IMO.
- Smittyx36

I like Vanek, but there's no way hes top 10 in the NHL. Maybe a top 10 winger, and even that's a maybe

I like Vanek, but there's no way hes top 10 in the NHL. Maybe a top 10 winger, and even that's a maybe
- Rally_Shots

Like I said its my opinion. I have seen him take over games and completely dominate. That's with never having a true #1 center...

For the right price, I'd love to see Briere back in a Sabres uniform. Rebuild or not, we'll still need some veteran leadership to guide the youngsters. I say welcome him back and pin the 'C' back on his sweater.

When Vanek is healthy he is top 10 in the NHL IMO. I'm a big Vanek supporter, Always have been. I think some people may undervalue him as a player. The guy can and has single handily won games for the Sabres. That's a start player IMO.
- Smittyx36

Maybe I undervalue him but I think Vanek barely cracks the top 50. He is one dimensial. Granted, he is very good at that one dimension but that's it. To me, he's a 5.5 mil player, Maybe 6 in an ever inflating league. I've seen him take over a couple games but they are very few and far between but they are never what I consider big or important games. He did dominate Boston early this season when he was on a hot streak. I can think of a few Tampa games over the years. There aren't any big games that I think he dominated and carried the Sabres to victory. Again, I don't really have anything against him. I just think moving Vanek for assets helps the team long term much more than it does being bogged down with an overpriced extension

Maybe I undervalue him but I think Vanek barely cracks the top 50. He is one dimensial. Granted, he is very good at that one dimension but that's it. To me, he's a 5.5 mil player, Maybe 6 in an ever inflating league. I've seen him take over a couple games but they are very few and far between but they are never what I consider big or important games. He did dominate Boston early this season when he was on a hot streak. I can think of a few Tampa games over the years. There aren't any big games that I think he dominated and carried the Sabres to victory. Again, I don't really have anything against him. I just think moving Vanek for assets helps the team long term much more than it does being bogged down with an overpriced extension
- RayHatesDomi

Its looking like he wont extend here sooooo lets hope for those good assets.

I always felt that trading JP and Miller would give us enough assets for a rebuild. With Vanek gone we are completely drained at skill on the wing. We gotta hope for Armia to take over his role in the next couple years.

Kevin Freiheit: Buffalo not over #48...are you?
- KevinJames

He goes to Dallas and plays for Lindy.

Even rebuilding you need good veteran players, Avalanche just got Alex Tangauy again, I think which was a brilliant move, I think sometimes those sorts of acquistions go greatly un-heralded. Briere I don't really think is much of a leader, but all I know is he has a very good shot and just seems to know where to be on the ice.

Like I said its my opinion. I have seen him take over games and completely dominate. That's with never having a true #1 center...
- Smittyx36

The thing with Vanek is he never really takes over a game, he shows flashes of brilliance and has great plays, but he doesnt dictate pace or possession. Just my opinion.

He goes to Dallas and plays for Lindy.
- leonwaldo420

Probably..... e7

The thing with Vanek is he never really takes over a game, he shows flashes of brilliance and has great plays, but he doesnt dictate pace or possession. Just my opinion.
- Rally_Shots

Yep he is not a player that is able to start a good cycle and keep the puck in constatn posession but then again you need players capable of doing that on the same line as well

Yep he is not a player that is able to start a good cycle and keep the puck in constatn posession but then again you need players capable of doing that on the same line as well
- MikeyOz

Which he has lacked the majority of his career!

Danny's best days are long gone. 2 years max and only if the contract is reasonable.

The thing with Vanek is he never really takes over a game, he shows flashes of brilliance and has great plays, but he doesnt dictate pace or possession. Just my opinion.
- Rally_Shots

I am not disagreeing with what you said at all, but did you see Crosby and Malkin this postseason?
They hardly looked that great either.

Listen you we're gonna pay 8 mil for Doan. In my eyes Danny is worth more to the city, the org. and the fans. 3 years 5.5. He would help our young guys out big time.

Listen you we're gonna pay 8 mil for Doan. In my eyes Danny is worth more to the city, the org. and the fans. 3 years 5.5. He would help our young guys out big time.
- hbcamp1820

Agreed!

He goes to Dallas and plays for Lindy.
- leonwaldo420

Don't think there is a chance in hell Vanek signs with Dallas. He's had to suffer playing for Ruff his entire career. He's finally free from that overrated d bag

I'm not interested in bringing him back. Aren't we rebuilding anyway?

Why would he want to come back? I'd really question him for wanting to come here. He obviously has lost interest in winning a cup if he comes back.

People need to realize that he's not the player he was 6 years ago. He's not even the player he was 2 years ago
- RayHatesDomi

I don't think a plan has ever been mentioned By Darcy. Are the Sabres rebuilding? or Retooling?

The thing with Vanek is he never really takes over a game, he shows flashes of brilliance and has great plays, but he doesnt dictate pace or possession. Just my opinion.
- Rally_Shots

Agree.

Don't think there is a chance in hell Vanek signs with Dallas. He's had to suffer playing for Ruff his entire career. He's finally free from that overrated d bag
- RayHatesDomi

We're talking about DB#48