I don't think he's available
I know the rumors, but I just don't buy it

The Ducks have him for two more years at a good cap #
If they trade him, I think it'll be next offseason unless a team REALLY overpays

And even if he is...
There's still at least 20 other teams that could use Vanek
- jdfitz77

As a Ducks fanatic, I do really like Ryan, but with the kids coming up on forward, trading Bobby for an equally good defenceman would help the team huge.

I think Buffalo and Calgary are the two teams that have to pull the pin and start from scratch. Get as young as you can, accept that you will lose for half a decade and try and snag MacDavid in a few years...they have way too many holes to fill with one pick or trade. Trying to rush just to make the playoffs, only to get oustedin the first round isn't going to get you anywhere.
- sudburyboy

Accepting that they will lose is what we do best.


Miller AND Vanek for Okposo and Nino is a Milbury move (IE: stupid).

That's the way I'm looking at it. Even if they would would want to resign, I think I'd want them to still be traded. By the time the Sabres are contenders again they will be on the down turn of their careers and won't be worth what they are now. They are assets that need to be traded for younger talent in my opinion.
- GilPerreault11

True,
Even with them we are years away from really competing
The proof is just how bad we've been,
And we've lost some decent parts in the last two seasons
I can't imagine how (even if) we keep them and make the playoffs next year
Not without adding major talent,
And I don't see free agents lining up to come here
And I doubt we have enough youth to trade for all the pieces it would take to really matter

As a Ducks fanatic, I do really like Ryan, but with the kids coming up on forward, trading Bobby for an equally good defenceman would help the team huge.
- sudburyboy

IMO the Philly/Anaheim rumor has legs.

IMO the Philly/Anaheim rumor has legs.
- dadeadhead

Does it know how to use them?

He's not.


Vanek turned down a deal.
- dadeadhead

No he didnt, Vanek agent has stated the sabres have not even talked contract with them at any point.

Does it know how to use them?
- Pierceme69

No like the giraffe.

As a Ducks fanatic, I do really like Ryan, but with the kids coming up on forward, trading Bobby for an equally good defenceman would help the team huge.
- sudburyboy

But are those kids ready to take his spot yet?
I think u could still get a very good package for him next offseason as well

No he didnt, Vanek agent has stated the sabres have not even talked contract with them at any point.
- Mentalorgasm5

Holmgren stated he wasn't going to buyout Bryz either.

IMO the Philly/Anaheim rumor has legs.
- dadeadhead

Idk...
I can see why Philly would want him
But giving up a solid Dman, when they need MORE solid Dmen to begin with...
That just creates a bigger hole on D
ESP since they also NEED a goalie!

Idk...
I can see why Philly would want him
But giving up a solid Dman, when they need MORE solid Dmen to begin with...
That just creates a bigger hole on D
ESP since they also NEED a goalie!
- jdfitz77

Just a thought.

What if Pronger was planning on being able to play this year?

Holmgren stated he wasn't going to buyout Bryz either.
- dadeadhead

Holmgren has a history of lying. Plus Vaneks agent gains no ground by stating if the sabres offered him a contract or not. If fact, if Vanek is looking to be traded, it makes more sense to state they declined an offer from Buffalo.

Briere on Detroit.

Briere on the Island

Briere on Pittsburgh


My top 3 choices.
- dadeadhead

Good choices, my top choice is Montreal. Il parler de Francais

Holmgren has a history of lying. Plus Vaneks agent gains no ground by stating if the sabres offered him a contract or not. If fact, if Vanek is looking to be traded, it makes more sense to state they declined an offer from Buffalo.
- Mentalorgasm5

1. It makes zero sense as it would diminish what Buffalo could get for him.

2. He gains a ton of ground as he's trying to get the best contract for his client. If the 8 for 64 is true, you think he wants other teams to know he turned that down? I'll answer for you, NO. It makes him and Vanek look like a money grabbers.

3. ALL AGENTS ARE LIARS. It's their job and they are good at it.

Good choices, my top choice is Montreal. Il parler de Francais
- GilPerreault11

Makes Montreal even smaller and weaker.


Pittsburgh is my odds on Favorite.

But are those kids ready to take his spot yet?
I think u could still get a very good package for him next offseason as well
- jdfitz77

That's fair, also having Bobby playing on a line that's not Koivu and Selanne (who is my hero and the reason I'm a Ducks fan...but unfortunately a few years past his legendary prime) will definitely help bring up his stock

That's fair, also having Bobby playing on a line that's not Koivu and Selanne (who is my hero and the reason I'm a Ducks fan...but unfortunately a few years past his legendary prime) will definitely help bring up his stock
- sudburyboy

Oh you mean Ryan doesn't play solely with Perry and Getzlaf like everyone likes to say, who knew?



(insert heavy sarcasm here)

1. It makes zero sense as it would diminish what Buffalo could get for him.

2. He gains a ton of ground as he's trying to get the best contract for his client. If the 8 for 64 is true, you think he wants other teams to know he turned that down? I'll answer for you, NO. It makes him and Vanek look like a money grabbers.

3. ALL AGENTS ARE LIARS. It's their job and they are good at it.
- dadeadhead

Stating he turned down a contract from the sabres forces the sabres hand to move him, and at no point do they have to mention the terms that were rejected (years and money)

Stating he turned down a contract from the sabres forces the sabres hand to move him, and at no point do they have to mention the terms that were rejected (years and money)
- Mentalorgasm5

Sabres know they have to move him, forcing it diminishes what they can get for him. They have a good faith deal to keep everything more on the hush/hush.


GM's and Agents are perpetual liars and I take what they say publically with a grain of salt.

Vaneks agent is no different.

Oh you mean Ryan doesn't play solely with Perry and Getzlaf like everyone likes to say, who knew?



(insert heavy sarcasm here)
- dadeadhead

Exactly. He's put up great numbers even on the second line. The best I've ever seen him play was still on team USA in the Olympics. If he was on a first line full time he'd be a stud. Too bad the cap exists ad Anaheim couldn't keep them together without sacrificing any depth.

Just a thought.

What if Pronger was planning on being able to play this year?
- dadeadhead

Idk...
Would he even be any good still?
Plus one hit and he's done
Also, the cap ramifications would have to be figured out as well
Seems like it'd be pretty risky to count on him,
Even if he was medically cleared

Sabres know they have to move him, forcing it diminishes what they can get for him. They have a good faith deal to keep everything more on the hush/hush.


GM's and Agents are perpetual liars and I take what they say publically with a grain of salt.

Vaneks agent is no different.
- dadeadhead

Tht all makes sense to me

I think Phaneuf would be a perfect fit for the sabres.....too bad never gonna see a trade with the leafs.

I think Phaneuf would be a perfect fit for the sabres.....too bad never gonna see a trade with the leafs.
- toddkac

We are rebuilding... We should be trading assets to get young NHLers, prospects &/or picks
Not trading that stuff to get overpaid defensemen
Plus, his contract is up after next season like Vanek & Miller & Ott

Please explain why would any of them wanna stay through a "rebuild"

We are rebuilding... We should be trading assets to get young NHLers, prospects &/or picks
Not trading that stuff to get overpaid defensemen
Plus, his contract is up after next season like Vanek & Miller & Ott

Please explain why would any of them wanna stay through a "rebuild"
- jdfitz77

still need players to mentor....still need to put a team on the ice. Not a good idea to have 20 rookies.

Why do we need to overpay?