The Buffalo Sabres quickly announced that they would be matching the offer sheet signed by the Edmonton Oilers. I like how the Sabres immediately held a press conference and put their fans fear to rest.
The deal that the Oilers offered and Buffalo matched is for forward Thomas Vanek, a seven-year, $50 million offer sheet. The deal will pay Vanek $5 million in the first two seasons, and $6.4 million in each of the following five seasons. The contract will also pay him a $5 million and $3 million signing bonus in the first two years.
Vanek, drafted fifth overall by Buffalo in 2003, made $942,000 US last season. The native of Austria finished fifth in the league in goals with 43 and 19th in points with 84 in only his second NHL campaign. In two seasons with the Sabres, Vanek has registered 68 goals and 64 assists in 163 career games.
The Vanek signing marks the second time in as many years that a team has tried to land another club's restricted free agent. Last year, the Philadelphia Flyers offered Ryan Kesler a $1.9 million US deal that was easily matched by the Vancouver Canucks.
What will Kevin Lowe do next? Thank God he doesn't need a goalie or I would be terrified that he would target the "King" (Henrik Lundqvist). It will also be interesting to see if NHL GM's will be more willing to trade with Kevin now that they realize he means business.
Matt
getitnext.com
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