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No, a million times no, Thomas Vanek is not happy, the Buffalo Sabres forward says, crossing his arms uncomfortably whenever the topic of what happened to him last year comes up.
For someone who led the Sabres with 43 goals this season, Vanek is still stung by coach Lindy Ruff's decision to bench him for eight of the team's final 11 games. And there's no escaping the questions. Vanek was reminded about it every time he reached a new milestone.
''I'm still not happy about it. I don't think I ever will be,'' Vanek said. ''But it's over with. There's nothing I can do now. It's in the past and hopefully it'll go better this year.''
Here comes his second chance, an opportunity for Vanek prove himself and ease his frustrations when the Sabres - the NHL's top-seeded team - open the playoffs against the New York Islanders on Thursday. Oddsmakers have the Sabres listed at -260 for the series opener. The total is set at 6 1/2.
''I wish it could start tomorrow,'' Vanek eagerly said last week. ''I know I can play. Playoffs is a fun time of year. And that's what you look forward to.''
Buffalo's first-round pick in the 2003 draft has gone a long way to erase last year's memories while re-establishing himself as a clutch performer - a reputation the Austrian-born player deservedly earned in leading Minnesota to an NCAA championship in 2003.
For someone who led the Sabres with 43 goals this season, Vanek is still stung by coach Lindy Ruff's decision to bench him for eight of the team's final 11 games. And there's no escaping the questions. Vanek was reminded about it every time he reached a new milestone.
''I'm still not happy about it. I don't think I ever will be,'' Vanek said. ''But it's over with. There's nothing I can do now. It's in the past and hopefully it'll go better this year.''
Here comes his second chance, an opportunity for Vanek prove himself and ease his frustrations when the Sabres - the NHL's top-seeded team - open the playoffs against the New York Islanders on Thursday. Oddsmakers have the Sabres listed at -260 for the series opener. The total is set at 6 1/2.
''I wish it could start tomorrow,'' Vanek eagerly said last week. ''I know I can play. Playoffs is a fun time of year. And that's what you look forward to.''
Buffalo's first-round pick in the 2003 draft has gone a long way to erase last year's memories while re-establishing himself as a clutch performer - a reputation the Austrian-born player deservedly earned in leading Minnesota to an NCAA championship in 2003.
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