Zubrus

[OpIv37]

Can someone please explain this to me? Look, it's unlikely that we're going to keep both Drury and Briere so there should be cap space available.

It was clear, as many hockey analysts and people here have pointed out, that the high-octane Sabres were built for speed and not grind-it-out playoff series.

The one exception was Zubrus. He was out there knocking heads on every shift. The guy demonstrated the kind of grit that this team needs to get through a tough playoff series.

Yet, I believe Reiger called him a "rent a player" (or at least said something to that effect even if he didn't use that exact term).

I just can't understand why they wouldn't want to re-sign this guy. If it's purely a money issue, there has to be a way to work it out.

[User Manuel]

The only negative thing I have heard about Zubrus is that he had knee Surgery after the playoffs and the problem was termed "chronic."

Maybe that is it?

[Michael82]

If we lose both Drury and Briere....we better re-sign Zubie. He will help make some of the fans feel better about those big losses.

[Philagape]

If we lose both Drury and Briere....we better re-sign Zubie. He will help make some of the fans feel better about those big losses.

I won't feel better at all.

That's like the Bills losing Peters and Evans but re-signing Dockery. Big whoop.

[SabreEleven]

Zubie also is known to "float" during the regular season. I bet he won't play the same way during 82 games.

[OpIv37]

Zubie also is known to "float" during the regular season. I bet he won't play the same way during 82 games.

maybe so but he showed up when it counted the most. Thats more than we can say for a lot of guys on our roster.

[CuseJetsFan83]

zubrus has stated many times he wants to be here....... and if buffalo lets him go, it will truly be their loss...... especially if briere, drury and vanek walk out the door

[Michael82]

zubrus has stated many times he wants to be here....... and if buffalo lets him go, it will truly be their loss...... especially if briere, drury and vanek walk out the door
:bf1:

[CuseJetsFan83]

well the quote i got in my sig was reported i think on alot of hockey sites as they were clearing out........ he honestly wants to be here..... and that whole can he play a full season at a full intensity......come on now, if he did that he'd be drained by the playoffs..... and a nagging knee injury? well thats hockey, if he gets hurt during hte year, oh well.... i like zubrus alot........ if the sabres can stick by connolly then i dont see why they cant with dainius

[Dr. Lecter]

Where is all of this Vanek leaving talk coming from????

[CuseJetsFan83]

Where is all of this Vanek leaving talk coming from????

just the fact that his qualifying offer is rather low as compared to say other players, i dont know if the sabres would be willing to match a high offer from a desperate team....

granted i see thomas staying as well, eh, must be prepared for anything i guess

[Michael82]

just the fact that his qualifying offer is rather low as compared to say other players, i dont know if the sabres would be willing to match a high offer from a desperate team....

granted i see thomas staying as well, eh, must be prepared for anything i guess
Exactly! Plus the RFA rules have been changed. You don't have to give up a king's ransom for a RFA anymore. All it takes to get a guy like Vanek is a really high contract and a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round draft pick.

[User Manuel]

just the fact that his qualifying offer is rather low as compared to say other players, i dont know if the sabres would be willing to match a high offer from a desperate team....

granted i see thomas staying as well, eh, must be prepared for anything i guess

The qualifying offer for Vanek only had to be 5% above the salary from last year. It was nothing more than a standard step to ensure the Sabres retained his rights as a restricted free agent. If they failed to make that offer he automatically becomes unrestricted.

The qualifying offer is simply a procedural step.

[User Manuel]

Exactly! Plus the RFA rules have been changed. You don't have to give up a king's ransom for a RFA anymore. All it takes to get a guy like Vanek is a really high contract and a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round draft pick.

Here is the RFA scale:
Contact $$ Compensation
$1.1- $2.3 2nd Round Pick
$2.3- $3.5 1st and 3rd
$3.5- $4.7 1st, 2nd and 3rd
$4.7- $5.8 3 First Round Picks
$5.8-??? 4 First Round Picks

For the Sabres to even think about not matching it would have to be over the $5m mark and that is 3 #1s. That is till pretty stiff.

I'd put the odds at 95% that Vanek is here next year for a lot less than you would think.

[YardRat]

We need to keep Zubrus, and bring in a couple more guys just like him. Let 'em all take half the regular season off for all I care, as long as they show up for the playoffs when the games really mean something.

[DraftBoy]

Vaenk is going to get some offers from other teams, and there is talk that PHI plans a big bid. However I dont think anybody is going to bid so much that BUF wont match. In fact yesterday was the 1st day to talk to other teams RFA's and Vanek's agent said that he has a very busy day on the phone yesterday talking with multiple teams.

[Typ0]

this is vaneks opportunity to play the market and get a better contract. That's the way the system is built. We'll be the ones giving him that contract. He's a kid who really stepped up to the plate last season. He took care of weaknesses in both his physical and mental play. He's worth the $$ to keep in the system.

[OpIv37]

this is vaneks opportunity to play the market and get a better contract. That's the way the system is built. We'll be the ones giving him that contract. He's a kid who really stepped up to the plate last season. He took care of weaknesses in both his physical and mental play. He's worth the $$ to keep in the system.

agreed. Watching Vanek in November and December, I was frequently left wondering WTF he was thinking. By the end of the season that was gone- you could literally watch him get better every game. And he's still on the way up. Pay the man.