Vanek No Certainty For Sabres Long Term: Thomas Vanek, who has one year left on a seven-year, $50 million deal, isn't sure if he fits into the team's long-term plans, The Buffalo News reports. Said the winger Saturday: "Let's be honest. I'm not stupid. I know I have a year left and they can probably deal me for prospects, young guys, whatever else is out there. Yeah, I've thought about it. If it looks like it's a long rebuild, then it probably makes sense for both parties to move on." (Updated 4/28/13)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/21/13).
Fantasy Analysis
The Sabres would probably love to have their best skater back under the right circumstances, but the offseason will determine whether the team has a plan to bring in a few veterans to mix with all its young talent and remain competitive, or if it's time for a total rebuild following several disappointing seasons. If it's the later, Thomas Vanek and goaltender Ryan Miller would seem to be prime candidates to be moved. Vanek has spent his entire eight-year career in Buffalo, and currently has 250 goals and 488 points on his resume. Consider him a 50-50 proposition for now to remain a Sabre. If he were to get dealt, there would certainly be high interest for a player of Vanek's caliber, plus he still hasn't turned 30 yet. (Updated 4/28/13).
04/26/2013 22:16 Goalie Miller seals victory in 500th game with Sabres
Thomas Vanek scored the lone goal in the shootout, and Ryan Miller made 30 saves before the tiebreaker to give the Buffalo Sabres in a 2-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Friday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.
04/22/2013 22:03 Miettinen's late goal lifts surging Jets past Sabres
Antti Miettinen scored with 7:36 left to keep the surging Winnipeg Jets in the playoff race with a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night.
04/19/2013 21:59 Rangers go on five-goal spurt in blow out of Sabres
The New York Rangers scored five times in a span of less than 3 minutes and Brad Richards notched his first NHL hat trick in an 8-4 rout of the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.
Thomas Vanek is a marquee name in Buffalo, but his inconsistency continues to frustrate fantasy owners. His 26 goals last year were his lowest total since posting 25 as a rookie in 2005-06, and he was once again prone to extended cold spells, including just eight goals from January to the end of the season. It's reasonable to expect a return to the 30-goal plateau, but with the offense in Buffalo beginning to spread, it would be unwise to reach too soon on draft day. Vanek remains a talented winger, but he has failed to crack 30 goals twice in the last three seasons since his 40-goal campaign in 2008-2009. (Updated 8/14/12)
