USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Vanek Signs Seven-year, $50 million contract with Buffalo

Published on July 6, 2007 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


Buffalo, NY-The Buffalo Sabres made sure they didn't let former Stampede star Thomas Vanek leave town saying Friday they will match the seven-year, $50 million offer sheet he received from the Edmonton Oilers.

At a news conference soon after Vanek's agent went public with the Oilers' offer, Sabres' general manager Darcy Regier said the team will match it - backing up a previous commitment not to risk losing another top player after losing co-captains Daniel Briere and Chris Drury to free-agency on Sunday.

Vanek, 23, led Buffalo this past season with 43 goals and had 84 points. Buffalo's first-round pick in the 2003 draft, Vanek's 68 goals and 132 points rank third among second-year NHLers - trailing only Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Washington's Alexander Ovechkin.

Vanek spoke to the Stampede organization earlier today and said he was thrilled, but still in a state of shock. "I can't believe it," said Vanek. "To make this kind of money at just 23 is a lot to comprehend right now. I'm still stunned." Vanek told the Stampede that his contract is guaranteed for seven years.

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 signing bonus in each of the first two years.

Vanek's agent went to every team in the NHL, looking for the best offer. Edmonton won the bidding war, but the Sabres matched their offer within minutes. The Oilers would have owed Buffalo four first-round draft picks if they signed Vanek. Draft pick compensation is based on the offer's average annual salary. Four first-round picks is the maximum compensation, and required for any team that makes an offer of more than $5 million a year.

Regier said the Sabres were unhappy with the Oilers' approach, especially since the Sabres had warned Edmonton officials not to make the offer.

"It was always going to be a match situation, and they were well aware of it last night that we were going to match," Regier said. "I suppose you have to assume they thought we were bluffing. ... What this amounted to was an exercise in futility."

Vanek, who played with the Stampede from 1999 to 2002 is the Stampede's all-time leading scorer, recording 153 points (80g, 73a) in 108 career games. He holds Stampede records for Most Goals in a Season (46), Most Goals in a Career (80), Most Points in a Season (91) and Most Points in a Career (153). He also holds the Stampede record for most goals scored in a game (4) and most points in a game (5).

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United States Hockey League Stories from July 6, 2007


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