Ottawa Who?

Thomas Vanek finally gets a hat trick

The only reason most people have heard of Thomas Vanek is because of his contract. Due to the incompetence of Darcy Regier the Buffalo Sabres had horrible offseason. They had a chance early in the season to lock up Chris Drury and Daniel Briere with 4-5 year contracts in the $25 million range. Long story short, he fucked up and the Sabres lost both of them. In the midst of all of this shit the Edmonton Oilers figured that the Sabres were not going to spend that proverbial cash. So they plotted on some shit.

Thomas Vanek was a promising young 2 year veteran. And also a restricted free agent. So the Oilers made him a Godfather offer. A huge contract which came with a $10 million salary for the upcoming 2007-08 season. Regier had warned all the GM's that he would match any offer to Vanek but the Oilers did it anyway, as was their right. Regier bitched and moaned and ultimately matched the offer.

From a Sabres fan's point of view Vanek cost more than our two captains, Drury and Briere who were the heart and soul of last seasons team. And at $10 million this season Vanek is one of the 10 highest paid players in the league. And he's been decent but not anywhere near the 10 million dollar man.

The Sabres have been struggling. But they're getting healthy. Ryan Miller is heating up. And Thomas Vanek finally got his first career hat trick. Against Ottawa. Regarded as the best team in the land, the team to beat, Ottawa. Ottawa who ended the Sabres playoff run last year.

Don't look now but the Sabres are undefeated in regulation the last nine games. They've won 16 of their last possible 18 points. See you in the playoffs Philly.