We Sabres fans thought that Vanek contract was bad.

Tamara is always awesome with informing me with hockey news, especially because of me working now often. I work through all the exciting stuff to happen. So she texted me and when I got out of work, I learned that Ilya Kovalchuk had signed with...

New Jersey.

For real? Okay, so I had a feeling that he might pull this sort of stunt to screw with our heads. Keep sitting on his hands until the RIGHT deal came up and it was with the same team he was on at the end of the season. I just never thought it would go through like that. So I thought to myself 'Okay Ilya, you're the ultimate douche and I hope the system kills your playing ability' etc. etc.

This was before I heard what the contract was. Seventeen years at nearly $150 million. I have no idea what the cap hit is per year, but to put it bluntly, holy shit. What happened to the salary cap? Could the NHL possibly go into a lockout mode sooner than they expected, again? This is ridiculous. I saw on Twitter the other day that maybe each team should have a maximum number of years they can sign a guy. I mean, who really thinks Ilya is going to play for seventeen more years? Anyone? He upped my shock face from when the Blackhawks signed Marian Hossa to that fifteen year contract last summer. I wasn't that surprised when Ovie was signed to a thirteen year deal though...

And Sabres fans were afraid of that Vanek contract. Some people still are. It makes me wonder if that was the contract that started everything. I hope not.

Sabres go for two: Sign Rob Niedermayer and re-sign Patrick Lalime.

While it's been quiet in Sabreland for the past few days with the minor exceptions of salary arbitration, the signing of some prospects, and development camp going on at Dwyer Arena at Niagara University; something finally went down today. The Sabres signed Rob Niedermayer earlier this afternoon. I for one did not know he was up for a contract. I thought for sure he had signed longer with the New Jersey Devils after leaving Anaheim.

It was amusing when the news broke because most people were immediately thinking of Rob's brother, Scott. While Scott is an awesome player who has unfortunately hung them up for good, it's pretty cool to have his brother on the team. He is less awesome but still awesome. I used awesome too much in this paragraph, forgive me.

Word has it that two other teams vying for Niedermayer's services were the Oilers and Penguins. I understand passing up the Oilers because of their current state but the Pens, really? I love it when players come to Buffalo BECAUSE THEY WANT TO, not because it's their only option. Welcome to Buffalo, Rob!

What else happened today? Oh that's right.

PATRICK LALIME SIGNED FOR ONE MORE YEAR, WOOOOOOOOO!
Yes I'm excited, what of it? I think I might have to do a full on rant tomorrow about how I feel about the guy's playing and why I'm glad he's sticking around. For now, I'll just wish the guy a very happy birthday and a welcome back!

Day 1 of Free Agency: How Swede it is not, a not so great Finnish and...hey Jordan Leopold!

Pun totally intended on that whole title. Except for the 'hey Jordan Leopold' because I couldn't think of anything witty to do with that. Give me a break, it's late when I'm writing this post.

I was home for most of the fireworks from earlier today but was at work when our Swede and our Finn departed this team. Tamara had to come into Tim Horton's to inform me of the horrible news. I'm not saying I was completely shocked because most of us know how Darcy rolls by now. Apparently he did everything he could to keep the two of them but I don't know if I believe that a hundred percent...

So Toni is off to California while Hank is only going to New Jersey (which is ironic in itself, considering that goal he scored against Marty...). I know that they'll both be in good hands but they were on this team when I started to get back into hockey so I'm extremely sad. I just wish them the absolute best with their careers now.

Now Jordan Leopold was influenced to come here by the one and only Thomas Vanek. Not totally, but I guess when the Sabres showed interest, he talked to Thomas and their wives conversed as well. I think that's pretty awesome how players that are friends can talk to one another and ask if it might be a good decision to go to so and so place. I think the real thing that sealed the deal was Thomas mentioning how the wings were good here. Oh, you sly man you. Leopold was signed to a three year contract so he'll be here for a bit. I just hope that he's good.

Sabres get grittier by signing UFA Jeff Cowan.

He looks eerily like one of the Sedin twins, non?

He was signed to a one year, two-way contract yesterday so I'm pretty sure he will be in Portland when the season starts. He has played with many teams (Flames, Thrashers, Kings, and Canucks). Interesting thing to note, he was coined 'Cowan the 'Bra-barian' when at a Lightning game, someone threw a bra on the ice when he scored his second goal of the game for the Canucks. The team later signed the bra and it went up for charity for breast cancer research.

He's a pretty big guy and a veteran presence, so I'm sure he'll be the veteran presence that was lost on the Pirates roster. I hope someone throws a bra on the ice when he scores his first goal with them or the Sabres for that matter.

Color me surprised, the Buffalo Sabres sign Mike Grier to a one-year deal.

I really did not mean for that to come out as a pun, but it still did. Sorry Mike.

Tamara texted me the news that came directly from the Buffalo Sabres about the signing since I'm not signed up for those texts. I pretty much stared at my phone in awe. Now I didn't pay attention to the Sabres much in the 05-06 season besides Game 7 versus Carolina but I know Mike Grier did not have many kind words for the Sabres management when he left for San Jose. It'll be very interesting to hear comments on this signing because I am very surprised he would want to come back here after what he said. I guess the Sabres really are adding grit back to the team.

I don't feel like talking about the other big story that happened in Buffalo recently because - well frankly, I just don't want to. You can't make me.

Sabres sign Cody McCormick to a one-year deal.

The Sabres signed former Avalanche center Cody McCormick yesterday to a one-year deal. This must be a move to replace Andrew Peters because I doubt after this signing he's not coming back to the Sabres to play. I heard that he's pretty gritty and not exactly a goal scorer. I just hope that his fights are better than Petey's.



Looks pretty good from what I can see in this video.

Sabres sign goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux

Sabres sign native of Grand Forks, North Dakota.

I'm guessing this is to replace Adam Dennis who didn't get a contract offer down in Portland. Someone has to backup Jhonas Enroth and I don't think any of the other goaltenders are ready to make the jump to the AHL yet.

Where in the world is Drew Stafford?

While Reggie and General agreed to their qualifying offers either yesterday or a few days ago, there has still been no word on Drew Stafford and what's happening with his situation. Either the Sabres organization are doing a really good job of not releasing information, or he's fallen off the face of the Earth. Ever since the offers were handed out I have not heard one word about one of our extremely hardcore right wingers.

Now, I like Drew. He's actually one of my top favorites on the Sabres even though I hardly talk about him. I would really like if the Sabres could keep him and work out a good deal for both him and the team. A lot of blogs have stated that Ryan Callahan's new contract has set the bar and Drew has around the same stats as him. I just wish we knew what was going on with contract negotiations - if things are looking positive or negative. I just want to hear one thing about Drew, that's all I want.

Sabres sign Joe DiPenta.

Yesterday when I was at my best friend's grad party and destroying my cellphone almost, the Sabres signed free agent Joe DiPenta for one year. In this picture he's cooking for charity, so it's good to know he's helpful to the community.

He has his own website. That's kind of awesome. Oh, and he pops up on his website too. I remember when the Philadelphia Flyers did that..good times. Why don't the Sabres do creepy pop up announcements on their website?! I would thoroughly enjoy Jason Pominville's monotonous acting skills telling me to buy tickets.

That website probably has everything you need to know about this mystery man. Have at it.

Oh Al, I can't like you anymore now.

It has been confirmed that Ales Kotalik is now a New York Ranger. I think that is where Sabres careers go to die or something, or they're just all going there after leaving the organization. Details haven't been announced yet, but I'm sure they paid a lot for him...You know how the Rangers roll.

Sorry Al. If you had signed with a team I actually liked, I would like you. Now I have to hate you. Good day sir.

Happy birthday, America!/What is going on in Chi-town?

A war still going on sort of, the economy failing - I mean, what could be better for a celebration of our independence? Thanks to our founding fathers for signing the Declaration of Independence on this day, because I could be speaking in an English accent right now.

Something broke loose yesterday in the hockey world that Dale Tallon did not get several qualifying offers to players before July 1st came around. While this story is still under investigation by the NHL and NHLPA, it could end up where several RFAs could be turned into UFAs. I don't believe anything like this has ever happened before. I hope that Kris Versteeg stays in Chicago just for Cari because I see how much she loves that guy. If this whole thing turns out to be true then what does this mean for Chicago? I'm kind of scared to find out.

Derek Roy lone Sabre invited to Team Canada Orientation Camp.

Oh my God, this is just like my last post except different guy and different team. No way guys.

Derek Roy is one of a million players (46 to be exact) going to the camp for Team Canada in Calgary next month. Team Canada is stacked in talent so I wouldn't be surprised if they won the gold in Vancouver next year. They are my third favorite team on the international level. Damn you Canada for having so many amazing players.

The Sabres actually signed someone yesterday and it wasn't via trade. Welcome to the team, Steve Montador! I'm quite proud of Darcy for doing business on the first day, that sly dog.

Let us not forget that our beloved Jaroslav Spacek has moved on and signed with Montreal yesterday (for more money than he's worth, sorry Spach).
I didn't know you long enough, Jaro! I miss you already! ):