Oilers try to land LW Vanek, Sabres reel him back

Jul 6, 2007 - 7:04 PM BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- The Edmonton Oilers did their best to land left wing Thomas Vanek, but the Buffalo Sabres reeled him back.

After the Oilers signed Vanek to a seven-year, $50 million offer sheet, Sabres general manager Darcy Regier called a press conference on Friday afternoon to announce that Buffalo would match the offer.

Vanek, who made $942,000 last season, finished fifth in the NHL in 2006-07 with 43 goals and 19th with 84 points while posting a league-best plus-47 rating. The fifth overall selection in the 2003 draft was in his second season with the Sabres.

The Sabres, who operated at the $44 million salary cap this past campaign, have been ravaged by free agency, as co-captains Chris Drury and Daniel Briere were scooped up by the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers, respectively.

Drury, a center, signed a $35.25-million, five-year deal with the Rangers while Briere, also a center, signed a $52-million, eight-year contract with the Flyers.

In addition, the New Jersey Devils signed former Sabre Dainus Zubrus to a $20.4-million, six-year deal.