Tim Graham on Vanek and Group II RFAs

[Jim Bob]

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20040525/1055028.asp

In other Sabres news, the club extended qualifying offers to eight of their restricted free agents who played in the World Championships.

Qualifying offers normally don't have to be executed until June 30, but the Sabres were compelled to make the following early: forwards Maxim Afinogenov, Daniel Briere, J.P. Dumont, Mike Grier and Jochen Hecht; defensemen Jeff Jillson and Dmitri Kalinin; and goalie Mika Noronen.

[Forum21]

Boy it looks like the AP works a little harder than Tim Graham.

[Jim Bob]

Not to me.

Graham looked like he talked to Vanek quite a bit on the topic.

Perhaps the AP guy talked to Vanek as much, but the AP stories didn't have as much info.

At least that's what I've gotten out of it.

The one advantage the AP has is that both of their stories got out quicker.

[Forum21]

Only that Vanek told AP that there has been some talk and Graham said there was none. Perhpas it was the difference of a couple hours...

[Jim Bob]

It could depend on the question to Vanek.

Everything I've heard and read suggests that the only talk between the Sabres and Vanek's "family advisor" has been generalities about how Thomas played at the WCs and such and that there has been no contract talks started.

If Graham's question was "Have the Sabres talked contract with you at all?" and Vanek said "The Sabres haven't talked to me or my family. They haven't offered a contract. Buffalo has to decide what I deserve, and when they make (an offer) then I'll sit down with my family and take a look at it.", then it isn't any different than what the AP or Empire has reported.

The only thing to wonder is if the first part included the minimal **** chat that Regier has had with Vanek's "family advisor" or not.

[Forum21]

AP

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/hockey/nhl/05/24/bc.hkn.sabres.vanek.ap/

Vanek told The Associated Press on Monday that while the Sabres have contacted his family advisers, the team has yet to speak to him and make an offer.

"They've been talking a little bit, but I don't think it's anything major," said Vanek.

Tim Graham

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20040525/1055028.asp

"The Sabres haven't talked to me or my family. "



Either (a) Graham talked to him first, (b) someone misquoted Vanek or (c) Vanek is trying to play the media a bit.

[Jim Bob]

I'd lean towards Vanek sort of being misquoted by Graham.

I'm guessing that when Vanek said that they hadn't talked that it was merely that they hadn't talked contract.

At least that the way the rest of his answer sort of read to me.