MONTREAL -- Sabres right wing Drew Stafford is a restricted free agent, but GM Darcy Regier said signing him before the marketplace opens Wednesday is not a priority despite the fact the 23-year-old could attract an offer sheet. The Sabres were victimized by a bid two years ago when Edmonton signed Thomas Vanek to a $50 million offer, which Buffalo matched.
"It’s something that we balanced out and weighed, and we want to do what’s right for both the player and the organization, and so I think you’re going to see it go beyond July 1," Regier said today after the draft concluded. "I think ownership made a very serious statement in Thomas’ case, and I would hope that would send a signal to the rest of the league that as an organization we’re going to protect the assets we have, we’re going to make decisions that are best for the organization. I think ownership has made that statement loud and clear."
---John Vogl
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Sabres | Sabres front office
