Stafford signs

The Buffalo Sabres have signed restricted free agent Drew Stafford. Terms and full details to follow.

11 a.m. update: The Sabres just announced it's a two-year deal.

12:55 p.m. update: "I’m very excited we were able to get a deal done," Stafford said. "I couldn’t be happier.

"I’m going into my fourth year now. I’ve experienced a lot. It’s very tough losing. I hate losing. This is obviously the first time in my short career where you experienced missing the playoffs twice. It’s not a good feeling. I don’t want to do it again."

2:25 p.m. update: The official numbers on Stafford's contract are $1.5 million this season and $2.5 $2.3 million next season.

---John Vogl

Comments

[Buffalo Excuses]

It could be worse:

"He's a dynamic runner. He's trying to win a football game, ice a football game, and we've seen him do it," Jauron said. "He almost did it there. From the sideline it looked like he was making a particular effort to cover the ball with two hands and somehow it came out of there. It's just one of those things that happens."

Can anyone please answer why this guy still has a job?

Well, it IS Buffalo afterall and we have been trained as fans to lower our expectations and accept what we get...

MEDIOCRITY.

BRIIIICKS!

Get your red hot BRIIICKS!

ONLY 69 BUUUUUCKS!!!!

[Bill]

Drew Stafford has grit? He's an arrogant idiot who thinks too highly of his own skills and is unwilling to ever acknowledge his own shortcomings. Grit? Tell us another funny joke.

[c]

The culture in the Sabres' organization is to kiss Larry's ring.

Stafford is another example of a guy with grit getting his leash yanked by Darcy & Lindy on behalf of Larry.

[Jeff]

Depending on how you project the final roster, it puts them around 1.8 million under the cap.

[lounotinafghanistananymore]

yeah, more mediocrity. i don't mind stafford. and the price wasn't bad. but when i'm not successful at something i don't usually do the same thing over and over again. but this is the sabres approach. sort of like a bird flying into a window. over, and over again.

[CalgarySabre2]

Glad they got Drew signed, but I cannot recall entering an NHL season when I felt so uninspired by the upcoming season. There are a few things of interest - will Theo Fleury succeed in his comeback attempt? (I say yes); what will be the big story at the Olympics?; but all in all, I am not revved up about this one.

[Jeff]

You can't really compare a UFA deal to an RFA. Stafford had 0 leverage, especially in this economic year. When you look at comparable RFA's over the last few years, they definitely signed him cheap. This might come back to haunt them in 2 years, but I think it was worth the risk.

[Tubbytreats]

$3.8mil...I think that qualifies as a great deal

[Greg]

Dave- I agree with you. I think one or both of Ruff and Regier will say "thanks, but no thanks" to Larry. My money is on Regier. I think he's tired of catching flack for a decision that was management's doing in the Drury situation. I think he also realizes his hands are tied when it comes to many things he wants to do with the team.

Tubby- Neil was unrestricted and Staff was restricted with no arbitration rights, so they were different situations. Still, it was a fair deal to both sides. Now, Drew has to step up. Like a lot of people on this board, I'm not the biggest fan of his attitude. But he impressed me by coming to the first day of camp without a contract, so I credit him for that.

**It seems the contract is now two years for $3.8m.

[Tubbytreats]

Chris Neil gets 4 yr $8 mil total.

Stafford gets 2 yr $4 mil total...Sorry for my typo there.

[Tubbytreats]

Chris Neil signs with Sens 4yr $8mil...Stafford essentially gets 2yr $2mil.

Darcy did an amazing job with this one...you have to admit.

[Jeff]

Drew wasn't eligible for contract incentives, so that wasn't an option.

[Dave]

Excuses, isn't this the last year in the contracts of both Lindy and Darcy? If so, I'd imagine they'd just look for employment elsewhere rather than re-sign with Buffalo. Quinn can't fire them if they don't decide to continue working here, which I think is probably the most likely option. Whether or not they'd be able to jump right back into their respective positions with other clubs is open for speculation, but it seems pretty obvious both are fed up with dealing with Quinn. That they aren't openly vocal about it is smart on their end - no one is going to employ someone who openly challenges and/or berates their boss, even if it is someone as inept as Larry.

That being said, I'm still looking forward to the season. Go Sabres!

[timmer923]

Since he never got an offer sheet from another team, the Sabres are winners on this one......But if I were a junior player available in next years draft, I sure as heck would not get his agent......he could have at least gotten some bonus clauses for 30+ goals, 80+ pts. etc.....so, Good Luck Drew, make the most of it.

[Buffalo Excuses]

Greg,

I agree. Bring on the mediocrity!!!

FINALLY, we get "basically the same team only without Spacek."

My Prediction:
10th.
Vanek has best year, but not elite.
Staff scores 27 goals.
Connelly has breakout year but gets a concussion with 15 games to go as we head down the stretch and becomes this year's EXCUSE why we didn't make the playoffs.
Miller has sub par year to offset offensive pickup.

Lindy and Darcy are fired.

Larry wins NHL Executive of the Year and thanks the "best fans in hockey" during his acceptance speech.

BRIIICKS!!!

Get your red hot BRIIICKS!

ONLY 69 BUUUUCKS!

[Greg]

Fair term, fair money, and a good deal for both sides. Now, let's play hockey!

[GmR]

It's less years than I expected but the price was right. If he puts in one or two 30 goal seasons he'll have far more market leverage than one 20 goal season. It's good for the Sabres too. If he walks in two years they have younger players like Gerbe and Kennedy to step up.

[Dan Starzynski]

"That Is AWSOME". I'am A BIG Drew Stafford Fan and Glad he sighned!!! Lets go DREWWW! Best of luck sabres.