- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Sabres GM Darcy Regier on the Thomas Vanek – Matt Moulson trade.
“It was a deal that has been worked on off and on for a while,” General Manager Darcy Regier said in First Niagara Center. “It was something that we felt we had to do. Our focus is on trying to acquire assets, in this case draft picks, that are going to allow us to continue improving.”
“With where our hockey club is, the first- and the second-round picks are important. Whether we use the picks to select players at the draft or we use them to continue to acquire and improve the hockey club as we go forward through this season has yet to be determined.”
- Darcy Regier Audio from the Buffalo News
- John Vogl: “Email from Moulson agent Wade Arnott: He is heading to Buffalo with an open mind No conversations yet but interested in hearing Sabres plans”
- Arthur Staple: “More Snow: “Thomas is an elite player in this league and he’ll help us now and in the future.” Snow says no contract talks yet with Vanek.”
- Arthur Staple: Islanders GM Garth Snow: “I didn’t like the way we’d been playing. We’re better than our record indicates and we need to take the next step.”
- Tim Wharnsby: Top goal scorers since 2009: 1. Stamkos 192 2. Ovechkin 162 3. Marleau 136 4. Perry 134 5. Kessel 126 10. Moulson 118 18, Vanek 110
- Dobber Hockey: “Of Matt Moulson’s 223 points as an Islander, 196 of them came while John Tavares was on the ice with him.”
- Kevin Oklobzija: Sabres draft picks: 2014: 1st – (2) theirs & NYI. 2nd – (3) theirs, MN & LA … 2015 1st – (1) their own. 2nd – (3) their own, NYI, LA
- Kevin Snow: “With tonight’s trade, the Sabres will now have 17 total 1st & 2nd picks over a 4-yr span from 2012 thru 2015.”
Thoughts from twitter:
- Corey Pronman: “I have time for an argument that Vanek is better than Moulson, but substantially, or even moderately better? I’m not sure.”
- Michael Russo: “No contract extension between Isles/Vanek, agent Steve Bartlett confirms. Rental move for now. Again, Wild was never trading for Vanek!”
- Bob McKenzie: Islanders GM Garth Snow: “If we hadn’t drafted so well, if we didn’t have good prospects, we couldn’t afford to take the risk.”
- Gus Katsaros: “Vanek is the much better skater and injects a nice element of speed on the left side. Tavares isn’t the fleetest of foot either.”
- B.D. Gallof: “In terms of Vanek vs Moulson… Vanek is 70-80pt range player. Moulson was 60-70 with JT on line. desire is to add top tier talent with JT”
- mc79hockey: “Wow. In 330 minutes apart from Tavares, Moulson has a 40.7% Corsi% over last three years.”
- Katie Strang: “Islanders John Tavares and Matt Moulson both successful in their own right, but duo’s chemistry was undeniable. Two barely ever played apart”
- Brendan Ross: “FWIW, on @DobberHockey ‘s Top 300 Fantasy Rank, Vanek and Moulson are ranked 41st and 42nd, respectively.”
- Timo Seppa: “Isles shouldn’t extend Vanek, at least not yet. Right move IMO at this point is to stay flexible to either extend or flip later.”
- John Vogl: “This is an amazing trade for the Sabres if they can deal Moulson at the deadline for firsts and/or seconds in next draft.”
- Arpon Basu: “Plus, it’s not a given that Vanek will fit with Tavares, though it’s likely. Moulson’s chemistry with JT was cultivated and a sure thing.”
- Craig Custance: “Fair to criticize his on-ice product but the return Regier has gotten as a seller is substantial in Gaustad, Pominville & now Vanek trade.”
- Dennis Bernstein: “Sabres now have two assets in Miller and Moulson that can get them 1st round picks by deadline. Has to happen.”
- Corey Masisak: “If the Sabres had traded Thomas Vanek for a 1st- and 2nd-round pick, that would have been a good deal.”
- Bucky Gleason: “I have to hand it to Regier. Excellent work getting that much for Vanek. That said, Regier still should be fired. And so should Garth Snow.”
- Chris Botta: “Before anyone assumes Vanek is leaving Long Island, maybe you should let him hang with John Tavares for a few months first.”
- Arpon Basu: “I’ll never understand the Islanders”
- Patrick Kearns: “Vanek is better than MM but with that goaltending and suspect D depth the first and second doesnt make up the difference to me”
- Jason Brough: “I think for now I’ll keep Vanek on the list of guys who could be traded at the deadline. Also, Moulson.”
- Eric T: “For the record, I’m not so sure that signing Vanek to an extension that pays $8M from ages 31 to 38 will make it more of a win for NYI.”
- Corey Pronman: “I have time for an argument that Vanek is better than Moulson, but substantially, or even moderately better? I’m not sure. Being said I think the trade value is roughly fair. An edge to BUF maybe. (Ppl overestimate value of 1st rders). Don’t like timing for NYI.”
- Brian Huddle: “Don’t understand the desire to make that move. Unlikely Vane stays and Moulson has been excellent with Tavares.”
- Dennis Bernstein: “You never know but I’d be shocked if Moulson or Vanek signed an extension prior to July 1.”
- Todd Cordell: “Have to imagine the Sabres move Matt Moulson at the deadline. Doubt he wants to re-sign.”