- Bob McKenzie: The Sabres retained approximately $1.4 million (20 percent) of Thomas Vanek’s salary in the trade with the Islanders.
- Darren Dreger: The Sabres offer the Maple Leafs Vanek, along with retaining part of his salary. The Sabres offered Vanek to the Leafs three or four days ago, but were told that there was no deal to be made. Based on what the Sabres received for Vanek, it is clear that the Maple Leafs and other teams were not willing to pay a similar price.