Vanek’s Final Hurrah? Thomas Vanek is in the final year of his contract with Buffalo.
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With an eye towards retaining Thomas Vanek, the Sabres named their top finisher co-captain with Steve Ott. The 28-year old Vanek is entering his final year of a long-term contract that pays him $7.1 million this season. In eight seasons with Buffalo, his 250 goals place sixth on the all-time Sabres list. If he scores 18 goals, he’ll move up to fourth past popular Sabres Craig Ramsay and Daniel Gare.

Including last year, he’s scored 20 or better every season. A two-time 40-goal scorer, Vanek’s one of the most overlooked talents in the game. Playing in obscurity helps. Since consecutive Conference Final runs in ’06 and ’07, Buffalo has fallen on hard times. They’ve missed the playoffs the last two years and three of the last five. Buffalo hasn’t been out of the first round since Daniel Briere and Chris Drury departed. Now, Briere will make his debut with the Canadiens tonight when the season opens while Drury is retired. How times change.

All indications are that Vanek will leave. A potential trade candidate, he could go at next year’s deadline. Much depends if the Sabre youth movement works. A young roster that could include several players under 25 will be severely tested in the newly formed Atlantic. A division which features East heavies Boston, Detroit and Ottawa. Montreal and Toronto play tonight. Both made the postseason. Aside from the Red Wings coming over, Florida and Tampa Bay are also new making it a compelling division. Vanek will need help from the likes of Drew Stafford, Cody Hodgson, Tyler Ennis, Ott and Ville Leino. Already Marcus Foligno is hurt and starts the season on the injured list. That’s one young player they’re expecting more from. Does second-year man Mikhail Grigorenko make an impact? Johan Larsson could be someone to watch.

If they are to go anywhere, Tyler Myers better rediscover the game that won a Calder. Still only 23, the big righty has the tools but not the level of consistency. In many aspects, he’s comparable to the Rangers’ Michael Del Zotto. The biggest difference is Buffalo relies a lot more on Myers. Can the return of vet Henrik Tallinder revive him? Number one pick Rasmus Ristolainen seems to have made the roster. The Finn is 18 and a building block for the future. Newcomer Jamie McBain should bring some skill to the blueline.

Vanek might be joined by Ryan Miller. If Vanek’s been Buffalo’s best offensive player, then Miller has been the backbone in net. Now 33, he’s entering his 11th year. Hard to believe he once had the Sabres within an eye lash of the Stanley Cup Final. If only that team’s blueline wasn’t so depleted. In 2010, it was Miller Time for Team USA with the charismatic goalie backstopping them to silver in Vancouver. If only Sidney Crosby hadn’t beaten him. Miller has played in exactly 500 games for Buffalo. The most in franchise history along with 269 wins. Thirty-five more than a guy named Dominik Hasek, who remains the club leader in shutouts (55). Miller is next with 28.

Now, both Vanek and Miller could be playing their final year with the only organization they’ve known. A sad tale that Sabre fans have grown accustomed to. Unless there’s a surprise season that allows the team to challenge for the postseason, it looks like the end of an era. Even with Vanek wearing the ‘C.’