Sabres Links: Vanek connected to gambling investigation, Ullmark's development, Franson signs one-year deal
The news about Vanek caught the attention of many yesterday, but his agent is adamant he is just being called in as a witness. The restaurant involved in the investigation is also co-owned by a former Sabre, Nathan Paetsch.
Sabres Links
- Former Sabre Thomas Vanek is connected to ongoing federal gambling investigation [WHEC 10]
- Linus Ullmark is developing into one of the Sabres top prospects [Buffalo Hockey Beat]
- Rebuilding Sabres boast size and skill in young forwards [NHL.com]
- Nicholas Baptiste continues to elevate his game [Sabres.com]
- Focus shifts towards U-20 tournament for young guns [Sabres Prospects]
Around The League
- Cody Franson and the Leafs avoided arbitration with a one-year, $3.3 million deal [TSN]
- Ryan O'Reilly asking for $6.75 million, while the Avalanche are countering with $5.5 million according to Ken Campbell [Twitter]
- Chris Kreider is asking the Rangers for $2.8 million, while New York would prefer closer to two million [Twitter]
- Vladimir Sobotka was awarded $2.7 million in arbitration, a one-year deal he'd have to honor if he returned from the KHL [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
- Leon Draisaitl expects to play in the NHL this season [Edmonton Journal]
- The Canadiens signed 2014 first-round pick Nikita Scherbak to an entry-level deal [Sportsnet]