Buffalo Sabres sign Ville Leino 6 yr $27 mil

by Steve

It is no Brad Richards, although I did not want him any way, but Ville Leino and his $4.5 mil for the next six years is a consolation prize. He allegedly will play center but he isn't the top line center most Sabres fans dreamed of.

It seems Buffalo over paid for the former Flyer (then again anyone remember OT game 6 in Buffalo?). Leino will be 28 before the season starts and hasn't had a prolific career thus far. Who knows maybe he will be another diamond in the rough but are we really expecting him to have more points on a line with say Stafford and Ennis than without Hartnell and Briere? Eek.

Also it appears the Sabres never even met with Richards and his posse. What gives? I thought Pegula and co were gonna go all out guns blazing for the guy? At 31 he wasn't all that desirable paying a guy coming off an injury plagued season and on the down slope of his career.

Bottom line the Sabres had few options, appear to have spent a little too much but are far better than they were ten days ago. The onus now falls on Ryan Millsie Miller and Lindy Ruff to prove they can do something they haven't been able to before, win.