Buffalo, NY ~ The Buffalo Sabres agreed to terms with first line winger Marian Gaborik. Gaborik has been a Sabre since October, 2004 when he was acquired from Minnesota. This season marks his 4th season with the Sabres, third full one, and this extension will keep him in Buffalo for 3 more after this year. Marion is only 25, so this contract will not take him to UFA, unless the CBA changes. However, this contract was not a bargain by any means for the Sabres. Gaborik will earn $7,000,000 per season each of the next three years, and also recieved a $5,250,000 bonus, for a total of $26.25 Million. That's an average just under $9 million per year.
Gaborik is the second Sabre to coime to terms during the season, as Ryan Miller agreed to a contract extension last month. The Sabres still have a lot of work to do, though, as they still have nearly half their roster scheduled to become free agents at the end of the season. At the forefront of that list is Sidney Crosby. rumor has it that the Sabres have already begun to informaly talk with Crosby's agent. Other noteables on that list are Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek, Chris Drury, Danius Zubrus, Jay McKee, Sean Hill, Aaron Miller, and Chris Simon.