In a move that takes them out of the Brad Richards sweepstakes, the Buffalo Sabres have signed left winger Vielle Leino to a six-year deal worth $27 million, according to a report by TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
Leino scored 19 goals and had 34 assists for the Philadelphia Flyers last season and the Sabres became all too familiar with him in the postseason. Leino scored three goals for Philadelphia, all in Flyers wins as they eliminated the Sabres in seven games during the first round of the playoffs.
The 27-year old broke out in the 2009-10 playoffs with seven goals and 14 assists in 19 games, which tied a NHL rookie record for postseason points.
Leino was rated as the second-best available forward in NHL free agency according to Yahoo Sports, behind only Richards.
Clearly, many fans had their hearts set on Richards, but Leino along with defensemen Robyn Regehr and Christian Ehrhoff has made for an exciting offseason. Plus, the Sabres are likely still to make a move or two.
There’s also a player or two currently on the roster who will have to go. Leino is a winger and the Sabres clearly still need a top six center. The team is now at around $4.7 million under the cap and if they hope to land a big center via trade, they’ll have to dump some salary.
We’ll have more details as they become available.
**UPDATE** Darcy Regier said that the team plans to use Leino at center and will still explore other moves.
It’s no longer a secret that the Buffalo Sabres are looking to add a first-line center when free agency begins this afternoon and have their hearts…and wallet set on Brad Richards. However, there will be stiff competition for Richards as the New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Toronto, Los Angeles and possibly Tampa Bay among others are ready to jump into the bidding war.
I’m not attempting to report anything groundbreaking this morning because frankly, it’s hardly a secret. I’ve talked to a pair of people with knowledge of operations inside the Buffalo Sabres organization and can confirm the rumors you’re hearing regarding Brad Richards are true. The Sabres have every intention on being major players for Richards and in fact, a source told me that owner Terry Pegula’s offer will exceed any financial incentive Richards would get anywhere else.
For those who know about the deal but not about the report, I want every reader of this site to know that it was Joe Pinzone from 
