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Vanek: ‘I didn’t ask to be traded’

Buffalo Sabres v Boston Bruins

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 31: Thomas Vanek #26 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates a second-period goal against the Boston Bruins during a game at the TD Garden on January 31, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)

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Sabres fans might be able to breathe a little easier today. Thomas Vanek isn’t looking to be traded.

Vanek spoke with reporters in Buffalo and said he has no idea where the talk of him wanting to be moved came from and that he’s happy to wait and see what the season brings. WGR’s Paul Hamilton shares the story.

“I never asked to be traded so when people do mention it, I’m surprised. Did I think I was going to get traded, no because I never once went in there and said I don’t want to be here. I said, ‘Right now I’m not looking for an extension, but not saying that I wouldn’t want one down the road, but right now I just want to see where it goes’.”

All right, so maybe breathing easier won’t totally happen, but at the very least Vanek isn’t looking to get out of town right away. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and he said he wants to keep his options open. One thing he’s said is he doesn’t want to stick around for a long rebuild.

GM Darcy Regier’s options are to either extend him or deal him before the deadline before possibly losing him for nothing. That’s the same situation goalie Ryan Miller is in as well. If either player is to be moved, plenty of teams will want in on them for the right price.

Related: Vanek preparing for season in Buffalo, but admits situation not ‘best-case scenario’

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