The Buffalo Sabres dropped out of the Brad Richards sweepstakes and instead jumped on the opportunity to sign Philadelphia Flyers UFA forward Ville Leino, inking him to a six-year, $27 million deal.

Although Richards is considered by many to be the prize catch of the 2011 NHL free agent market, the Sabres GM Darcy Regier felt he needed to make some sort of major move. Not wanting to be left empty-handed, he snagged Leino.

Leino is coming off his best season in the NHL, finishing with 19 goals and 53 points, both career highs. Also proven to be a factor in the playoffs, Leino scored seven goals and added 14 assists for 21 points in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Leino, a Finland native, is a reliable forward who was discovered by the Detroit Red Wings after originally going undrafted. He is known as a versatile player who can step into any of the forward positions, including the center spot where the Sabres appear to have some holes to fill.

Several other players left the Flyers over the past week including fan favorites Jeff Cater and Mike Richards who were shipped out by GM Paul Holmgren and Danny Carillo who was allowed to test the free agent market and signed with the Blackhawks.

Used with permission of the author.

Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.

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