Myers signs seven-year, $38.5M extension with Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Two years ago, defenceman Tyler Myers was a fresh-faced 19-year-old unsure if he was even going to make the Buffalo Sabres season-opening roster.

On Thursday, Myers' future in Buffalo was secured through the 2019-2020 season after he signed a US$38.5 million, seven-year contract extension.

"I'm very excited today to solidify a long-term spot and be a part of this organization as it grows," Myers said. "It's somewhere I want to be for the rest of my career. And I'm still young."

Convinced that Myers, the NHL's 2009 rookie of the year, has the potential to be one of the league's elite defenceman, the Sabres wasted no time in locking up the player a year before his three-year rookie contract expired.

"We wanted to recognize Tyler not only for his abilities now, but his abilities in the future," said general manager Darcy Regier, who opened talks only two weeks ago. "It has been nothing short of a terrific start to what I think will be an outstanding career."

Myers will make $12 million in 2011-12, $6 million in 2012-13, $5 million in 2014 and 2015, $4 million in 2016-17, $3.5 million in 2017-18 and $3 million in 2018-19.

At six-foot-eight, Myers is the NHL's second tallest player behind Bruins captain Zdeno Chara. And in two seasons, the Sabres' 2008 first-round draft pick has shown he has a fluid-skating style that belies his size, while also possessing an offensive knack.

Myers has 21 goals and 64 assists for 85 points in 162 career games. Though he struggled both on offence and defence in opening his sophomore season last year, Myers bounced back to lead Buffalo defencemen with 37 points (10 goals, 27 assists) and finish with a respectable zero plus-minus rating.

Myers acknowledged there's many things he can improve upon, while adding the new contract allows him the opportunity develop into a team leader.

"I wanted to do that before we even started negotiating this contract," Myers said. And he'll have a mentor, playing alongside newly acquired defenceman veteran Robyn Regehr, who Myers idolized while growing up in Calgary.

Myers' deal was reached a day before Sabres players report for the start of training camp. And it's the latest aggressive move made by what's become a free-spending franchise since Terry Pegula purchased the Sabres in February.

Buffalo has already made several splashes this off-season to improve a team that finished seventh in the Eastern Conference and was bounced in the first-round of the playoffs by Philadelphia in a seven-game series.

The team traded for the rights to defenceman Christian Ehrhoff and then signed him to a $40 million, ten-year contract a day before the start of free agency. The Sabres then opened free agency by signing dependable two-way forward Ville Leino to a $27 million, six-year contract.

And don't forget the draft-weekend trade with Calgary, in which the Sabres acquired Regehr and forward Ales Kotalik.

Those moves contributed to putting the Sabres' payroll about $3 million over the NHL salary cap, which is allowed during the off-season. That leaves the team until the start of the season next month to make moves to get below the cap.

Regier said it's his intention to open cap space by making trades, and has already had discussions to determine what options might be available.

Pegula has made no secret of his desire to win a Stanley Cup as soon as possible, and is more than willing to open his pocketbook to reach that objective.

"I think it tells the guys that we mean business," Pegula said of the string of off-season moves. "We had some things we needed to address, and we have a timeline. So why wait two years to do it, or three? We've tried to take care of immediate needs early."

Pegula's influence is apparent to Myers.

"As teammates, it's in our discussions daily, how excited we are with what's happening in Buffalo," Myers said. "It's amazing and motivating."

Notes: Regier ruled out the chance of opening contract talks this fall with forward Tyler Ennis, who enters the final season of his rookie three-year contract. ... Extensive renovations of the Sabres player area at their newly renamed First Niagara Center won't be completed for another three weeks, meaning Buffalo will use an auxiliary locker-room for its two home pre-season games. ... The Sabres open the regular season with two games in Europe before returning for their home-opener against Carolina on Oct. 14.

View the original article here

Arsenal signs Benayoun, Arteta after defensive additions

LONDON -- Arsenal strengthened its struggling squad on transfer deadline by signing midfielders Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun along with defenders Andre Santos and Per Mertesacker.

The urgency to spend some of the cash brought in from Barcelona for Cesc Fabregas and from Manchester City for Samir Nasri came after a dismal start to the season.

Just one point has been collected from Arsenal's first three league matches, including an 8-2 rout by Manchester United on Sunday.

And manager Arsene Wenger abandoned his usual policy of signing emerging talent by capturing experienced players.

Arteta, the 29-year-old Spaniard who is leaving Everton after six years, signed a four-year Arsenal deal.

New teammate Jack Wilshere tweeted: "Brilliant signing! Welcome to Arteta! Great day all round."

The 31-year-old Benayoun has joined on a season-long loan Chelsea after missing six months of his debut season after rupturing his Achilles' on international duty with Israel.

Santos, Brazil's 28-year-old left back, joined for C7 million ($10 million) from Turkish champion Fenerbahce.

"Santos is a quality player, with the ability to both defend well and get forward and help with attacks," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "He has experience in the Champions League and for Brazil and has proven he can deliver at the highest level."

"It was one of my dreams to play for a major European football club and I have accomplished this," Santos said after signing an undisclosed long-term contract. "I am very happy to be part of this team. All the Brazilians who came to this club spoke wonders about it and I am delighted to be part of the Arsenal family."

The 26-year-old Mertesacker joined from Werder Bremen on a contract through to 2015, the Germany centre back said.

"He is a German international with vast experience and strength and is good on the floor and in the air," Wenger said. "I believe he will be well-suited to the Premier League and a tremendous asset to the team."

Meanwhile, Arsenal has sent Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell on loan to French club Lorient until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old striker has only just joined Arsenal from Deportivo Saprissa but the north London club wants him to get first-team experience in France.

View the original article here

Gore signs $21M, three-year contract extension with 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO -- Frank Gore has long tried to pattern himself after Hall of Famer Barry Sanders, who played his entire 10-year career with the Detroit Lions.

Gore has seen other great running backs move from team to team while evolving into NFL stars -- and he never wanted to be one of them.

Loyal to the San Francisco 49ers since the day they drafted him in 2005 in the third round out of Miami, Gore hoped to stay put with the same franchise for the long haul, for his career.

That's what he plans to do now.

Gore signed his three-year contract extension with the Niners on Wednesday, keeping the two-time Pro Bowl running back with the team through 2014. He acknowledged it's a relief to no longer have the future weighing on his mind as he prepares for the regular season.

"The team stepped up and showed they wanted me to be here for my whole career," Gore said. "You rarely see running backs get to finish their career with the team that drafted them. I can say I'm one of them. ... It's a blessing that I'm a Niner, and I'm happy."

Gore agreed Tuesday to the US$21 million deal, with $13.5 million in guaranteed money. In what was to be the final year of his contract, Gore had hoped to land a new deal before the Niners' Sept. 11 season opener at home against the defending NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks -- and he got it.

He has flourished in San Francisco, all the way across the country from his Miami home.

The 28-year-old Gore missed the final five games of 2010 after fracturing his right hip in a Monday night game at Arizona on Nov. 29. He is fully healthy and begins his seventh NFL season third on San Francisco's all-time rushing list, needing 931 yards to become No. 1.

While Gore has said it is one of his goals to pass the late Hall of Famer Joe Perry as San Francisco's career leader in yards rushing (7,344), he is determined to first do all he can to help turn the franchise back into a contender under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh.

The 49ers finished 6-10 last season after a surprising 0-5 start, failing to reach the playoffs or post a winning record for the eighth straight year.

"We haven't been having winning seasons but the fans have been 100 per cent behind us," Gore said. "I see Coach Harbaugh and this coaching staff, they're football guys. I have no doubt, I know we can get it done. I know we have talent in that locker room, probably more than any NFL team."

Harbaugh on Tuesday called Gore a "true 49er."

Gore's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, met face to face with the 49ers brass at team headquarters for much of the day Monday. Gore considered that progress, not to mention the fact general manager Trent Baalke and team President Jed York had said they wanted Gore to be a "49er for life."

Gore said he even spoke to Baalke about working for the organization when he's done playing.

During this process, when Gore clearly became anxious at times, he took his bosses on their word -- that they did indeed want No. 21 to stick around.

"Just knowing they wouldn't say anything unless it's true," Gore said. "I knew (Baalke) wouldn't say it if he didn't mean it. Since I've been here, they've been true to me."

Gore didn't play in last Saturday's 30-7 loss to the Houston Texans, and Harbaugh wouldn't say whether he would play in Thursday night's exhibition finale at San Diego. It's nothing new for him to sit, as Gore has rarely played during the pre-season in the past.

Gore held out for the first four days of training camp, but hasn't shown any signs of being behind or hindered by the hip. He insists he is ready to go and feels like the "22-year-old Frank Gore" again.

Gore had sought a contract comparable to the $43 million, five-year deal running back DeAngelo Williams -- 20 days older than Gore -- recently received from the Carolina Panthers. That includes $21 million guaranteed. Williams missed the final 10 games last year with a sprained right foot.

Gore ran for 853 yards and three touchdowns last year before getting hurt. He also caught 46 passes for 452 yards and two TDs. His 24 100-yard rushing games are the most in 49ers history.

Gore follows two other 49ers stars to receive big contracts before the start of a new season.

Tight end Vernon Davis signed a five-year extension worth $37 million overall, including $34 million guaranteed, a night before the 2010 season opener at Seattle. That made him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.

In May of last year, All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis received a $50 million, five-year contract extension that takes him through the 2016 season and includes $29 million in guaranteed money. He earns $10 million per season.

Gore and the rest of the 49ers will wear Perry's No. 34 on their helmets this season. Perry, the first player with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and nicknamed "The Jet" for his sensational speed, died in April at age 84.

"Hopefully (I'll) get my name on the 10-year wall and break some more records out here," Gore said.

And Gore isn't ready to say he will call it a career when he hits the 10-year mark. He still has a chip on his shoulder from being a third-round pick, always eager to keep proving himself with his rigorous off-season workouts and attention to detail.

Even in practice, he tacks on a few extra yards to each carry.

"If my body's feeling good, I would love to play more," he said. "Because I love the game of football."

View the original article here