I wouldnt give either of those guys max money. Theyre good they arent front office draws like an Ovechkin or a Jagr and neither really transcends a team by themselves and those are the only guys I see as worth max money. Theyre both good players, and in drury's case a solid leader who plays a peca-like all around game with more scoring touch so he'd be a more desired commodity imo.If the Sabres could sign Drury right now for 6/36 mil they would. I think Briere will be offered more than 5.5. Though I think Briere wants to be in Buffalo and Drury wants to be in Cali. With Ruff re-signed and Darcy expected to get a new deal soon; one of the guys will be signed before free agency, IMO. My feeling is they'll tell Drury they'll match any deal if he'll stay in Buffalo rather than go home to Cali. If he declines on that Briere will be back.
The thing about Briere who has been on the record to say he doesn't have to max out to stay in Buffalo is that he owes the NHLPA to max out. I don't think Drury will have a better offensive season than he had this past year. Though I think he ends up with the Kings/Sharks and the Sabres sign Briere.
By the way, as a side note, I thought Drury is from Connecticut since he was on the Little World series team from there.