Some Sabres Could Be On The Move as NHL Trade Deadline Approaches

Hey guys, new to the blog. I think trading MacArthur for as little as 2 sticks and a puck to be named later would be an improvement to the roster.

I came across a rumor about a week ago on ESPN that had Craig Rivet going to Los Angeles for Alexander Frolov… I’d love that deal, but don’t really believe it. Rivet has been struggling and the Sabres would need to move a contract to obtain a player of significant value. However, Frolov doesn’t appear to be a “Lindy Ruff kind of player” if you know what I mean?

Other names I’ve read quite a bit about as possibilities for the Sabres: Ray Whitney (W), Jeff Halpern ©, James Wisniewski (D), Dan Hamhuis (D), Garnett Exelby (D), Alex Ponikarovsky (W), Lee Stempniak (W), Martin Biron (G), Jordan Leopold (D), Nathan Horton (C/W), and Raffi Torres (W).

Obviously, the Sabres would only target 2 or possibly 3 (if Biron included) guys from that list. Realistically, Horton and Hamhuis will likely cost more than Regier is likely looking to pay in return. I’d love to see either play for Buffalo, but Regier typically makes deals where he has the leverage… those two will have too many suitors for that to be the case. Something about Halpern screams Regier-move all over it. Regier loves acquiring Centers and Halpern would be a perfect 3rd line center for this team. When Tampa first acquired him from Dallas, he went off with 18 points (10 goals) in his final 19 games of 2008. He’s a righthanded shot and plays equally well at both ends of the ice… and brings passion and grit every game. With Kennedy struggling and Gaustad more suited for a 4th line Center role or 3rd line winger, Halpern seems very likely.

If the Sabres were to move Rivet or Lydman, I could see them making a move for Wisniewski. Regier went hard after him before the Blackhawks sent him to Anaheim at last year’s deadline. He would be a solid addition to Buffalo’s blueline. Personally, I’d love to see Hamhuis… but he’d likely be a rental and cost too much to acquire for only a limited time. IF Regier doesn’t ship out a regular D-man, then Exelby may be a nice addition and he could probably get him from Toronto for Paetsch or a mid-round draft pick. Exelby is one tough competitor, but I’m not sure he skates well-enough to play in Ruff’s system. With Sekera’s play taking off in the Olympics, maybe adding a guy like Exelby as a 7th defenseman would work?

As for the wingers: Whitney, Stempniak, Torres and Ponikarovsky? I’m not one to think Buffalo needs another guy on the smallish side of things, but Whitney would be a tremendous veteran addition to this team. He would definitely add the offense needed for Buffalo to put out 2 top scoring lines every night… lines that actually produce, not just listed as a scoring line because they get more ice time. While I can easily envision Whitney developing instand chemistry with Connolly, Ponikarovsky would be a nice addition to put opposite of Vanek. Ponikarovsky would balance the size better opposite of Pominville, but his defensive play would give Vanek more freedom to “cheat up” on the backend. Stempniak and Torres would both be perfect on a third line with Grier (and maybe Halpern). They each bring a great intensity level and physical side to the game, while also making nice offensive contributions with limited ice time. These guys are “gamers” like Grier, with more offensive upside.

Now that I’ve spent my time discussing the guys I’ve read about, it will probably be a waste of time and the Sabres will acquire a guy or two not even mentioned in my recap or any of the media I’ve come across. For what it’s worth, I also hope the Sabres can acquire Biron but that they can also find a home for Lalime. Even if it means he heads to New York as part of the deal. Either way, I think they’ll likely go with Enroth as the backup next year. He’s playing much better lately and will probably provide a cheaper option than a veteran reserve.

Frankly, I don’t see a trade happening. At least not with any of the players above. I think Regier will stand pat with the team as it is because he doesn’t have much of a choice. I would like to see Vanek traded, but that isn’t going to happen with the ridiculous contract he has no team is going to want a 19-goal scorer with a 50-goal scorer salary.

I also think Regier should be making plans for next year, because this year’s Sabres will be lucky to make the playoffs. Even if the they do make the playoffs, they will drop out after the first round. The chemistry and talent are just not there.

They won those games before the trip out West. Now that the competition has ramped up in intensity, they are fading into obscurity, because there is no team leader on the ice. Without the greatest goalie in the World, they would be struggling to stay out of last place.

I would like to see them take care of the back up goalie situation.