The Buffalo Sabres have been a confusing team over the past few weeks, alternating between closing in on the playoffs and closing in on a top draft pick. Last night’s loss to Tampa Bay not only leaves them trailing further behind the eighth seed, but closer to the impending trade deadline.
Regardless of whether you think the Sabres will be buyers or sellers on April 3rd, they will certainly make some type of deal(s). One week out, let’s take a look at the rumors that have been floated out so far.*
*Please remember, these are rumors, and nothing more. Just because players are “on the block”, doesn’t mean they’re going anywhere. This article is for the fun of speculation, and nothing more. Basically, just don’t get all antsy in your pantsy about trading Myers.
Everyone Is Available
According to reports from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, basically everyone on the Sabres roster is available for the right price. Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek, Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, all can be had if the return is enough. This is a significant change from previous deadlines, when we heard, either officially or through the grapevine, that certain players or prospects were essentially untouchable. Whether it’s Regier or Pegula that is driving this new open mentality is unclear, but it certainly makes the speculating more interesting for Sabres fans.
Sabres Target Tyler Toffoli?
A report came out from The Fourth Period yesterday saying that the Sabres and Kings have been talking about dealing Robyn Regehr, and the Sabres reportedly have asked what the price would be on young center Tyler Toffoli. One of the Kings top prospects, Toffoli is a 20-year old center with decent size and plenty of skill and potential to grow into a top role. He would fit right in to the Sabres stable of young, talented pivot men, along with Hodgson, Ennis, and Grigorenko.
Market For Defensemen Being Set
The Penguins sudden moves this week not only added some early excitement to trade season, but they helped establish the market for solid rental defensemen – two second round picks. The Sabres have had three names along the blue line pop up again and again over the past few weeks – Robyn Regehr, Jordan Leopold, and Tyler Myers. They’ll all fetch different prices, but let’s take the Penguins market value assessment and go from there.
Drew Stafford Would Welcome Trade
According to The Fourth Period, sources within the Sabres organization say that Drew Stafford would welcome a trade out of Buffalo. (Note: Stafford has not publicly asked for a trade.)
According to one source, “He would welcome a move. . . . would do him some good.”
Stafford has struggled this season, while making plenty of money and wearing a letter. However, there are certainly teams out there who think that a change of scenery could bring the former 30-goal scorer back in to form. At only 27, Stafford still has many productive years left ahead of him, provided he can find his scoring touch once again.
If there are any rumors we missed, let us know in the comments, otherwise, have at it, Sabres fans.