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The NHL returns from the Olympic break in a few hours, and we're heading for a serious stretch of games. Simply put...you don't stop, until someone knocks you out.
The Sabres have already made the best acquisition in this little "trade window" between now and March 9th. Co-captain Daniel Briere is back with the team, practicing full bore, and planning on playing tomorrow night against the Atlanta Thrashers. Briere has missed months with a sports hernia, after starting the season as the team's best scorer. He's currently tied for 5th on the team in goals (partially a testament to the balance the Sabres have). He's played 24 games, and has 14. That's the kind of scoring touch that is nice to get back to start the stretch toward the playoffs.
I'd bet that he makes up the difference, and finishes the season as the team leader in goals.
*******
Now...the trade window is upon us, so I'll give you my takes, on YOUR offers:
We'll give you Derek Morris, Jeff Shantz, and Dean McAmmond for Drury. Wait, nevermind, been there, done that
sincerely, Disgruntled Avs Fan
Yeah...some people are proposing deals to get Drury...and it's just not happening. That trade with Calgary was the one that got things turned in the right direction for Darcy Regier and the Buffalo Sabres.
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Staios
Dvorak
2nd round pick or a choice of a minor leaguer (Not Schremp)
From Buffalo,
Biron @ 2.125 / Year
Afinogenov @ 1.1 / year
OR
Biron
Dumont
Russ
There are a few things at work here. The Sabres are interested in help on the blue line. Staios would help that, but Dvorak might not fit. Buffalo could use a guy that can grind, but the team is really solid at forward. There's depth and balance...and then there is Afineganov.
I think he can probably bring back the MOST value of just about anyone I'm willing to trade. He's a very talented player, with speed that can back off any defenseman in the league. However, for me...it's tough to get totally on board with him as a piece for the future. I take LOTS of heat for this...but I'm willing to see what he can get me. I think everyone else that sees Max, sees him once a month or so and says "Wow...that guy's dangerous!!!" Sometimes. He's playing the best hockey of his career, yet I'm still going to entertain any offer. I just don't think this one is good enough.
With Biron (and this will be a common theme), I think the deal is going to have to THRILL Darcy Regier. Biron's 13 game win streak went a long way with the Sabres. Consider this...if Ryan Miller gets hurt, how would you feel about a backup, who has a 13 game win streak under his belt. Pretty good. The playoffs are about your goaltender getting hot, and Biron has shown an ability to do so. He's not untouchable...but I think Regier will wait to see if one of his colleagues becomes the "desperate GM".
Dumont? He's not talked about much...it'd be a surprise to me if he were dealt
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Darcy wouldn't resign McKee if this happened, but wouldn't Tkatchuk look nice on a wing with Briere or Drury? I hope McKee gets resigned before the summer, and wouldn't Dallas Drake be a nice addition in Ottawa?
Cheers,
Chris in Hamilton
Drake and Tkachuk are two prized guys out there. Could Tkachuk come to Buffalo? Probably not. I think it'd be a really nice fit, if it were the Tkachuk that played in Torino. To me, it looked like he was trying to audition....almost saying, "I'm still good enough to make a difference. Trade for me"
With Drake...it might take a lot to get him. I don't think the Sabres are going to give away too much, to get a guy for 3 months. Things are going too well...
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Given that the Sabres have a ton of depth up front and a solid pipeline of young guys that are going to be ready to step in next year (Paille, Novotny, Thorburn, MacArthur, and hopefully Kaleta and Stafford are signed this summer), I think now is the time to trade a little youth for some more experience. There are rumors that Phoenix will dump CuJo and they might be shopping Shane Doan. Plus, Derek Morris (who's on IR with an ankle injury) is an UFA to be and if he's healthy, he'd be a nice upgrade on the Sabres
blueline.
So how about this:
To Buffalo:
Shane Doan
Derek Morris
To Phoenix:
Martin Biron
Dmitri Kalinin
Derek Roy
From what people tell me, and by people I mean Paul Hamilton who works at WGR with me...the Sabres aren't likely to part ways with Kalinin very easily. This was supposed to be Kalinin's year to establish himself as a #1 defenseman to build an entire blue line around. However, injuries have slowed that process, as well as Kalinin's own struggles to adjust. I don't think the Sabres are going to give up on him this early...but I'd bet there are offers in case they change their minds. Derek Roy is a player I like a lot. He's a pain in the ass for the opposition. He doesn't kill you on the scoresheet, but he can put you in the box because he just drives you nuts. Tossing these two guys in a deal for Doan makes it interesting. Doan is a perfect fit in my mind, but I'm not sure of the contract situation (if anyone knows, email me, and I'll edit this out). If it's a LONG contract, for a big number, then I wouldn't bet on it. I think the Sabres would LOVE to get Shane Doan...and I wonder what kind of relationship he might have with Daniel Briere, having played together in Phoenix.
Also, if the Sabres want some more veteran depth and want to toughen up the blueline, they could call up St Louis and start talking about a deal like this:
To Buffalo:
Barrett Jackman
Dallas Drake (UFA to be)
To St Louis:
Maxim Afinogenov
Rory Fitzpatrick
Draft Pick
The Sabres might have to give up a defenseman like Henrik Tallinder as opposed to Fitzpatrick, but it would be worth considering to get Jackman who would be protection in the event that the Sabres can't re-sign Jay
McKee this offseason.
James in Rochester
I don't think the Blues would be willing to give up Jackman. The Sabres do have an issue with McKee. Resigning him is very important, but that is a matter for the offseason. Rory Fitzpatrick doesn't have much trade value.
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