I'm kickin it in sunny suburban Buffalo right now where the Sabres just finished their pre-Islanders practice at the center formerly known "Pepsi". The mud and monster truck show has invaded HSBC Arena.
The morning after scoring the GWG vs. Carolina, Drew Stafford did not skate today. Lindy Ruff held the 15 goal scorer out so that he could do some healing and maintenance. Stafford missed games earlier in the season due to a wonky shoulder. He's recovered nicely from the injury. He now has scored five goals in the past six games. He's only one puck behind Vanek for the team goal scoring lead.
Staff will be A-OK to skate on Lawng Oiland on Saturday night.
Now seems like a logical time for Darcy Regier to get to work on re-upping Stafford for future years. The No Dak rocker's deal is coming to its conclusion, meaning, he'll be RFA this Summer. Stafford has 15 grapefruits and 8 apples this season in 23 games. Stafford has three game winners as well as six PPG.
Regier would be wise to lock up his former first rounder now, because it would appear to this observer and others, that Stafford will command some interest from Eastern and Western teams as the trade deadline draws closer.
Injuries aside, Stafford has been a productive player for Lindy Ruff in his Buffalo tenure.
In 06/07, he scored 27 points in 41 games. In 07/08, he banged in 16/22 in 64 games. He had his best season in 08/09 when he pounded 20/25 in 79 games. Last season in chipped in 14/20 in 71 games.
Stafford too a different approach to his off ice Summer training regime this past Summer and its helping him to be a better player, later in games this season. Staff told me recently that he rode his bike and shed 12-15 pounds and excess body weight, rather than adding muscle mass. The result is that he has better lung capacity and core strength that nicely augment his fast feet and soft hands.
It appears that Stafford's best offensive days are ahead of him. He could score 25-30 golas this season. He's only 25, and I know that Regier and Ruff are still very high on him.
Keeping Stafford and playing him with Ennis, Adam, Kassian, Foligno, Goose, McCormick, Pominville, Roy, and Vanek makes good business sense to me.
Staff will have leverage and he wiill be looking to apply it. Will the Sabres let this one get away or will they lock him up long term?
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