Four Possible Buffalo Sabres Trades

With the NHL Trade Deadline fast approaching, the Buffalo Sabres find themselves as of March 1 in ninth place and out of the playoffs.

In order to make the NHL Playoffs, I feel Darcy has to make moves he traditionally does not make and change the chemistry of this team.

In this article I am going to propose trades that I feel would help the Sabres improve their team for the present as well as the future.

This current team lacks leadership, heart and toughness. It is time to let some of the dead weight go so we can improve our team and contend for the Stanley Cup.

Trade Tim Connolly for Rostislav Klesla

The rumors have been circulating around the NHL about the Columbus Blue Jackets having a strong interest in acquiring Sabres center Tim Connolly.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Rostislav Klesla is the player that has been mentioned the most as the possible "trade bait".

Klesla would give the Sabres additional depth at the blue line, as well as a veteran defenseman who is still fairly young at 27 years of age.

Trading Connolly now would allow the Sabres to get something for him before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

As part of the trade, the Sabres should add Max Afinogenov to the mix, and get former Sabre Michael Peca back to help improve the leadership and heart department.

Kotalik and Paille for Hejduk

Ales Kotalik will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and I do not anticipate him back with the Sabres.

To help improve the Sabres scoring department, I would trade Ales Kotalik, former first round pick Daniel Paille and a conditional draft pick to the Colorado Avalanche for Milan Hejduk.

Hejduk, a former 50 goal scorer, would help improve the Sabres scoring as well as improve the veteran leadership on this team. His cap number is reasonable and he is signed through the end of next season.

Trade draft picks for May and Guerin

I would trade a fifth round pick to Toronto for Brad May and a third round pick to the NY Islanders for Billy Guerin.

Both of these players can provide the leadership needed to go advance through the playoffs, as well as mentor the young stars like Pominville, Roy and Vanek.

The presence of Brad May could make opposing teams think twice about running into the Sabres netminders. Andrew Peters is useless and should be sent to Portland.

A line with May, Mair and Kaleta would be effective by drawing penalties as well as generating "spark" when needed. Billy Guerin would also add to the leadership department and help improve this team.