NHL Trade Rumors: Buffalo Sabres Need Bobby Ryan More Than Philadelphia Flyers

The state of the Buffalo Sabres franchise is much worse than that of the Philadelphia Flyers.

That could change if the Sabres decide to make a play for Anaheim Ducks right winger Bobby Ryan.

According to Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News, the Sabres are interested in making a deal for the 25-year-old former No. 2 overall pick:

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The Sabres are still interested in making a deal for Bobby Ryan and were trying to put together an offer that would satisify [sic] both sides. A source close to Ryan confirmed to me today that Philadelphia also is interested and would be the more likely landing area for the Ducks' winger.

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Philadelphia being pegged as the more likely destination for Ryan is disheartening news for the Sabres' front office and fans, but we have learned to take free-agency reports with a grain of salt.

The fact of the matter is that nobody truly knows exactly what will happen until pen is put to paper and a deal is inked.

Philadelphia would benefit from Ryan's services, but they hardly need him. Last season, the Flyers had three right wingers atop their points list.

Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell notched 93 and 67 points, respectively, to lead the team. Jaromir Jagr finished third with 54 points, but his future as a free agent remains unclear.

Peter Laviolette's squad scored the second-most goals per game last season (3.2), and have plenty of pieces in terms of young firepower to get by without Ryan.

Buffalo, on the other hand, is substantially more desperate for a player like Ryan.

Right winger Jason Pominville led the team with 73 points. Drew Stafford, who also plays right wing, registered 50 points to finish third on the squad.

The Sabres need the one final piece to turn their team into a serious contender after missing the playoffs by three points last season.

There were only three players on the team last year who scored either 20 goals or registered 30 assists. By contrast, the Flyers had nine players who reached either total.

When teams become desperate for a player that will put them over the top, they often make a deal ahead of other not-so-desperate teams.

This is a situation that should pan out that way if the Sabres want to avoid missing the playoffs next season.