Five Players the Buffalo Sabres Should Look for at the Trade Deadline

March 4 is the day of the trade deadline across the NHL.

As of February 16,  the Buffalo Sabres are sitting in the eighth spot of the Eastern Conference, with three points away from the fifth spot.

Buffalo's play this season has drawn similar comparisions to last year's team: inconsistency.

Thomas Vanek, Henrik Tallinder, Max Afinogenov, and Paul Gaustad are all on the shelf, for a substantial amount of time, and this team is not good enough to win without a few tweaks to the roster.

Call-ups from Portland are not going to save this team. There are five players that I think the Sabres should give a look at:

5) Keith Tkachuk

Team: St. Louis Blues

Position: LW

Age:36

Tkachuk adds veteran leadership to a team that has minimal veterans as it is (Rivet, Numminen) and would add an instant spark to a lineup that has minimal veterans up front. 34 points this season, is great numbers for a cheap rent-a-player. ($940,000)

4) Colby Armstrong

Team: Atlanta Thrashers

Position: RW

Age: 26

Armstrong would fit nicely on Buffalo's second or third line. He could size to a smaller Buffalo team (6'2", 195 lbs.). He is an excellent high-motor guy who can be a very clutch player and add solid secondary scoring to the Sabres. 15 goals, 25 points.

3) Michael Nylander

Team: Washington Capitals

Position: Center

Age: 36

Big contract, but if Buffalo is able to get rid of Hecht and Afinogenov, they will be able to dump off much needed dead salary, and Buffalo is in need of a scoring center. Nylander is having an off year, but has plenty of playoff experience.  His added scoring up the middle would help Buffalo.

2) Bill Guerin 

Team: New York Islanders

Position: Right Wing

Age: 38

Buffalo needs help up front, and adding leadership for a playoff run would benefit Buffalo. His scoring would would help too, because players like Jochen Hecht are not getting it done.

1) Brendan Witt

Team: New York Islanders

Position: Defense

Age: 33

Brendan Witt may be one of the most overlooked defenseman in the league. This a player that leaves everything he's got out on the ice. Fighter, great hitter, kills penalties, great leader for the younger guys to look up for. Pair him up with captain Craig Rivet and many teams will have a tough time getting past those two.

GM Darcy Regier has always had this guy on his target list since his days in Washington, and I think now is the perfect time to pick up the veteran 6'2", 223-lb. defenseman.