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Canandaigua, NY • United States • 29 Years Old • Male
I apologize for the brief moment of silence recently. I was battling some illness this week and I’m finally feeling back up to par. So in getting back into this, I figured I’d delve into the trade deadline, and what the Buffalo Sabres approach should be.

I’ve seen a lot of trade rumors circulating this team. Emphasis on rumor. I don’t put much stock in these things because 9 times out of 10, they don’t come to pass, or are just some concoction by the media. While they’re fun to follow, I’d rather wait for the actual deals come to be.

At this point in the season, things look very bleak for Buffalo. The problem is that in the past few years, Buffalo has been so close to making the playoffs, that management sees fit to say that they can keep their players, make only a few moves, and be comfortable going into the next season. Unfortunately, this season that’s not the case, and things have gotten very bad very quickly. As of right now, Buffalo is 5 points out of a playoff spot, and they’re 2nd to dead last in the entire NHL.

Yes, it is very tempting to try to fight for that last playoff spot and get the joy of going up against one of the top teams in the NHL. However, I personally think that while it would be nice to see Buffalo make it into the playoffs, they aren’t going to go anywhere if they do. This is not a Stanley Cup caliber team. This team would be eaten alive in the first round.

Based on this, I ask; What’s the point of trying to get into the playoffs when we know that the team isn’t good enough to actually succeed?

I think that Buffalo needs to become big sellers this year, and look towards the future. Pride needs to be swallowed, and this team needs to look to what it can accomplish in the future. The big three that are continually mentioned are Vanek, Pominville, and Miller.

First off, I’m fine with Pominville going. He’s a great player, but he’s not designed to be the captain of this team. Out of those three, Pominville is who I’d prefer to see go. I wasn’t a big fan of him becoming captain, and I just feel that Buffalo needs a better leader in the locker room. Buffalo can get a good return for Pominville, that should at least include a first round draft pick, and 1-2 young prospects. Vanek I’m on the fence about. He’s second on my list of players that I could see Buffalo parting with. Miller, while I’m not happy about it, he’s the last I’d like to see go. I feel that rebuilding starts with the goalie and goes out from there.

All of these players though can fetch a first round draft pick, and some prospects. Not one or the other, both.There’s not doubt in my mind about this. I’d like to see Vanek stay for leadership purposes, and that he’s good to develop young players. Miller, I’d like to see stay because Buffalo doesn’t have that go to goalie yet. Enroth isn’t it at this point in time. While Buffalo has some good kids in the farm system, they aren’t ready to come up to the big time yet. Plus, good teams stem from the goalie outwards. Miller is the anchor right now, and I don’t think that he should be shipped off at this point.

Other players can be moved, in order to bring in good young prospects to help rebuild this team. If Buffalo does this, the turn around may be a little faster than expected. If a team does it right, the rebuilding process doesn’t have to take 14 years like the other Buffalo sports franchise.

In order for this to happen, management needs to accept that slapping a band aid on this team just isn’t good enough anymore. There’s nothing wrong with accepting that this season is in the loss column, that you took a gamble and lost.

There is something wrong with denying it, and just trying to make 1 or 2 moves that will “better” the team, but not get them closer to the goal of winning a Stanley Cup.

Follow me on Twitter- @SabresBTB
March 15, 2013 1:08 AM ET | Delete
I think regher would get good return, lots of teams looking to make a playoff run would want him. Detroit or LA would give up a 1st prospect (LAs in 2014) for a reliable defensive dman.
March 15, 2013 9:22 AM ET | Delete
Spot on....Agree 100%.
March 15, 2013 9:44 AM ET | Delete
I would like to see them trade Vanek, Enroth, Sekera, Regher to the Kings for Bernier, Penner, Stoll or prospect. this would give them their franchise goalie going forward. just taking Penner to give some cap relief to Kings.
March 15, 2013 10:01 AM ET | Delete
I agree with Miller. You need a top center for Vanek. He has 30 points without one this year just imagine what you could get. Enroth could be valuable in a trade for say the islanders who will need a cheap starter once Nabokov is done. I agree regehr could fetch them some future assets. Oh yeah, use a compliance buyout on Ville Leinon ASAP.
March 15, 2013 10:47 AM ET | Delete
Trade regehr to L. A. For Bernier, add picks....send Miller anywhere for a player and picks. Trade Pominville to Colorado for a center. Release Hecht...no value!
March 15, 2013 4:02 PM ET | Delete
You are an idiot Miller must go! Tell me a goalie that gives more dirty looks and blames everybody but himself? He had one good year and has been awful in BIG GAMES down the stretch! Get rid of the POS!
March 15, 2013 5:36 PM ET | Delete
Message Posted
March 15, 2013 7:22 PM ET | Delete
Do not be surprised if we see all 3 still here at the deadline. That is how this team has moved and Darcy could lose his job over it.
March 15, 2013 11:09 PM ET | Delete
This Brennan move is borderline reta- You get the idea.
March 15, 2013 11:32 PM ET | Delete
March 16, 2013 8:31 AM ET | Delete
Any real change will come at the draft hopefully with a new GM aka Dudley
March 17, 2013 12:50 PM ET | Delete
I honestly think maybe he did not fit in with this group. If he does you no good, why keep him. Mark Pysyk debuts tonight. I do not expect huge things but based on his Rochester performance, Pysyk is a smart defenseman, excellent skater and passer, making up for his lack of size. It will help to have another right-handed shot on the blueline as well.
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