Buffalo Sabres heading into the trade deadline

by CT
(also don't miss column 'the coronation of Terry Pegula' here)

Only five days away from the 2011 NHL Trade Deadline, the Sabres sit five points out of the final playoff spot. It seems like every time they have a chance to gain some serious ground and move into the top 8, they can't do it. It's like teams are trying to let them in and the Sabres just don't want to. This team has a serious dilemma on their hands. Do they buy and TRY to make a run when it is clear they probably won't get past the first round anyway? Or do they concede to the fact that they aren't a cup contender this year and sell off their dead weight? The answer is the latter. Drop the dead weight and as much as it sucks to be watching in April, it will be worth it for next year.

Sell/Drop: Tim Connolly, Jochen Hecht, Andrej Sekera, Jason Pominville, Rob Niedermayer, Patrick Kaleta, Paul Gaustad, Craig Rivet

Sorry, but all of these guys are either overpaid, just plain suck, or don't do a whole lot. Sorry but Kaleta doesn't do anything but charge guys with the occasional big hit. Yes, you need "energy" but he still goes out of the way to try and take someone's head off instead of focusing on an actual forecheck. I don't know if he would crack the top 12 on most squads. The town loves "Goose" but to me he has worn out his welcome.

As much as people will disagree with me and it will probably never happen, I would trade Ryan Miller or Tyler Ennis. You don't pay a goalie 6+ mil and expect to succeed. Look at the final 4 teams from last year- Philly, Montreal, San Jose, and Chicago. Philly paid both goalies like 3mil and then dropped their starter. Montreal traded Halak. San Jose said "Peace" to Nabokov, and Niemi was traded to San Jose. The trade value would be insane and you could possibly go to someone like Philly who has a plethora of talent. The value on Ennis will never be higher and shades of Afinogenov abound.

The plan moving forward has to change. Look at Philly, they went to the conference finals and they are adding to their squad, not blowing it up like Darc. He's got to go as he is the son of satan himself. It pisses me off that Pittsburgh seems to make whatever move they want, are in desperate need of forwards and we do nothing. We definitely could've used Gologoski or Neal but we again have nothing. In regards to Ruff, I respect him and I think he has done a great job but Lindy's gotta go. It's time for a change in every aspect of this organization. Blow it up and develop a winning atmosphere.

In order to be a contender, the Sabres need a legit #1 center, another top 6 forward, and 2 more defensemen- one offensive and one defensive. Because I don't think we'll drop all of the guys I listed above, my starting 20 next year looks like this:

LINE 1: #1 Center, Vanek, Grier
Worked when we had Drury, Roy and Grier
LINE 2: Roy, Stafford, Added Forward
Perfect for a 2nd line. The scoring would be great and they'd have a great match up advantage.
LINE 3: McCormick/Gaustad, Gerbe, Ennis
Pominville could be in here for Gaustad or McCormick and Ennis could play center. In order for Ennis to reach his full potential at this point, he needs to be on a 3rd or 4th line. They would skate circles around people and McCormick/Gaustad would add size/forecheck. Elevatae McCormick over Pommer though because he brings a better all around game.
LINE 4: Gaustad/McCormick, Pominville, Luke Adam
Bring Adam up and give him minutes on this line. It could be Gaustad, McCormick, Adam and we could have a true 4th line which helps out a lot come playoff time. The size is needed down to shut down other teams 2nd or 3rd line, beat em up, and give the top 3 lines a rest. Either way, Ennis is the only one that stays on line 3.

D1: Myers, Shutdown D Man
D2: Leopold, Offensive D Man
D3: Morrison, Weber
Extra D men- Butler, Montador- Montador could be traded for a prospect. Too many D men is better than not enough. The only DMen I'm comfortable with are Leopold and Myers. After that mix it up, it hasn't worked to this point.

The moral of the story is we need to do something different. People defend our players to the death. I am an eternal optimist but it's time for a change. Try something outside of the box and bring a damn championship to this town.