1). Top Line L/RW to complete Roy and Vanek.
2). Second line center that doesn't suck balls.
3). Either a talent upgrade from Paul Guastad and Jochen Hecht, or a cost downgrade.
4). Not Patrick Lalime.
5). A physical hustle guy to either replace Kaleta, or to complete McCormick and Kaleta.

As far as #1 & #2:
How about a go-to guy who is clutch? I know that's a tall order, but there isn't one successful team that doesn't have AT LEAST one of those. The Sabres haven't had that (consistantly) since you-know-who left.

As far as #3:
Cost cut won't win anything. How about a talent upgrade?

And #4:
Miller is a goaltender who WANTS to play 75 or so games a season. He SAID that a couple seasons ago. He said wanted he to pick Brodeurs brain to get some insight as to how to play at that level. If Miller has his way, a backup will not see much time in net. THAT is a MAJOR problem. it is a rare backup who plays so little but can come in and do well. Any backup will most likely need to catch that Portland shuttle often to stay fresh---just as Lalime did when he miraculously started played well when Miller was out last season.

And #5:
Ben Eager. Similar numbers as Kaleta & McCormick. Big guy. Price is right.

Not sure I can put things in a proper order but...

1) An entire second line. Connolly isn't the main problem but he's gone next season anyway. A real scoring LW besides Hecht would be nice along with players of Connolly and Pominville's skill, but with physicality that will crash the net/crease and try to score garbage goals. For now Pominville is struggling to regain form, Hecht is Hecht, and Connolly is not producing much with two marginal wingers and no desire to go hard to the net.

2) Another 3rd line center that isn't old, hurt, and past his prime.

3) A...PP...QB...D-MAN (how many years in a row will we go without one), and a #6 or #7 d-man that isn't Butler, preferably a #2 or #3 caliber d-man to go with someone that can run a PP.

A few other notes...I don't see much need for a top line RW because I think Vanek should stay as the RW with Ennis at LW. No need for another back-up goalie because Enroth has proven himself as next year's back-up and beyond.

Ennis-Roy-Vanek
???-Connolly (or replacement)-Pominville
Hecht-???-Grier (gone next season also?)
McCormick-Gaustad-Kaleta

Morrisonn-Myers
Leopold-Montador
Weber-???
???

Too many holes for this team to be a serious contender.

Why did you remove Sekera from the defense? He has been playing balls to the wall and is arguably Myers best defense partner. Also, PP-QB D-Men don't grow on trees.

Maybe this belongs in the trade forum, I don't know. I put it here because it's not so much about who we can bring in as it is what the current issues are.

What are the Sabres top needs in order of importance?

1). Top Line L/RW to complete Roy and Vanek.
2). Second line center that doesn't suck balls.
3). Either a talent upgrade from Paul Guastad and Jochen Hecht, or a cost downgrade.
4). Not Patrick Lalime.
5). A physical hustle guy to either replace Kaleta, or to complete McCormick and Kaleta.

Are you serious? Sekera is a 1 dimensional defenseman in the mold of Soupy Campbell but without the scoring touch. The guy is an absolute liability defensively. His erratic play and poor decisions, along with his getting so easily knocked off the puck, have really hurt this team. Hard to believe he won't be riding the pine soon.

Not sure I can put things in a proper order but...

1) An entire second line. Connolly isn't the main problem but he's gone next season anyway. A real scoring LW besides Hecht would be nice along with players of Connolly and Pominville's skill, but with physicality that will crash the net/crease and try to score garbage goals. For now Pominville is struggling to regain form, Hecht is Hecht, and Connolly is not producing much with two marginal wingers and no desire to go hard to the net.

2) Another 3rd line center that isn't old, hurt, and past his prime.

3) A...PP...QB...D-MAN (how many years in a row will we go without one), and a #6 or #7 d-man that isn't Butler, preferably a #2 or #3 caliber d-man to go with someone that can run a PP.

A few other notes...I don't see much need for a top line RW because I think Vanek should stay as the RW with Ennis at LW. No need for another back-up goalie because Enroth has proven himself as next year's back-up and beyond.

Ennis-Roy-Vanek
???-Connolly (or replacement)-Pominville
Hecht-???-Grier (gone next season also?)
McCormick-Gaustad-Kaleta

Morrisonn-Myers
Leopold-Montador
Weber-???
???

Too many holes for this team to be a serious contender.

Morrisonn and Myers didn't play well together at all.

I think we can all agree that we need a decent second line center. Roy is starting to break out to become that number one center we've needed for awhile. Hecht can't do the job, you can't depend on Connolly if he's going to be out with injuries and Gaustad isn't second line material. The only thing he can seem to do lately is win faceoffs consistently for us.

I'm sure there's a lot of guys in the NHL we could get for a small price, but it's just if Darcy realizes we need it. Which is probably an automatic no.