I totally agree plus I will add this both will command more than Regier or most teams will be willing to give up.

Total agreement with this statement. Only way he moves is someone overpay's.

Stastny has been on the Sabres' for over two years now. He is the center we need.

Richards is good, but will need to be extended if we acquire him.

No doubt Darcy Regier must acquire the point producing playimaking impact first line center we need. If he fails, which he has done before, his general managing duties will be relieved, knowing another position in the organization will be awaiting him.

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Let's go Buffalo!

I agree that Richards is not in Buffalo's plans (at least right now). Stastny may very well not be going anywhere either, aside from a ransom offer. Problem is, Buffalo has, and is looking at again next season, a huge gaping hole at center. Regier might need to overpay for a top center. I wouldn't be against throwing two or three 2011 draft picks along with a player and/or prospect.

With Richards as the only legit UFA center, and commanding a GIGANTIC salary because of it, and because he probably doesn't want to play in Buffalo anyway, I doubt we'll be serious contenders in the summer. That means finding somebody by trade, so whether that's Weiss or Stastny or some other center that's going to cost a sack of gold, it's got to happen if the Sabres are going to contend next season. I would throw any pending UFA, Gerbe, Mancari, Byron, Adam, Kassian, Foligno, Butler, Sekera, Gragnani, McNabb, Enroth, and any amount of draft picks to get that top center. Any combination that would suffice instead of trading away Myers, Weber, Ennis, or maybe Stafford.

If we have a repeat of this season with Regier staying, he is gone. Overpaying for that center, if necessary, is okay to fill that gaping hole.

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Let's go Buffalo!

Why the fuck is Stafford always off limits?

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

I wouldn't say he's off limits, I'd just try to make him one of the last players available considering all the time we've waited for a top RW besides Pominville.

If Pominville and Stafford were on other teams, what lines would they be on?

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Let's go Buffalo!

I agree with most of this... and there are players in your list that are off limits to me (ZAK, Foligno)... and players Id be happy to add on to that list...

here is my question though, simply because I don't know enough about the talent around the NHL... Obviously, we have a gaping hole at C and have for a while... and I have only heard a few top names mentioned and the anal assaulting we will take to grab one of those guys...

BUT! If Darcy believes he can get away with Roy as the 1C ... build the wings around him and bring in a 2C that may be a little more unknown... maybe a guy buried on a roster... or a guy who needs a change of scenery...

Maybe I am making to much of differentiation between a 1C and 2C.... and maybe there isn't a distinction... but if we all see Roy as a 2C... and we would get raped going after a 1C... why not find another 2C and build up the talent around them?

Are there any gritty 2nd line or 3rd line guys that could work well with TV? or a hot prospect C out there that could step into that roll? or something out of the box that makes sense....

Or maybe I am just rambling... lol....

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Vanek-Roy-Stafford has acted like our true first line this season, and could be something to go with next season.

Focusing on the second like we have Hecht and Pominville winging a vacant center. Is there a team out there who has a 2nd line center playing on the 3rd line, maybe 4th? I would like to see Ennis play more on the second line if Hecht can be expendable.

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Let's go Buffalo!

I will need to recuse my idea of trading away Pominville. He has a no trade clause.

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Let's go Buffalo!

Sabretooth, I think Stafford is more the true #1 RW, but he has to prove it with a couple seasons like Pominville had, without semi-tanking afterward. I also prefer/hope to see Ennis develop as the 2nd LW, because Hecht is a glorified 3rd liner whether at LW or C. His salary is ridiculous for what he brings, and he's not very tradable because of it (Pominville also regardless of his NTC).

gr8daygo, I imagine the other players you'd add to the trade list are Pominville, Hecht, Gaustad, Leopold, or Morrisonn. I just don't think they are going to be worth a whole lot due to their contracts, or they're needed for depth. Leopold is the only pt producing d-man we've had in years (beside Myers last season), so I'd prefer to keep him.

Other centers out there that are affordable and possibly available are Jason Arnott, Dave Bolland, Tomas Fleischmann (plays LW some), Chad Larose, Chris Higgins, and a few others.

Dave Bolland was mentioned as a player coming here by a hockey rumors site. He is someone I like to see if Darcy Regier remains afraid of acquiring bigger names.

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Let's go Buffalo!

Put Ennis between them, he played Center in Juniors and I think is still listed as a Center. I believe what they do is have Hecht take the faceoffs, but having Ennis center either the first or second lines.

I've seen Ennis play with Stafford and Vanek with Stafford taking faceoffs, or Connolly with Vanek and Staff, and seen Ennis with Hecht and Pommers, but Hecht takes the draws, but doesn't continue to play center.

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It would not hurt to see Vanek-Ennis-Stafford do something. They would be Very Excellent Scorers.

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Let's go Buffalo!

IF we were to get Stastny out of Colorado, it'll no doubt cost a lot.

Adam, Sekera, 1st Rounder, 2nd Rounder/D-Prospect (Biega/Scheistel/Brennan)

Stastny, 3rd Rounder


Keep in mind, the Avs aren't going to give this guy away for our crap. I'd take that deal above and run away laughing.

I'm not trying to play NHL11 GM here, I just want to point out that Stastny won't be cheap...

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"Let's just trap Sekera in the caverns underneath HSBC arena." -BlueandYellow

Reporter: "Steve, you guys now lead the league in defensive scoring."
Montador: "It's probably because of how good-looking we are."

Stafford isn't our true #1. Don't let a streak change your mind.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

I totally agree and I wouldn't trade all those players to pick up Stastny. I would like to throw in that their are a handful of prospects I think are untradeable on Buffalo like Foligno and Kassian. We need these two guys on this team to rival Boston's Lucic and Horton. Here is my big issue with Buffalo. Buffalo has a make or break roadtrip coming up. Right now Buffalo has the 9th overall pick and if they have a bad road trip they could be in the top 5. Me personally I like Nugent Hopkins coming out of the draft this year plus you can throw in Ryan Strome. Why not try to move up and grab one of them come draft time. I believe anyone being moved right now is going to cost Buffalo way more than what is necessary. Richards isn't coming to Buffalo and I don't think Stastny get moved unless the deal is too good to pass up if your Colorado.

Problem with Stafford is he disappears to often. Yes he had a great streak and he is a good goal scorer because if he wasn't he wouldn't be shooting in the shootouts the last couple of years. It's easy to tell that the coaching staff knows he can bury the puck. Problem is his work ethic.

Whatever it would take to get Paul to Buffalo I say we should do it. The guy is on a so so team and could really go far on a line with Vanek. Being an Av's fan, I'd hate to see him go to anyone but Buffalo. The word on the street out here to is that the Av's are looking to rebuild so no one is off the table in Denver.

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