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Oil Change

June 22, 2013, 10:34 AM ET [481 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Drew Stafford for Ales Hemsky?

Ain't gonna happen, so don't bother asking if the rumors are true or false.

Stafford is in play right now and will likely be moved at the draft or a some point this summer. However, the Sabres are not interested in taking back an aging, broken down $5 million money pit like Hemsky. Darcy Regier is going younger not older.

The Oilers are looking to add a two way with with size and scoring ability. Stafford fits that bill. He's a guy who could benefit from a change in organization.

Stafford is a right winger, and his roster spot will easily be filled in by Brian Flynn, who turned heads in the lockout shortened season. Flynn was productive in Rochester, scoring 16 goals and adding 16 assist in 45 games. In 26 games in Buffalo, Flynn popped another 6 goals and added 5 helpers. Flynn is RFA. He will counter balance Stafford's offense, or lack thereof. Stafford scored only 6 goals in 2013. He scored 20 last season, and had a career high 31 goals in 2010-11, his contract year. Stafford is now a $4 million per season earner, however, he struggles to live up the demands of his contract.



Another option at RW is Rolston's Amerks foot soldier, the surgically repaired Corey Tropp is 100% healthy and will be challenging to return to the Buffalo lineup, while Finnish scoring star Joel Armia learns the pro game in AHL Rochester.

I asked a scout who he felt the Sabres could leverage in return for Stafford, a thirty goal scorer. I was told that Buffalo should and likely would ask for center Anton Lander or LW Magnus Paajarvi instead. Lander is entering the final year of his entry level contract while Pjaarvi is RFA come July 5. Both players fit the Sabres desired demographics: young, talented, and experienced.


Edmonton are in need of a #1 goalie and there is reason to believe that MacT may in fact be considering a serious offer to land Ryan Miller from Buffalo. MacT will sleep a lot better at night if he can upgrade the current Khabibulin-Dubnik tandem.


Drew Stafford, and should and could be a piece to a potential trade with Edmonton. The Sabres would like to acquire Edmonton's 7th overall pick in the June 30 draft.


Keep an eye on MacT. He wowed the NHL when he turfed his head coach Ralph Krueger and replaced him with Dallas Eakins. I expect several similar jaw-dropping roster moves by the Oilers at of before the NHL Entry Draft.

For now, we wait and see.
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