March 1st, 2009
(6:00 p.m. EST)

Buffalo, NY: The Buffalo Sabres are in a dilemma while sitting at ninth place in the Eastern Conference. Missing two of their top players, Goaltender Ryan Miller, and Forward Thomas Vanek, the Sabres see themselves tied for 9th place and one point out of a playoff spot behind the Pittsburgh Penguins after a three-game losing streak.

The question Buffalo fans are asking is, will the Sabres make a move by 3 p.m. tomorrow? Buffalo fans, along with WGR 550 AM radio out of Buffalo, NY are asking for moves by Buffalo GM Darcy Regier, of either Maxim Afinogenov or Tim Connolly for another big defenseman or a forward to produce points for the Sabres as they have scored just three goals in their past three games, and were shut out by the last place New York Islanders 2-0 Saturday.

Afinogenov has been a healthy scratch as he was cleared over 10 days ago to play after suffering a groin injury. He  has missed more than 20 games, which caused him to speak to The Buffalo News saying simply that he wants to play, or he wants out. But are teams willing to give up for a player who has the most potential but just cannot produce, scoring just two goals and having 12 points on the year?

Tim Connolly has produced for the Sabres as of late, but is injury prone. A player who is possible help for teams in need of a playmaker and could make a deep impact for a playoff push. Buffalo needs to find players within their system or players available upon the trade deadlines, which want to move into a leadership role to make that final playoff push in the upcoming weeks.

Some available players to watch on the move to the Sabres, if any moves are made, are defensemen Derek Morris of the Phoenix Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets, sixth-year veteran Rostislav Klesla, and forward Milan Hejduk of the Avalanche, and Nashville Predators Center Radek Bonk.

Thomas Vanek is expected to play Wednesday Night (according to Sabres.com) against their Northeastern Division foe Montreal Canadians after suffering a broken jaw, which will help out Buffalo’s offense (hopefully). 

Along with Vanek, Afinogenov is expected to play also; as fans are hoping he plays to a high standard as he something to prove to the Sabres’ management.

Darcy Regier must make some critical decisions to gain some offensive fire for the slumping Sabres, and to make Sabres fans happy with the product their PAYING to watch.

Wednesday 3 p.m. is judgment day for the 2008-09 Sabres as they find out there fate whether they have new additions or the team they have right now as the final weeks of the season are approaching.

Stay tuned for updates between tonight and tomorrow 3 p.m. EST for all trades and signings, on NHL.com, TSN.ca, or for Buffalo Fans, tune in to WGR550 AM radio for all your Sabres news.
                                                                            -Bobby Giambra-