According to various sources, the Buffalo Sabres are very keen on acquiring Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu from the Anaheim Ducks. The Sabres have also been reportedly contacting the Carolina Hurricanes for Ray Whitney, however due to Whitney’s desire for a contract extension, the Sabres are holding off for now.

As for the Anaheim rumour, it really isn’t so much about who’s coming in but rather who will be leaving that makes this rumour interesting. Both Selanne and Koivu have a cap hit of around $ 3 million. With the Sabres cap space only being about $ 2 million, Darcy Regier would have to send $ 5 million dollars in cap back to the Ducks in order to maintain a reasonable amount of cap space.

So who will be the $5 million going the other way? Well, if this deal is going to be two players for two players, then one might suggest that Jochen Hecht and Drew Stafford could be on their way out. The Anaheim Ducks are keen on getting rid of their old players and acquiring young, but NHL ready talent and Drew Stafford fits that category.

Of course, to give up such a player, the Sabres would also ask Anaheim to take their dead weight, Jochen Hecht. This is a pretty good deal for either team but there is no guarantee that the ducks want this to be an even 2-for-2 trade.

Perhaps the Anaheim Ducks are keen on making this a bigger deal in which instead of young and developed talent like Stafford, they might want draft picks and prospects that have yet to enter the NHL. If Anaheim were to really be interested in acquiring young prospects, then I’m almost positive they would have asked about Luke Adam. Adam is having a great year in the QMJHL and he also was also great in the world junior championships.

Another thought is that Sabres might trade one or more defenseman to Anaheim. Names such as Toni Lydman, Chris Butler, and even Andrej Sekera could all be thrown into the mix. The only problem with this is that as of this recent losing streak, the Sabres might be on the hunt for a defenseman.

Chances are that if this rumour is true, then it is probably safe to say that Anaheim came forward with this deal. Knowing that they aren’t contenders this year topped with the fact that Buffalo is in need of two way forwards (and leaders) makes this deal a no brainer.

One thing is for sure though, with the Sabres hanging on (barely) to the division lead, the Sabres will at least attempt to land a couple of players to try and keep pace with the East’s elite.

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