Buffalo Boy's Blog

We are contenders right now. I know most would say Im jinxing it but I don't care. We are the third best team in the entire NHL right now. We just beat the second best team by coming from 3 goals down to do it last night and in a 7 game series with Ryan Miller in net, Im taking Buffalo over Pittsburgh any day.

The reason for the poor starts lately is the busy schedule plain and simple. Tired legs need a period to get going and thats what the last few games have been about.

Last night Drew Stafford came back from being a healthy scratch and earned his way back into the line up but he has to keep doing what he did, no not three points every night, just be consistent.

If there was ever a time to make a deal to bolster what this team has its now. We need a big gun on offense. The scary thing is I think we have a big gun that just hasn't found his game get and its Thomas Vanek. It would be nice to find another one to take the pressure off.

There have been signs that slumps are starting to end but nothing consistent yet, over the next few weeks Darcy needs to start looking at guys like Derek Roy (everyones favorite whipping post), Connolly and Vanek and see if this team has the offense to go into the playoffs with, if the answer is no, then we make a move using one of those guys.

Five guys who may not require a huge investment before the deadline I would like to see come here via trade who could provide that offensive spark:

Kristian Huselius- a 20-30 goal scorer on the left wing, would easily fit in with Tim Connolly or Derek Roy.

Paul Kariya- Maybe not the player he was say 5-7 years ago but still, hes got lots of experience for a deep run into the playoffs and hes a great playmaker who when healthy can still do it with talent around him, the problem is, the Blues don't have much talent.

Keith Tkachuk- Sticking with the Blues theme, another valuable veteran who is on the train to nowhere with St. Louis. You could probably get him cheap and hes still a solid guy for the powerplay especially in the playoffs, at 6'2" and 232 pounds he'll go to the front of the net and take a beating in the playoffs knowing hes on a cup contender.

Thomas Holmstrom- I know Im nuts for even thinking about this but Detroit ain't that good this year, they are sitting in 10th and have been since November, maybe they try to get younger this year and take a step back. Keep an eye on them they could sell guys like Holmstrom trying to get younger and at the same time better, yet Holmstrom with the right group could be rejuvenated for a playoff run and be a great leader in the lockerroom and contributer on the ice. Holmstrom can still net 20-30 if healthy.

Saku Koivu- Another veteran who can score and lead. Anaheim another disappointing team that may look to unload.

It doesn't have to be an elite player, just a veteran who still has some legs who can lead into the playoffs. If Darcy does it right we keep what we have here intact in bring in someone as a rental. Its not about next year at this point, its about this year, we are good enough now we just need that one guy to put it over the top, do it before the Olympics and let who ever you get gel a bit.