Sabres Trade Rumors: Stastny or Richards?

I looks like the Sabres and new owner Terry Pegula may have their sights set on a couple of world-class centers. Dallas' Brad Richards and Colorado's Paul Stastny could be in the mix. Here's the rumors courtesy of The Ottawa Sun. The trade deadline is tomorrow at 3 p.m., so expect to be hearing about trades all morning, as is the yearly tradition.

With Derek Roy out for the year with an injury, a top-line center to create more offense is exactly what Buffalo could use right now. I like Tim Connolly, but he's not cutting it as the Sabres' top center.

These two guys are similar players and Sabres should be overjoyed to see either one come to town. Both are Canadian. Both shoot lefty. Both lead their respective teams in scoring this year. Both are around 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. (as much as I love them, Buffalo has too many small forwards) And Both could make a big impact in the Sabres' late season drive at the playoffs.

I think Buffalo could also use an experienced defenseman. Montador and Morrison are decent players, but I wouldn't mind upgrading there, even if it meant parting with a younger guy like Sekera. Tomas Kaberle already went to Boston, but a guy like that could be a huge asset to Buffalo.

For years now, the trade-deadline tradition for general manager Darcy Regier has been to move one or two sabres who were dead weight on the roster, and pick up a guy in his contract year who is supposed to contribute, but ends up not having enough time to build chemistry with his teammates.

We all remember guys like Raffi Torres, Dominic Moore and Steve Bernier. They all came to the Sabres at the deadline, did little to impress and ended up leaving to free agency.

This year could be different though, Terry Pegula is now running the show and his influence could meant he Sabres make a deal for a marquee guy who could be here for years to come and even be the next captain.

The Sabres are in the midst of a mediocre season and there are plenty of players who I would be OK with trading if it meant getting someone like Stastny or Richards. The only guys I would truly be heartbroken to see leave are: Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek, Tyler Myers, Tyler Ennis, Derek Roy and Patrick Kaleta.

So far, owner is only a title, but tomorrow we'll see if Pegula's takeover will actually translate into big changes for the Sabres.