BUFFALO, NY - The Buffalo Sabres added forwad Danius Zubrus today in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers. They also added defensive prospects Denis Persson and Mike Weber. Headed to Philly is defenseman Dmitri Kalinin, Buffalo's 1st round pick in 2007, and a couple of minor leaguers. Zubrus imediatly fills the 2nd line RW position along side Danny Briere. He brings a physical style game to the Sabres, something they do not have a whole lot of. This deal also allows Stafford to gain an additional year of seasoning in the OTHML, before making the jump full time. The Sabres also now boast three solid lines, all of which could be considered top lines. The 1A line of Roy-Crosby-Gaborik should put up numbers that could lead the league. The 1B line of Vanek-Briere-Zubrus is a solid "2nd line" and will score its share of goals. The 1C line of Hecht-Drury-Pominville could also see two 30 goal scorers, even though it may be the "3rd" line on the depth chart. The only line which is not considered a "1st" line, is the Sabres current 4th line, with the likes of Simon-Gaustad-Mair. this line won't score many goals, but they may just break a lot of bones. They will be counted on to be an energy type line to change the momentum of a game, or to just beat the snot out of someone who decided to take a run at some of the Sabres stars.
This trade does however leave some holes in the blueline. Pronger, Tallinder, Hill, and Vandermeer are currently entrenched as the Sabres top 4 defenders. Who will take the #5 and #6 spots is up in the air. Veterans Janik and Hejda have the inside shot, but youngsters Ladislav Smid and Jack Johnson hope to give them a run for their money. Eventually Smid and Johnson will man the Sabres blueline reguraly, it's just not known if this is the first year. This trade does improve the Sabres for the time being. Hopefully this upcoming season will go better than the past one did.