Buffalo - The Buffalo Sabres, in a desperate fight for the 8th and final playoff spot, in which 2 good team will proably not make the playoffs, have made a move to improve thier ods of being a playoff team. The Sabres picked up two top defensemen, Sean Hill from Dallas, and Derek Morris from Edmonton. Both players cost the Sabres a great deal in terms of valuable assets. The sabres had to give up a 1st round draft pick plus for Hill, as well as a 1st round pick and top prospect Mark Popovic plus for Morris.
Despite the heavy price tag associated with both, the moves defintly iprove the Sabres weakest area. The Sabres blueline had been struggling the last 15 games, and allowing nearly 30 shots per game. The recent slump could be attributed to the defense's inability to keep the other team in check, and a loss of 5 -3 was very common for the Sabres. It is also one reason why JS Giguere's stats have plummeted. Before the slump, Giguyere led the league in GAA and SV%, but now, hes barely in the top 10 in GAA, despite being in the top 3 for SV% still.
Hill has played well for Dallas this year, posting a great +14 rating. He will pair with Niklas Lidstrom on the top pairing, to add a physical streak to the pair. Morris, coming from Edmoneont, has had a awesome year, being voted as a starter for the WEstern Conference (he will not be able to play, as the sides had already been determined before his trade was official). Morris brings a similar game as does feelow sabre Niklas Lidstrom, playing a solid defensive game, but also known as one of the beter offensive defenseman in the league. He will pair with Jay McKee, where McKee will add the physical presence of the two, while Morris will quarterback the play from the Sabres end.
The Sabres hope that these two trades will push them into the playoffs. Once they get there, it will be an entirely new season, and this reporter can not wait to see what happens.