When you talk with Darcy he’ll tell you that he’s been busy on the phones.  The only problem is he’s not getting as many phone calls coming in as he’d like.  That won’t stop him he says in pursuing possible trades.

In a recent press conference Darcy and Sabres Director of Amateur Scouting Kevin Devine discussed their thoughts on what’s going to happen Friday.

From what they are saying the Sabres are not going to be moving up in the draft.

The uncertainties of the top players in the draft are a big reason for this decision. Everything from not being able to pin point a #1, prior injuries to the players and also wondering if they’ll stay in the NHL.  Just the thought of drafting your 1 want and/or need and he going to play overseas would be terrible.

From the beginning I have always thought they should be going after an established player to help this team.  Although the draft is where you build your team you may need to wait until that player is ready.  The time it could possibly take is something I believe the Sabres are not willing to do.  They want an immediate impact player to help right away.

That being said the Sabres are in the market for a forward. The best case scenario would be getting a #1 center.  Names have come up in the past but never really amounted to anything.  Recently rumors have been swirling about a few players.  Jordan Staal and Bobby Ryan come to mind.  Staal seems to be the right fit being a center and capable of playing the PP and PK.  Bobby Ryan was a rumor earlier this season that went away but now he is being shopped.  He’s not the center were looking for but I think he would be a great addition.

After Friday we’ll see what Darcy was able to pull off.  If the Sabres end up using their first 4 picks on players many will question his reasoning and know he was unable to pull off anything.  This I believe is very important time for Darcy to show what he can do having every resource he could possibly have.

-John Starba

Please follow @John_Starba