The Buffalo Sabres, though their season hasn't continued in nearly as abysmal a fashion as it began, are still expected to be big-time sellers ahead of the NHL trade deadline in March.
They're a team badly in need of a full rebuild and they've got some quality pieces with which to begin that transformation.
Chris Stewart's name has surfaced time and again - he's rumored not to be a favorite of Coach Ted Nolan. Drew Stafford has continually failed to live up to his first-round draft status and, with his injury issues, looks more and more likely to be moved if possible.
But there are a couple of higher profile players GM Tim Murray could move for picks or prospects -- the types of players that will bring a big return and really jumpstart the franchise on their road back to redemption should the right deal present itself... defenseman Tyler Myers and top-six forward Cody Hodgson.
Hodgson is only 24 and managed 44 points in 72 games just last season. He's got four years remaining on a pact that pays him $4.25 million annually.
But he's only got three points thus far this season and doesn't play the strong two-way game that Nolan prefers. He's also a leftover from the previous regime.
"...it's important to remember that Hodgson was not given his contract by Tim Murray, he was given his extension in the Darcy Regier era," writes Chad DeDominicis of TheFourthPeriod.com. "If he's not moved at the deadline, I'll be surprised if Hodgson is on the Sabres roster to start next season. His declining play and contract may make it difficult for the Sabres to get a favorable deal."
Myers, also 24, is probably the best and biggest - both literally and figuratively - asset the Sabres have. He's got a $5.5 million per year deal with four years left.
He's a still-developing player who is already very good, that the team has been reportedly reluctant to part ways with in the past because they fear the type of shut-down defenseman he could leave and become.
Still, he lacks consistency to his game and would require immense value to be moved.
"If Myers can keep playing at a high level, the return for him will continue to rise," DeDominicis wrote. "He seems more like the type of player who is traded in the offseason, but if Murray receives a good offer, he won't be afraid to pull the trigger now. It's still possible for the young blueliner to remain part of the Sabres' future if his good play remains consistent."
Both players, should they be moved, will bring the Sabres an early round draft pick or two, top prospects and quality veteran players.
