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Buffalo Sabres Trade Rumors: The Value Of Andrej Meszaros

By Tim Redinger

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General Manager and Buffalo Sabres rebuild mastermind Tim Murray doesn’t want to let any expiring contracts get out of Buffalo without getting something for them.

That is a tall order, given the fact that right now, there really isn’t a whole lot left on this team that other teams around the league are going to be clamoring for come trade deadline.  The trade deadline which now sits at an uncomfortably close twelve days away.

Last off season Tim Murray needed to do something to get to the salary cap floor, so he signed a couple of one year deals that put him in a position to get something for them now, despite the fact that they were a rental player for the team for cap purposes only.

The first player on that list is Andrej Meszaros.  With only one goal and five assists this season, he is having by far the worst career season outside of the 2012-2013 season with the Philadelphia Flyers, a season which he only played in eleven games and had no goals, and two assists.

Despite rebounding the following year, he was rented to the Boston Bruins for depth at the blue line for a playoff run.  He was able to get the Flyers nothing more than a conditional third round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

For the Buffalo Sabres, shipping Andrej Meszaros out of blue and gold isn’t going to net them more than a third round pick, and given the less than stellar season that Meszaros has had, his trade value has most likely plummeted from last years third round stock.

The Anaheim Ducks were interested in obtaining Tyler Myers before he was sent to the Winnipeg Jets.  They will want to shore up their defensive core before heading into the playoffs, despite sitting high in the Western Conference standings.

The Tampa Bay Lightning could be looking to solidify their defense.  Last year the Lightning’s chance at a far playoff reach stopped when they suffered an injury at the goaltending position.  You put a strong defense in front of the goalie corps, and you might have a better chance.

The Calgary Flames have shocked the hockey world with their place in the standings, and could use a strong presence on the back end to ensure a deep playoff run against seasoned veterans in the Western Conference, teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings who have been there and done that often enough in the last five years to know what the gruel is all about.

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The Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Ottawa Senators could also be buying at the deadline, but the clock is ticking for these franchises, and the decision to buy or sell at this point is quickly approaching for these clubs.  Philadelphia has been down the Meszaros path before, and know what he has to offer.

On the West Coast, the bubble teams that could make a move for a depth defenseman like Meszaros are even fewer limits, but the Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars are all still thinking playoffs .

The trade value for Andrej Meszaros is pretty low, but he does have more to offer a team than his current production level.  While he is no all-star, everyone who has donned a Buffalo Sabres uniform this year has suffered a career hit in their numbers and production.

The best value for the Buffalo Sabres might be to package Andrej Meszaros in a bigger deal, perhaps with Chris Stewart – to maximize his return and increase the chances for Tim Murray to build the Buffalo Sabres of the future.

Next: Zach Bogosian Is The Start Of New Era

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