Feb. 3, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jordan Leopold (3) looks to pass against the Florida Panthers at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Sabres have started to move pieces as they look to reshape their team.

The second member of the Buffalo Sabres organization to be traded, is Jordan Leopold.  He has been sent to the St. Louis Blues for two draft picks, a second round draft pick, and a conditional fifth round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

If they keep the pick, the Buffalo Sabres now have two second round draft picks in the upcoming draft.

Jordan Leopold was originally selected in the second round of the 1999 NHL Entry draft by the Anaheim Ducks.  Prior to the Buffalo Sabres he has also played for the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

St. Louis was looking for another puck moving defenseman – and is willing to give up a first round draft pick which figures to be a late first round pick.

St. Louis is in a precarious position, holding on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.  With any luck, they will be able to hold and and make a run at the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The second round pick figures to be a mid to late round draft pick, depending on the success of the Blues.

Leopold had drawn the ire of the Buffalo Sabres organization and fans this season has he failed to be the veteran presence on the blue line – and was one of a many number of problems with the on-ice product this year.

Leopold is making 3 million dollars this season, and is in the final year of his contract.  On July 1st he will become an unrestricted free agent, unless he resigns in St. Louis.

Feb. 3, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jordan Leopold (3) looks to pass against the Florida Panthers at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

According to CBC Sports’ Elliotte Friedman, Darcy Regier and the Buffalo Sabres have been asking teams to give them a “good reason” to trade one the team’s eight defensemen.  As of yet, it would appear that no one has given the team a good enough reason to ship one out . . . but the season is still young, and as injuries and desperation mount, Regier may find himself fielding offers for one of his army of blue liners.

Common sense will tell you that Christian Ehrhoff and Tyler Myers would not be on the trading block, since each of these guys are locked into long-term contracts (Ehrhoff through 2021; Myers, 2019).    As NHL Trade Report points out, both Jordan Leopold and Robyn Regehr are about to become unrestricted free agents in July, and are likely the two guys the Sabres are willing to ship out.

Of course, the question becomes, what are the Sabres looking for in return?  At this point of the season, they could use help on both sides of the ice.  Their offense, while less-reliant on the first line lately, is prone to stretches of stagnancy, while the defense has been underachieving immensely so far this young season.

Of course, you don’t usually give up blue liners if what you’re looking for is . . . .more blue liners, so it would appear that the Buffalo Sabres are hoping to find another piece they can add to the offensive puzzle.  I highly doubt that moving one, or even both, of these guys would be enough to address what I feel is the Sabres’ most pressing offensive concern – acquiring a true number one center – so it will be interesting to follow this story and get a better feel for what, exactly, Darcy Regier is interested in getting in return.

Thoughts?  Leave me a comment, or follow me @theaveragedick.