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Now things for the Buffalo Sabres finally get interesting.  Ville Leino is cleared and ready to enter the lineup for Saturday’s afternoon tilt against the Ottawa Senators.

The only problem is, the 23 man roster is full.  Leino is a late season addition for the Buffalo Sabres – a high priced “trade deadline” acquisition type player who has been sidelined since training camp with an injury.  If the Buffalo Sabres do get to make a push for the playoffs, Leino could be a key contributor because he has the freshest legs.

It could also be detrimental for the team, if he can’t get his timing right for the game.  Sure he has been practicing, but most players will tell you its nothing like getting onto the ice during a game.

Who do you move to make room for Leino on your bench?  You could easily send Brian Flynn back down to Rochester, thank him for his time and let him know not to get to comfy or unpack too much.  His play as of late warrants the kid get some more looks.  Don’t tell that to Adam Pardy though – despite his continued good play on the Buffalo Sabres blue line, he continues to take the 45 minute drive between Buffalo and Rochester everytime there is a blip on the backend and interim head coach Ron Rolston needs a hand.

You could still send Marcus Foligno back to Rochester.  What will that do to the kids confidence though?  He excelled last year and has hopefully just found his sea legs.  Sending him to Rochester could have him regress.

It’s time to crack the knuckles Darcy and get to work.  Now is the time to add by subtraction and get a trade done that will set Buffalo up for the future.  It is time to move Jochen Hecht even for a later round pick.  It’s time to look at Jason Pominville and Jordan Leopold and see what you can get for the future.  You make room on your roster for Ville Leino, and you prepare for the future all at the same time.

You could also take two of your veteran players that you think will clear waivers and try and sneak them back down to Rochester.  Jochen Hecht would be a candidate for that, as well as Kevin Porter - as pointed out on Hockey Buzz.  The odds of them making it through to Rochester are good, but there is the off chance that a team that might be interested in them that didn’t want to pay what you were asking is drooling over the fact that you now have more players than you know what to do with.

Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Trade deadline is fast approaching.  Despite being just under a month to go until rosters are frozen for the final push for the playoffs.

Where will the Buffalo Sabres be on that day?  With their season fast dwindling down and with the most games played (tied with the Philadelphia Flyers) in the Eastern Conference – the Sabres find themselves only four points out of the playoff picture, despite a miserable start to the season and not even to double digits in the win column.

Past years have proven that the Buffalo Sabres are a second half of the season team, but can they kindle that sort of magic in just 24 games?  Last year the heroic run came up just short – how will the team respond this year?

If the deadline nears, and they are within four points still – Buffalo will make a move(s) at the deadline to try and get better.  Even if they make the playoffs – the move better be one hell of a splash to make an impact to turn this team into a playoff contender.  The playoffs are the second season for a reason – the games just get tougher to play in.

The only problem is – the only splash the team may make will come this weekend as the Buffalo Sabres will welcome back forward Ville Leino back to the lineup.  The winger is targeting Sunday against his former team the Philadelphia Flyers as his triumphant return back to an NHL lineup.

Leino needs to fit in with the lineup pretty quick and develop chemistry on a line with a seamless transition.  Leino might be the spark head coach Ron Rolston needs to get offense going on his third line.   Leino has been a great disappointment since signing in Hockey Heaven.  If Rolston can get him back to where he found success in Philadelphia – his style might open up the ice for Mikhail Grigorenko to use his offensive talents more.

Jordan Leopold is back on the ice and getting closer to returning to the lineup.  This is a good thing for the Buffalo team that desperately needs help on the blue line.  Either Leopold will return to a form that is usable for the Buffalo Sabres or his play increases to the point where he is valuable in a trade – unlikely given his play to date.

The organization is, from the top down on trial the remaining 24 games of the season.  It is make it or break it time for Darcy Regier.  While Terry Pegula cannot be fired from the organization; he has to make difficult decisions on the people he surrounds himself with to run his hockey team.

Have we reset the the three year window to win the Stanley Cup?  How long will it be before the Buffalo Sabres are on the short list come July 1?

I am afraid that the 2013 NHL season has given the Buffalo Sabres more questions than answers.