Buffalo Sabres Roster Report – Right Wing

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Apr 13, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Drew Stafford (21) skates after the puck during the second period against the New York Islanders at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

It is time for the next installment of the Buffalo Sabres roster report.  This series features who I feel will be the roster players for the Buffalo Sabres heading into the 2014-2015 campaign.

It is by no means an official list – and it may not be 100% accurate as I have shifted players back to wing/center based on previous NHL experience at that position.  So far I have looked at the goaltenders, centers, and left wingers.  Today we will look at the Right Wing position.  A little bit of shuffle going on here as well, as Cody Hodgson could be called upon to play center, if the rookies or the guys at center are just not cutting it.  There could also be movement off the roster on the right hand side.

Drew Stafford remains of the biggest pieces left on the roster – and he is in a contract year.  If Tim Murray doesn’t see Stafford playing a major role in the rebuild of the organization, you could see his expiring contract sent somewhere else around the trade deadline in exchange for more pieces for the future.

Who will be leading the charge on the right wing, or more importantly who will rise from the ranks to lead the team and added some much needed offense to the Buffalo Sabres roster?

Mar 23, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward Cody Hodgson (19) skates with the puck against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack (31) and forward Ryan Kesler (17) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

He can play center, but he can also play right wing, and the Buffalo Sabres roster may benefit from moving him to the winger slot.. RW. Canada. Cody Hodgson. 1. player. 12

With all the rookie depth at center, the Buffalo Sabres might just benefit from moving Cody Hogdson to the wing.  With Mikhail Grigorenko, Zemgus Girgensons, and Sam Reinhart all playing center – it seems like a viable option for the Buffalo Sabres roster.

What is most intriguing right now is with the roster in the midst of a rebuild mode, no one is really sure who is going to be on the team when the rebuild ends, and the team shifts into the mode where they will be pushing for the playoffs.  Hodgson could see himself shuffle back and forth between center and right wing.

Originally drafted in the first round, tenth overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2008 draft – Hodgson never found his way to a permanent spot on their roster, being traded at the deadline to the Buffalo Sabres for Zach Kassian.  The teams also traded defenseman in that deadline deal.

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Hodgson has been a part of winning organizations on an international level, being a part of gold medal team Canada at the U18 World Championships in Kazan (2008) and the 2009 World Juniors in Ottawa.

In 211 NHL games, Hodgson has 55 goals, and 121 points.  He has seen playoff action to the tune of 12 games with the Canucks, registering a single point (an assist) in those twelve games.

Being on the top line with a crafty center could potentially increase the scoring volume of Hodgson, something the Sabres could desperately use.  Hodgson set a career high in goals and assists last season, with 20 goals and 24 assists.

Mar 9, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) back checks as Buffalo Sabres right wing Drew Stafford (21) bring the puck into the zone during the second period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

RW. USA. Drew Stafford. 2. player. 12. Long buried on the Buffalo Sabres roster – came out of the shadows last year and took to a leadership role both on and off the ice.  

Manning the right point for the second line this year, the Buffalo Sabres will lean on Drew Stafford for leadership, both on and off the ice.  He has been with the Buffalo Sabres long enough to remember the good days, but has seen his number of bad days.  His contract has drawn the ire of fans and the organization alike, never really manning up to the deal he signed.

In a roster year, Drew Stafford will be trying to prove his worth to an organization he would like to stay with, given he has played his entire professional career with the team.

Drew Stafford has played for Team USA on an international level, winning gold in the 2004 Helsinki World Juniors.   In 513 NHL games he has 136 goals, but has never scored more than 20 in a single NHL campaign.

Traded to any NHL team in a playoff hunt, Stafford may not be a first line right wing, but could see those first line minutes easily if the Buffalo Sabres tap Cody Hodgson for the center position.

It is make it or break it time for Drew Stafford.  No longer can he be the ghost right winger who contributes occasionally.  A breakout year will be good for him, even if his time in Buffalo is drawing to a close.  A solid year will be good for the impending free agent, both for Drew Stafford and the Buffalo Sabres.  Stafford could land a decent return if the team decides to part ways with him around the trade deadline, something he has been a part of several rumors in the past few years.

May 8, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (21) misses a chance to score a goal against Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) during the third period in game four of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

USA. Brian Gionta. 3. player. 12. Buffalo Sabres biggest free agent acquisition this year, finishing out his career close to home, Gionta brings much needed leadership to the locker room.. RW

The Buffalo Sabres are known for picking up players near the end of their career, but this one is a smart move.  Closing out his professional career closest to his hometown of Rochester, NY – Brian Gionta could find himself wearing the C from the third line as he teaches the future leaders of the team both on and off the ice.

Originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils 82nd overall in the 1998 draft – he won a Stanley Cup with the 2003-2003 New Jersey Devils.  He has most recently played for the Montreal Canadiens.

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Obscure former Boston Bruins: Brian Gionta
Obscure former Boston Bruins: Brian Gionta /

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  • Gionta has three season left in his professional career, his current deal expiring after the 2016-2017 season.  With the amount of youth on the Buffalo sabres roster, there is little chance the team resigns him after this deal ends.  What it does do is give the Buffalo Sabres three years of on the job training for whomever the future leader of the organization is.

    Brian Gionta could be a source of scoring for the Buffalo Sabres.  He put up 18 goals last season, and depending on his linemates, could have another 20 goal season in him.  He has eclipsed that mark seven times in the NHL, his career high came in 2005-2006 when he scored 48.  Gionta could move up on the depth chart if Hodgson gets bumped to center.

    Mar 3, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Chris Stewart (80) waits for play to begin against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Sabres 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

    12. Hard nosed winger Chris Stewart looking to make a difference for Buffalo.. RW. USA. Chris Stewart. 4. player

    The Buffalo Sabres roster got an ingest of toughness with the addition of Chris Stewart at the trade deadline.

    With Steve Ott off the roster, the Buffalo Sabres need Stewart to be a hard nosed winger that is tough to play against – both along the boards on the puck.

    Stewart will have some competition for the fourth line spot, but should be an easy decision for the Buffalo Sabres management to make.

    In 382 NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues he has 115 goals, 113 assists, and 447 penalty minutes.  He also has playoff experience, with 19 appearances with the Avalanche and Blues.

    Stewart is another first round draft pick on the Buffalo Sabres roster, beings selected 18th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2006 NHL draft.

    RW. USA. Pat Kaleta. 5. player. 12. Is the NHL ready for the return of Patrick Kaleta?

    Challenging Stewart for the fourth line on the Buffalo Sabres roster will be the demoted Patrick Kaleta.  After a lengthy suspension, the NHL pressured the Buffalo Sabres unofficially to remove Kaleta from the league, his play not in line with what the NHL wants to see for player safety.

    After clearing waivers, the winger was assigned to the Rochester Americans, where a season ended injury ended his rehabilitation.  Will time off away from hockey and his injury healed be enough for Kaleta to realize that his role of pest would be better if he wasn’t always in a position to get himself suspended?

    Kaleta plays hard every shift, but his name has become synonymous with penalties as referees seem to have his number.  And it isn’t always for the wrong reason.  Kaleta has been known to use his head, and to hit guys high.  The Buffalo Sabres want his tenacity in the lineup, but can they afford to have him constantly battling back and forth into the lineup?

    Mar 23, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward Torrey Mitchell (17) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

    Buffalo Sabres Roster – Waiting in the Wings

    12. . RW. Canada. Torrey Mitchell. 6. player

    player. 12. . RW. Finland. Joel Armia. 7

    8. player. 12. . RW. Canada. Nicholas Baptiste

    RW. USA. Hudson Fasching. 9. player. 12.

    RW. USA. Judd Peterson. 10. player. 12.

    Christian Isackson. 11. player. 12. . RW. USA

    12. player. 12. . RW. Sweden. Victor Olofsson

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