The NHL trade deadline was on Monday, February 27th, and the Buffalo Sabres made some moves. First, Darcy Regier, our GM, traded Paul Gaustad to Nashville for a first round pick in the 2012 draft. I have always loved Paul Gaustad, but he's going to be an unrestricted free agent come the summer and I was honestly shocked we were able to get a first rounder for him.
The team then announced that Zack Kassian was heading to Vancouver for young center Cody Hodgson. This trade is a great one in my point of view for a few reasons. Firstly, the Sabres are in desperate need of a center. Young, talented centers are hard to come by in this league, so when you have a chance to pick one up, you don't pass it up. Kassian was valued for his physicality, but to be honest, I think it will be easier to replace him than to find another center as talented as Hodgson. He's 22 and is considered a favorite for the Calder Trophy (outstanding rookie).
Time will tell as to whether the Sabres or Canucks got the best end of the trade, but it has me excited for more scoring and a potential long-term center.
Well done, Darcy.