So, I was quite wrong. Buffalo loses their best defenseman, and doesn’t get one in return. The trade was Campbell to San Jose for Steve Bernier and a 1st round pick. One the plus side, this is Buffalo saying, “We’re not good enough to win a Cup with this team; we need more young talent.” On the bad side, we’re even weaker on D now.

Bernier has potential to be a decent goal scorer. On the whole, the message seems clear: it’s rebuilding time. It’s pretty pathetic to go from a serious Cup contender to “rebuilding” in just one year.

The Trade Deadline approaches.  Tomorrow is the final day for trades.  Will the Sabres do anything?  My prediction is, No.  Last year, as Cup contenders, they only picked up Zubrus, which wasn’t enough.  This year, battling for a bottom position in the playoffs, they’ll likely do nothing, or perhaps make one very, very minor move.  I’m guessing they will succeed in signing Campbell before tomorrow, though some might think me irrationally optmistic.  I just think it would be another hugely bad PR move, once again offending the best and most dedicated fans in sports.

With names like Marian Hossa, Dan Boyle, and Olli Jokinen being bandied about, it’s sad to be a fan of a team that’s consistently unwilling to make big moves for tested players.  But given Buffalo’s history, I’m not holding my breath for anything different this season.