Ales Kotalik, who sprained his MCL Saturday against Boston, is expected back near the end of March. Maxim Afinogenov, Jaro Spacek, Jiri Novotny, and Daniel Paille will all need weeks to get back into the lineup.
But the key word is "weeks."
All of these players are expected back during the regular season, which means that the post-season cap-free loophole won't be an option for Buffalo.
While it's true that the loss of gritty forward Paul Gaustad for the season will clear up some room, his salary is not nearly significant enough to cover the two or three moves that Regier would like to make at the deadline.
From an injury standpoint, the Sabres have become so depleted and desperate that Wednesday's "call-up of the day," Patrick Kaleta, has amassed a grand total of 10 points in the AHL this season.
There is literally nothing left in the well. This, plus the fact that you have to wonder how ready at least some of the injured will be when they get back into the lineup, should make you wonder why Biron isn't already gone.
It's true that it will be a tough deal to make. Most playoff teams are set in goal, and a non-playoff club won't want him unless they pre-negotiate a contract extension. Florida, Tampa Bay, and Los Angeles are possible destinations.
But Regier is one of the best there is, and he'll play his hand right down to the last hour. He is heavily criticized in Buffalo for his endless patience and ultraconservative nature, yet it's these traits that have helped him to construct an incredibly skilled and talented hockey club.
Sometime between now and Tuesday, it is very likely that Regier will trade Biron. It's also very possible that he will get little or no return for him.
But that's OK, because even a late round draft pick is more than he'll get for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent, and the sole purpose of such a trade is to dump salary.
Regier is known to have his eyes on St. Louis Blues winger Bill Guerin and defenseman Eric Brewer. He has loads of young talent in the system to offer in return. But he can't do anything as long as Biron and his $2.1 million salary are here.
Last year at this time, he went after players such as Eric Weinrich, Keith Carney and Willie Marshall. He was outbid in all cases. He then later watched his team lose a Game 7 with only two starting defenseman who were healthy.
You can do the math on this one. Regier is too good to let himself be outbid again. Unless there is another season ending injury between now and Tuesday, Biron is as good as gone.
