The Buffalo Sabres have crossed the mid-way point in the season and currently sit 3rd in the Atlantic division and 8th in the East. This is the teams first sniff of a playoff spot since early in the season and they are by no means sitting comfortably with the Lightning on their heels and the Senators and Leafs as well who have games in hand sitting in striking distance. A big reason for the early season disappointment was an injury to Sidney Crosby and a health scare for the GM's family which took him away from the league for a short while. "I'm glad to be back at the helm after a short absence, the team is also looking healthier as we have Crosby back after missing 9 games with an injury." Said the GM today.

The team has also been quiet on the trade front only completing two deals, moving a 2019 2nd to Calgary for defensive prospect Ian McCoshen and more recently adding Michael Raffl and cash for two draft picks, a 3rd & 6th. We also asked GM Mitchell about the current trade market: "We've been getting calls for top players like Ristolainen, Palat & Nyqvist and also our top prospect Thomas Chabot. We've been offered farm players and veterans for these players and frankly I found them to be insulting." So what is available in Buffalo as we approach the trade deadline? "I think we are well positioned going into the last half of the season but we've always got an ear to the ground for an upgrade on RW, D & Goaltending although we aren't keen on adding salary long term." It makes sense for the Sabres to sit tight with their current young players as the older players start leaving via free agency.

Current team line-up with player mid-season report card scores:

Ondrej Palat A+ - Sindey Crosby A+ - Gustav Nyqvist B

Benoit Pouliot B - Ryan Kesler A+ - Jason Pominville B

Chris Kunitz D - Vernon Fiddler B - David Perron C-

Michael Raffl N/A - Boyd Gordon B - Jack Skille D

Dwight King C

No real surprises here as the centers have been carrying the wingers minus Palat who has been outstanding.

Jay Bouwmeester A - Alex Pietrangelo A

Brooks Orpik B - Rasmus Ristolainen A+

Alec Martinez B+ - Nate Schmidt C+

The Buffalo D have been lights out this year, only Pietrangelo is a minus player.

Petr Mrazek B+

Ondrej Pavelec B+

Both goalies are posting great numbers. Not much was expected of Pavelec but he has played solid in a back-up role.