Should The Sabres Keep Moulson Long-Term?

Ok, remember yesterday when I said I'll talk about the Sabres when it seems like they're making progress with their rebuild? Well, I'm not sure if they're making progress, but there is news about their newest acquisition only being with the team short-term. And although that might not be progress with rebuilding, it is considered worthy to talk about and see if the Sabres are going in the right direction.

New forward Matt Moulson was acquired by the Sabres on Monday from the New York Islanders for Thomas Vanek. However, there is uncertainty about his future with the team. Moulson said he's unsure that his last stop this season will be in Buffalo, meaning that Buffalo might be ready to trade him if they feel he's not producing enough for them.

"I'm just going to take it day-by-day," he said, "If it's for however long, a long period of time, a short period of time or whatever they have planned, I'm going to play and compete, play my game and try to help this team get wins."

That's the right attitude for Moulson, who's been somewhat of a stellar player for the Islanders last season and for some part of this season. However, he is in the final year of his contract and the Sabres believe he is better off with another team, they won't make a move to ship him somewhere else. He is expected to attract lucrative offers next summer.

Ok, now should we bash the Sabres for what they're doing? I don't think so on this part. I would've preferred if the Islanders gave up a player on whom had more than one year left on his contract, but they wanted Vanek badly so that had to make Moulson expendable. I can understand why the Sabres wouldn't commit to this guy long-term. And plus, I don't think he would want to stay in Buffalo past this season or past February. He wants to be with a contender that has a chance for the Stanley Cup and being part of a rebuild doesn't exactly help him. There is also the possibility of him being traded so that the Sabres can figure out other needs for their team in the future.

Coach Rolston said that Moulson "has a reputation for being a good role model." That helps with the youth that the Sabres in their farm system and for their future. Plus, Moulson is no stranger to rebuilding teams, as he was part of a similar process with the Islanders when they were rebuilding. Right now, he's the current answer to the Sabres' problems. Whether or not they decide to trade him will depend on how well they do these next couple of months. The Sabres desperately want to get out of this hole and they hope Moulson can help push things along.