Slumping Sabres Trade For Gilmour, Gratton

NHL teams

The Sabres acquired 36-year old center Doug Gilmore and rookie forward J.P. Dumont from the Chicago Blackhawks for forward Michal Grosek. The teams also exchanged draft picks, with Tampa Bay receiving a third-round choice this year and Buffalo getting a second-round selection in 2001.

"Doug Gilmour gives us a strong presence on and off the ice, and someone who has won a Stanley Cup," Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said.

Earlier the Sabres sent centers Brian Holzinger and Wayne Primeau and defenseman Cory Sarich to Tampa Bay for center Chris Gratton.

The Sabres lost their captain center Michael Peca for the rest of the regular season with a dislocated shoulder, a void they are trying to fill with Gilmour and Gratton.

Gratton made his Sabres debut on Friday, but couldn't help his new team from losing to the Montreal Canadiens 3-2. Gilmour was also at the game, but didn't play.

"With 13 games left, we have to be focused each and every night and somehow pull this out and, you're right, that's why I was brought here, so hopefully I can have some kind of impact," Gilmour said.