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Sabres face Predators after trade of All-Star Campbell

Feb 27, 2008 - 1:14 PM Nashville (32-24-8) at Buffalo (30-24-9) 7:00 pm EST

BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) - The Buffalo Sabres face the Nashville Predators on Wednesday in their first game since trading All-Star defenseman Brian Campbell.

The Sabres continue a five-game homestand against the Predators, who are beginning a season-high six-game road trip.

Buffalo attempted to sign Campbell - scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this summer - to a contract extension, but the two sides could not hammer out an agreement.

Campbell, who had five goals and 38 assists this season, rejected a three-year offer worth more than $17 million and was sent to San Jose along with a 2008 seventh-round pick for right wing Steve Bernier and a first-round pick in this year's draft.

Nashville picked up forward Brandon Bochenski from Anaheim for future considerations and obtained forward Jan Hlavac from Tampa Bay for a seventh-round pick in this year's draft.

Buffalo continues to play without injured forwards Maxim Afinogenov (groin), Drew Stafford (ankle) and Jochen Hecht (groin). Hecht is the only one of the three who might play against the Predators.

The Predators are 15-6-6 in 2008, but have won only once in their last four games.

Nashville is making its first appearance in Buffalo since a 5-1 win over the Sabres on January 27, 2003.