BUFFALO, N.Y., March 10 (UPI) -- The Buffalo Sabres Monday sent captain Stu Barnes to the Dallas Stars for center Mike Ryan and a second-round pick in 2003.
The Sabres continued their housecleaning Monday, and are on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs.
Barnes, 32, has 11 goals and 21 assists in 68 games for the Sabres this season. The veteran center was acquired by Buffalo on March 11, 1999, and later became the 11th captain in team history.
"Stu has been a tremendous leader for our organization," said Buffalo General Manager Darcy Regier. "He is a tremendous individual, and has been a great asset to the organization and the community. We wish him the best in Dallas."
In 310 games with Buffalo, Barnes had 67 goals and 172 points. He was especially effective in the postseason, scoring 14 goals in 39 career playoff games with the Sabres.
Ryan was the Stars' first choice, 32nd overall, in the 1999 draft. As a senior at Northeastern University, he led his team in scoring with 18 goals, 14 assists, and 32 points in 34 games.
Buffalo, which traded left wing Vaclav Varada in late February, sent longtime Sabre Rob Ray to Ottawa earlier on Monday.
