Sabres Get Gilmour, Gratton

March 10, 2000 / 2:08 AM EST / CBS/AP

The Buffalo Sabres acquired veteran center Doug Gilmour from the Chicago Blackhawks Friday, trying to make the playoffs and strengthen a lineup weakened by injuries.

It was their second trade for a center in two days: The Sabres got Tampa Bay captain Chris Gratton on Thursday night.

The Blackhawks acquired left wing Michal Grosek for Gilmour and right wing Jean-Pierre Dumont, who was the New York Islanders' third overall pick in the 1996 draft.

"These trades were made first and foremost to focus on the playoffs," Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said. "That's the immediate thing but certainly addresses needs beyond that."

Regier indicated the Sabres are committed to keeping Gilmour through next season, when the terms of his current contract run out.

Gilmour is to make $6 million this year and $6 million next season. Dumont, in the second of a three-year deal, is due to make $875,000. Grosek is making $750,000 in the last year of a three-year deal.

Chicago GM Mike Smith said the Blackhawks will pay "a good portion" of Gilmour's salary over the remainder of the contract.

Although the two deals were made separately, Regier said the Sabres approached them as part of a package in order to add depth and experience to their roster to prepare for the stretch drive.

"When you look at what we gave up and some of the holes that were created, it was important for both deals to come together," he said.

Gratton arrived in Buffalo early Friday afternoon and was expected to be in the lineup for tonight's game against the Montreal Canadiens. Gilmour, who has missed the last four games with bruised ribs, was expected later in the afternoon after which his status would be evaluated by doctors.

"We're getting a guy who's been there, who's done it before and can get it done for us," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.

Buffalo, which has lost captain Mike Peca for four to six weeks with a shoulder injury, is two points out of the playoffs behind Montreal and the New York Rangers, who are tied for eighth place.

The Blackhawks are in last place in the Western Conference, 15 points behind eighth-place San Jose.

"We're in a rebuilding process and don't want to take three years to rebuild," Smith said. "One of the deficiencies on our team is our lack of aggressive and physical play. Michal Grosek is an aggravating and aggressive forward. He's capable of fitting in."

The 36-year-old Gilmour has previously played for St. Louis, Calgary, Toronto and New Jersey. He has 22 goals and 34 assists in 63 games this season with Chicago.

He said earlier this week the anticipation of a trade was difficult: "It's hard knowing all they want to do is move you."

Smith said he contacted Gilmour after the trade was made and said "sorry it took so long. There was a chance earlier in the week but his injury slowed up the decision-making process a little. He's been around and he understands it."

Dumont, 21, has 10 goals and eight assists in 47 games with Chicago this season. The Blackhawks got him from the Islanders in 1998 for Dmitri Nabokov.

Grosek, 24, has 11 goals and 23 assists in 61 games with the Sabres this season. He was traded to the Sabres in 1996 after 27 games with the Winnipeg Jets.

On Thursday night, the Sabres picked up Gratton from Tampa Bay for centers Brian Holzinger and Wayne Primeau and defenseman Cory Sarich.

"He's a guy that can go places and get stuff done against other teams' big defensemen," Ruff said. "He's the type of player that can put some bite back in our club."

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.

Buffalo also is without forward Geoff Sanderson, who has missed three games with a knee sprain. Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik injured a finger on his left hand Thursday night but is expected to play against Montreal.