BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- The Buffalo Sabres have traded defenseman Jordan Leopold to the St. Louis Blues for two draft picks.

Buffalo announced the move before its game against the Washington Capitals on Saturday. It comes with the NHL trading deadline approaching on Wednesday.

The Sabres received a second-round pick and a conditional fifth-round pick in this year's draft.

Leopold, who won the Hobey Baker award and helped the Gophers win a national championship in 2002, is a 10-year NHL veteran who has spent the past three seasons in Buffalo. He has two goals and six assists in 24 games this season in the final year of his contract.

Leopold, 32, is expected to make his Blues' debut Monday at Xcel Energy Center when St. Louis takes on the Wild.

The underachieving Sabres (13-16-5) are attempting to retool their roster, with an eye on rebuilding for next season.