No, this is a lot worse.
Dahlin is supposed to be better on D than Eichel is at C.
Dahlin also plays LD, which allows him to play across Rasmus.
The only way moving Dahlin makes sense, is to trade a player as young, and as good now, as Dahlin could become in comparable time.
Think: Matthews, Boeser, Laine, Barzal.
Now, why would any of those teams trade those players? The only movable pieces I see there are Boeser and Laine, and in terms of value, a true #1 franchise defenseman is worth WAY more than either of those players if they all pan out to be close to equal in terms of skill. Teams don't move #1Cs ever, because they're even more important than #1D imo.
So, does Boeser or Laine straight up get it done for Buffalo? Of course not.
Do either of those teams feel comfortable adding a significant enough piece to make it equal? Of course not, because what if Dahlin ends up being a complete bust (unlikely, but always possible.)
If the pick is going to be moved, the only way it happens is if the Sabres want to move down to say 5 to draft Boqvist. For sake of argument, lets say Montreal finds themselves with the 5th overall pick, and we know that they need an LD, not an RD.
Montreal trades: 5th overall pick, highest of their 2018 2nds, Charlie Lindgren, Nikita Scherbak or 5th overall + Max Pacioretty.
Buffalo Trades: 1st overall, Pominville (cap dump).
That's the TYPE of trade you would see. Not saying Buffalo wants to go that route, but no team is going to pay out the ass for a draft pick. I could see a lesser former high draft pick player being offered with a draft pick (Arizona's 6th overall + Domi) but that really is the best deal Buffalo gets.
If they move that 1st overall, it needs to be packaged with a cap dump, and it needs to return at least a top 7 pick + other pieces that can contribute now, that are younger than 25.
But they're stupid if they move Rasmus Dahlin who would fill the most important role in their lineup after Eichel.
