Dreger: Byram trade being explored

[GilPerreault]

If/when the Sabres trade Byram, it will be in a package for a player/players who will help the team now. It won't be a one for one.

They are not going through another Tuch year where they get stuck with him for nothing, especially since he wants to be a #1 D and to be paid 10 million +. He is as good as gone, I think.

 

[Yatzhee]

Would you say there is a huge difference between 9th overall and 20th overall?

Would you also say there is a huge difference between a $5.5m contract and a $9m contract?

Also, Mikkola played with Montour/OEL/Kulikov in their 1st Cup run.

I'm not saying my proposal is perfect or even good/workable, if you don't have interest in Mikkola that's fine, but your reasoning against it is kinda wishy washy.

The Sabres don’t need more high draft picks. Their young star prospects are overflowing as it is. They need a Robert Thomas type 1 C. In that prime years age, not old enough to fade in 2 to 4 years, not young enough to still need maturing to run a top line.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

The Sabres don’t need more high draft picks. Their young star prospects are overflowing as it is. They need a Robert Thomas type 1 C. In that prime years age, not old enough to fade in 2 to 4 years, not young enough to still need maturing to run a top line.

They arent getting that for Byram, even with an extension, even with a big +.

 

[Yatzhee]

They arent getting that for Byram, even with an extension, even with a big +.

And m not saying they will. But here are some things to remember here that are reality, and that’s Buffalo’s needs in a trade. Take the Kesselring trade for example, and this I would pay attention to, because we fans here in Buffalo are. Byram made his situation known last season, before signing the 2 year bridge deal, Jarmo, Bergevin, Flynn and staff were and are full aware of what Byram wants. Byram has not asked for a trade, the Sabres have not been shopping him, as a point of fact Jarmo’s consistent statements have been re-signing Benson and Byram were top priorities, more than Tuch, more than others.

Dreger comments teams are calling, Jarmo’s repeated philosophy and stated publicly is you build from the back end. The Sabres have a top 4 that are all currently 26 on down to 22 yrs old. A top 4 considered by many to be in the top 1 to 3 top 4 in the NHL. These guys are game drivers. So when a trade proposal is made, almost 100% of them are based on the “Buffalo has to do something, we can get a high quality LD for quantity or futures” type deal. That’s not going to fly in this case, and yes, that’s opinion based on what has factually been stated, factual knows on the entirety of the larger picture for the Sabres and their current mngt team/team philosophy and strengths.

 

[Mattb124]

And m not saying they will. But here are some things to remember here that are reality, and that’s Buffalo’s needs in a trade. Take the Kesselring trade for example, and this I would pay attention to, because we fans here in Buffalo are. Byram made his situation known last season, before signing the 2 year bridge deal, Jarmo, Bergevin, Flynn and staff were and are full aware of what Byram wants. Byram has not asked for a trade, the Sabres have not been shopping him, as a point of fact Jarmo’s consistent statements have been re-signing Benson and Byram were top priorities, more than Tuch, more than others.

Dreger comments teams are calling, Jarmo’s repeated philosophy and stated publicly is you build from the back end. The Sabres have a top 4 that are all currently 26 on down to 22 yrs old. A top 4 considered by many to be in the top 1 to 3 top 4 in the NHL. These guys are game drivers. So when a trade proposal is made, almost 100% of them are based on the “Buffalo has to do something, we can get a high quality LD for quantity or futures” type deal. That’s not going to fly in this case, and yes, that’s opinion based on what has factually been stated, factual knows on the entirety of the larger picture for the Sabres and their current mngt team/team philosophy and strengths.

With all due respect, both parties need to sign the contract. It doesn’t matter how much the Sabers want to keep him if he wants a situation where he can be a #1 D. And that seems to be supported the larger picture with Bryan (e.g. current contract structure).

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

And m not saying they will. But here are some things to remember here that are reality, and that’s Buffalo’s needs in a trade. Take the Kesselring trade for example, and this I would pay attention to, because we fans here in Buffalo are. Byram made his situation known last season, before signing the 2 year bridge deal, Jarmo, Bergevin, Flynn and staff were and are full aware of what Byram wants. Byram has not asked for a trade, the Sabres have not been shopping him, as a point of fact Jarmo’s consistent statements have been re-signing Benson and Byram were top priorities, more than Tuch, more than others.

Dreger comments teams are calling, Jarmo’s repeated philosophy and stated publicly is you build from the back end. The Sabres have a top 4 that are all currently 26 on down to 22 yrs old. A top 4 considered by many to be in the top 1 to 3 top 4 in the NHL. These guys are game drivers. So when a trade proposal is made, almost 100% of them are based on the “Buffalo has to do something, we can get a high quality LD for quantity or futures” type deal. That’s not going to fly in this case, and yes, that’s opinion based on what has factually been stated, factual knows on the entirety of the larger picture for the Sabres and their current mngt team/team philosophy and strengths.

If Byram is going to re-sign, that's one thing. I'm coming from a place of, "if Byram is planning to go FA after this season/will not re-sign, this is a way to make the best of that situation." Otherwise, I assume, as you said, he won't be traded.

I will say, I think you are somewhat undervaluing Mikkola. He is, himself, a high-quality LD, in his prime, signed long-term at a low cap hit. There are likely teams (MTL, for example) that would rather have him than Byram. He would bring a very different element than Byram, but I think theres a strong possibility that your D would be similarly strong with Mikkola as with Byram. Mikkola is huge, quick, very physical, strong defensively, and can easily eat up 20+ minutes. He's signed til 2034. This is not a 'quantity or futures' trade, it is a swap of LHD (one with more value than the other) and a swap of futures (one with more value than the other), with Buffalo offloading a goalie (potentially one of very little value) to a team that needs one.

 

[Yatzhee]

With all due respect, both parties need to sign the contract. It doesn’t matter how much the Sabers want to keep him if he wants a situation where he can be a #1 D. And that seems to be supported the larger picture with Bryan (e.g. current contract structure).

Both Warrow and Deminicis, Buffalo sports reporters, have stated money is the primary. These guys aren’t rumor posters, they only post up when sources have green lighted the info.

So, if money is the primary, once Benson signs, the Sabres will have moves to make on salary, it’s abundantly clear that unless Norris is moved that means Greenway, McLeod, and I don’t see them moving McLeod. They have a couple UFA’s, Malenstyn being one of them. But those moves are for the coming season if made, any extension offered Byram will come after the 1st, when he can sign it, I expect that to happen.

 

[Cogburn]

Top 6 center and 2nd pairing defenseman. Something with Marcus Pettersson coming back could work.

MP is an easy inclusion, and having spent a lot of time on the East Coast I don't think would need a lot of convincing to joining a much better team.

What else? We aren't exactly oozing top six Cs unfortunately. Byram and I presume Greenway for Pettersson and...a bottom six winger of some positive description? A Hoglander (3 million for 2 years) or Mueller (ELC for another season)? Or a pick or something? An add for Chytil if you want to gamble?