Confirmed with Link: Casey Mittelstadt traded to COL for D Bo Byram. Straight up.

[Chainshot]

I see the Avs turned right around and picked up Walker and got rid of Johansen's contract.

 

[OkimLom]

I’m firmly on team “hate this trade,” but I do think Cozens eventually rounds into a strong 200’ center. He just had a very rough stretch this year after getting knocked around in that fight.

He was having a rough year before that fight. He fought, because he was pretty useless for the team, and there was criticisms about the team and his play, so he stepped up to send a message.

 

[TehDoak]

This is, plain and simple, a money move.

This is probably one of the best crops of UFA d-men that fit what the Sabres need this year. Dumba, Pesce, Roy, Tanev, etc. Just that 2nd pair, supporting d-man, RHD. What we hoped we were getting in Clifton, we could have gotten. We'd have to pay top of market, sure. But it was out there.

They could have easily signed one of these guys to re-enforce the defense for giving up no assets.

By doing this deal, they are out of that market. No veteran d reinforcements are coming. We have Dahlin/Power/Byram/Joker/Samuelsson/Clifton/Johnson

Adams has already told us what he is shopping this summer, bottom six forwards and bottom pair d

Keeping Mittelstadt + UFA D = Capped out team this summer

Moving Mittelstadt for a D and shoving Krebs in there and hoping he can produce offense: Probably 7-8M below the cap next summer.

 

[Tatanka]

We didn’t trade Mitts for scraps. That isn’t the point. What we did do is weaken a position of need to strengthen a position that was not needed today. Sure Byram can become a star but when? Are we in for more development years? Puzzling.

 

[Reddawg]

I see the Avs turned right around and picked up Walker and got rid of Johansen's contract.

Imagine the utter meltdown if we dealt a 1st for Sean Walker.

 

[5 Minute Major]

I don't necessarily like it but it's not sell the team bad.

You think I’m calling for Pegula to sell the team over one bad trade?

 

[Sabreality]

This thread is so sad. I'm usually just a lurker, have been for a longtime, but I come here to read what I consider reasonable and rational hockey takes compared to those on twitter or reddit. This thread is nothing more than 10 pages of unrelenting bashing and negativity of anything Sabres. Even posters whom I have enjoyed reading for many years for their logical or unique takes, many times different than mine, have simply resorted to just bashing everything.

Its incredibly sad and I acknowledge its the Sabres' fault, but if you hate this team so much just step away, this is depressing and no good for anyones mental health to read. Avs fans comign to this board must think wer're all insane. Its not that important. Yes, theres quite a large amount of risk here but Adams was just talking about how he tried to make moves for players with protection who wouldn't waive. Therefore, if you want elite talent, this is all Buffalo can really do short of tanking every year, at least until they build a winner. Maybe their vision is wrong (strong PMD for 50/60 mins a game) but at least lets see some discussion on the positives of Byram moving forward perhaps? Yeesh

Oh make no mistake, the twitter/reddit crowd has been running amuck on this site for awhile now.

 

[Chainshot]

Imagine the utter meltdown if we dealt a 1st for Sean Walker.

In the position the Sabres are in, yes. The Avs will be picking somewhere in the 24-32 range. If Buffalo had those sort of aspirations, I could understand it since it also involves the Flyers eating Johansen's contract too.

 

[dasaybz]

Keyword, being consistent, so nope.

Huh tage had 38 goals, 47, and is on pace for 25 in a season with a hand injury. Cozens is on pace for 20 this year and had what like 30 last year? Mitts has a career high 15. I don't get it.

 

[Tsyolin]

Guess I'm in the minority here because I think it's a fine trade, not a win or a loss. Mitts has been great but I just never envisioned a future for him on this team with Thompson and Cozens already locked up long term. We're we really prepared to give Mitts the Cozens deal to be our 3rd line center?

Selling high was the way to go, and while yes Byram is a risk with his concussion history, I think getting a top 4 D is a good find. I don't really put a ton of stock in the whole LHD thing.

One thing I know for certain is I'm thanking God this trade was for an NHL player and not futures. I'm so done with picks and prospects. I'm curious to see how Byram performs.

 

[Tatanka]

Imagine the utter meltdown if we dealt a 1st for Sean Walker.

It was also the cost to move RyJo

 

[Zman5778]

I see the Avs turned right around and picked up Walker and got rid of Johansen's contract.

Techinically.......the Avs picked up Walker and then turned right around and dealt us Byram.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Imagine the utter meltdown if we dealt a 1st for Sean Walker.

I mean, considering our 1st is gonna be about 30 spots higher than the Avs.

 

[Mattilaus]

This thread is so sad. I'm usually just a lurker, have been for a longtime, but I come here to read what I consider reasonable and rational hockey takes compared to those on twitter or reddit. This thread is nothing more than 10 pages of unrelenting bashing and negativity of anything Sabres. Even posters whom I have enjoyed reading for many years for their logical or unique takes, many times different than mine, have simply resorted to just bashing everything.

Its incredibly sad and I acknowledge its the Sabres' fault, but if you hate this team so much just step away, this is depressing and no good for anyones mental health to read. Avs fans comign to this board must think wer're all insane. Its not that important. Yes, theres quite a large amount of risk here but Adams was just talking about how he tried to make moves for players with protection who wouldn't waive. Therefore, if you want elite talent, this is all Buffalo can really do short of tanking every year, at least until they build a winner. Maybe their vision is wrong (strong PMD for 50/60 mins a game) but at least lets see some discussion on the positives of Byram moving forward perhaps? Yeesh

Maybe the trade is just that bad? Like sorry, but I am not gonna pretend I am happy with the trade for the sake of false optimism.

What positives are there for Byram? He was good a couple years ago. He has a career high of 24 points, is injured often, and plays a position where we already have 2 #1 OA picks ahead of him on the depth chart. I would love to see some positives but so far all anyone can say is "he has potential". This at the cost of our ONLY decent 2 way C.

 

[Dubi Doo]

5 LHD....but granted that Dahlin is much better and prefers to play the right.

Byram-Dahlin
Power-Sammy
RyJo-Clifton


If Byram hits his ceiling.......that's a nasty top pair.

If this trade was made 3 years ago- I'd be way more content with it, but I just can't get over having to hope a player develops into a stud + creating a giant hole in the center depth. They NEED to aquire a top-9 two-way C before next season. A proven one. If they do that, then Ill feel way more at ease.

But if the plan is to see if one of Cozens or Krebs can take that role, then I'll be even more disappointed.

 

[Dirty Dog]

His ceiling isn’t top 4, come on. His ceiling is a top 2 defensemen. He’s going to play a top 4 role with us. Probably Dahlin’s longterm partner

 

[SwordStanley10]

Oh make no mistake, the twitter/reddit crowd has been running amuck on this site for awhile now.

That doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is that I usually sift through all that noise to find the posters who I have been reading for decades, and now their posts are indistinguishable from the knee jerk reactors. I don't blame those folks, I blame the Sabres' losing for making all of us a bit unhinged (myself included). But if it makes you so angry you just rant nonsense here go touch some grass and get some air

 

[sabremike]

No, we traded our top 2 way center for a left handed defenseman that has concussion problems.

Glad you like the trade.

Problems so bad he was literally contemplating retirement.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

All kinds of reasons to hate this trade, but the most basic and dire aspect is this - there are only three Cs on the roster now, and moving Krebs up to play 3C is a big ask and risk right now. As soon as one of them gets hurt again the team is screwed.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Notice there was not retention, which probably hurt the return too.

 

[joshjull]

This thread is so sad. I'm usually just a lurker, have been for a longtime, but I come here to read what I consider reasonable and rational hockey takes compared to those on twitter or reddit. This thread is nothing more than 10 pages of unrelenting bashing and negativity of anything Sabres. Even posters whom I have enjoyed reading for many years for their logical or unique takes, many times different than mine, have simply resorted to just bashing everything.

Its incredibly sad and I acknowledge its the Sabres' fault, but if you hate this team so much just step away, this is depressing and no good for anyones mental health to read. Avs fans comign to this board must think wer're all insane. It’s not that important. Yes, theres quite a large amount of risk here but Adams was just talking about how he tried to make moves for players with protection who wouldn't waive. Therefore, if you want elite talent, this is all Buffalo can really do short of tanking every year, at least until they build a winner. Maybe their vision is wrong (strong PMD for 50/60 mins a game) but at least let’s see some discussion on the positives of Byram moving forward perhaps? Yeesh

I agree many have lost the plot on here over the last few years. But there are legit reasons to take issues with this trade. You seem to be saying anyone taking issue with it is unreasonably bashing the organization.

 

[stealth1]

This is, plain and simple, a money move.

This is probably one of the best crops of UFA d-men that fit what the Sabres need this year. Dumba, Pesce, Roy, Tanev, etc. Just that 2nd pair, supporting d-man, RHD. What we hoped we were getting in Clifton, we could have gotten. We'd have to pay top of market, sure. But it was out there.

They could have easily signed one of these guys to re-enforce the defense for giving up no assets.

By doing this deal, they are out of that market. No veteran d reinforcements are coming. We have Dahlin/Power/Byram/Joker/Samuelsson/Clifton/Johnson

Adams has already told us what he is shopping this summer, bottom six forwards and bottom pair d

Keeping Mittelstadt + UFA D = Capped out team this summer

Moving Mittelstadt for a D and shoving Krebs in there and hoping he can produce offense: Probably 7-8M below the cap next summer.

Many of you guys forget the biggest issue the Sabres face. Players don't want to come here. It's has nothing to do with being cheap. It's why they end up with Clifton and Johnson. The only ways they get elite talent is through trades and the draft. This team will never be a big player in free agency.

 

[Gras]

I see the Avs turned right around and picked up Walker and got rid of Johansen's contract.

That trade was reported before ours, so likely ours was dependent on that one going through.

 

[Zman5778]

Maybe their vision is wrong (strong PMD for 50/60 mins a game) but at least lets see some discussion on the positives of Byram moving forward perhaps? Yeesh

To be fair, the Pens made it work twice with a majority PMD defense. They had Lovejoy for the 2016 run, but didn't really have that abrasive Dman for 2017. A lot of PMDs/strong positional guys.

 

[OkimLom]

Huh tage had 38 goals, 47, and is on pace for 25 in a season with a hand injury. Cozens is on pace for 20 this year and had what like 30 last year? Mitts has a career high 15. I don't get it.

Casey was used as a matchup center against the other teams' best/high end talented players. It allowed Tage and Cozens for easier minutes. Tage and Cozens haven't shown that ability to be able to handle what will be tougher minutes/matchups. Cozens last year at a run, but eventually ran out of steam/couldn't keep up.