Confirmed Trade: [COL/BUF] Casey Mittelstadt for Bowen Byram

[Alienblood]

AVs got the young 2C they really needed, BUF adds a very high end DMan that is rarely available. BUF likely won on this deal. Mittelstadt currently the better player, but high potential for Byram leans the trade to the Sabres.

Still don't understand why BUF adds another LD? AVs traded surplus to fill a shortfall. BUF didn't need to trade their best player to increase a surplus position. Mittelstadt commands about the same as Cozens and Thompson @ $7.1M per. BUF avoids paying the same amount for another C. Similarly, AVs didn't want to pay another DMan with Makar and Toews.

Byram develops and remains healthy, creates a surplus problem. Dahlin is the better DMen, although, Power is close. How much do they pay Byram for being the 2nd or 3rd best DMen?

Dahlin - $11M
Power - $8.35M
Samuelsson - $4.28M

Byram - $3.85M

BUF shifted paying another C (best player this season) to D. Just don't understand why they made this deal?

Dahlin can play the right side

Habs should offer sheet Mitts

one.can hope

 

[McJedi]

Exactly, he’s not a rental.

He will be re-signed. The Avs will create space by moving out other contracts if need be. There’s no logical reason to think the avs would treat the 25 year old as rental when they just paid a high price to acquire. He’s legitimately their youngest forward.

Are you suggesting they’ll keep ALL the older guys and treat the youngest as their renta?

You trade away a winger, or a dman to create space.
The Avs will most likely run very thin on their 4th line and bottom pair. Which is fine, because their 1C, 2C, 1D are all locked up.

Hard to say. Manson probably has modest value. So maybe he can be traded for a 2nd or 3rd round pick.

Colton would have less value but probably not negative value.

It would negatively impact the team to trade a Lex or Girard so I’d hate to dump one of them to resign Mitts.

Habs should offer sheet Mitts

Yes. The Avs will accept multiple 1st round picks from the Habs. Unprotected. I like this idea too.

 

[TotalHomer]

I expect Reinhart to go for 10 and if Mittel hits the open market, he'll get 8. We would pay that.

The cap is rising and top 30-40 centers in the open market are a rare commodity.

The rumor is Reinhart gets 9 million, personally I think he'll end up taking a discount at 8.5.

 

[Foppberg]

Of note: this is part of the Duchense Trade Tree

I swear…

 

[TageGod]

Please stop with the Mitts is the best player this season. He had a good first half but is still trending as a 60 point player. He has been okay at best since January. He was the odd man out, the worst of our 3 centers. Cozens and Thompson have gotten back to their game and are infinitely more dynamic. I have watched two games with Byram and when he is paired with Power or Dahlin they drive more offense than Mitts ever has.

 

[KrakenSabresMike]

Please stop with the Mitts is the best player this season. He had a good first half but is still trending as a 60 point player. He has been okay at best since January. He was the odd man out, the worst of our 3 centers. Cozens and Thompson have gotten back to their game and are infinitely more dynamic. I have watched two games with Byram and when he is paired with Power or Dahlin they drive more offense than Mitts ever has.

Thanks for saying this… Mitts has the most points on the team this year, but that should not be confused with being the best player. Scoring the most points when a bunch of superior players are having down years simultaneously does not make you the best player on the team.

It’s fully possible he scores closer to 70 points on the avalanche, but it won’t be because he’s playing at a different level, it’ll just be because he has people finishing what he started at a higher degree. Don’t think he will improve upon his actual play there, meanwhile if Byram keeps playing at this level he’s currently playing at I would make that trade again every day of the week. It’s harder to get a 22 yo potential top pairing defenseman with that offensive ability than it is to get a third line center… Which is what the Sabres were always going to use mitts for. That’s not judging the avalanche at all… I think they got exactly what they needed out of the trade.

 

[avsfan09]

@GirardSpinorama @Pierce Hawthorne @Spirits @josra33 @a mangy Meowth @dirtydanglez

Not trying to be that guy, but so far Byram looks like peak Pieterangelo

He’ll be great for you. His play depends on confidence. But when he’s on he dictates play cerebrally. He’s a step ahead of everyone offensively and defensively. He has above average skill in everywhere but his best skill is his hockey sense. I’m excited for him and will have a long time respect for his importance in our cup year. Was a monster and a game changer. Hope mittelstadt can be the same.

 

[TageGod]

Thanks for saying this… Mitts has the most points on the team this year, but that should not be confused with being the best player. Scoring the most points when a bunch of superior players are having down years simultaneously does not make you the best player on the team.

It’s fully possible he scores closer to 70 points on the avalanche, but it won’t be because he’s playing at a different level, it’ll just be because he has people finishing what he started at a higher degree. Don’t think he will improve upon his actual play there, meanwhile if Byram keeps playing at this level he’s currently playing at I would make that trade again every day of the week. It’s harder to get a 22 yo potential top pairing defenseman with that offensive ability than it is to get a third line center… Which is what the Sabres were always going to use mitts for. That’s not judging the avalanche at all… I think they got exactly what they needed out of the trade.

Agreed, the (most likely) win win trade. Sabre's seem to make a lot of these.

With all that said, 100% of teams want Mitts as a 3C. As a 2C, maybe up to 50%, just not us.

I would like to acquire a Mitts similar player (take some off the playmaking and add the skill to finishing) for 3C this offseason.

 

[Perratrooper]

Thanks for saying this… Mitts has the most points on the team this year, but that should not be confused with being the best player. Scoring the most points when a bunch of superior players are having down years simultaneously does not make you the best player on the team.

It’s fully possible he scores closer to 70 points on the avalanche, but it won’t be because he’s playing at a different level, it’ll just be because he has people finishing what he started at a higher degree. Don’t think he will improve upon his actual play there, meanwhile if Byram keeps playing at this level he’s currently playing at I would make that trade again every day of the week. It’s harder to get a 22 yo potential top pairing defenseman with that offensive ability than it is to get a third line center… Which is what the Sabres were always going to use mitts for. That’s not judging the avalanche at all… I think they got exactly what they needed out of the trade.

Sorry you think he’s closer to a 70 point scorer with the Avs and you believe that’s a third line center..?

The Avs may lose this trade from a pure player value stand-point, however from an actual asset perspective it makes much more sense from the Avs. Trades don’t happen in a vacuum, Byram requested a trade and Colorado has Toews and Girard on the left side, with Behrens and Gulyayev as two of the Avs top prospects who also play LHD. Conversely, the Avs center depth prior to this trade was MacKinnon, Colton, RyJo, Wagner with Ritchie in the wings, but likely 3 years out from potentially being a top 6 center.

The Avs window is now and yes it would have been great to land a 2C without moving Byram, but that likely forces managements hand to move out another critical piece to make space for a player that has requested a trade.

 

[yeaher]

Thanks for saying this… Mitts has the most points on the team this year, but that should not be confused with being the best player. Scoring the most points when a bunch of superior players are having down years simultaneously does not make you the best player on the team.

It’s fully possible he scores closer to 70 points on the avalanche, but it won’t be because he’s playing at a different level, it’ll just be because he has people finishing what he started at a higher degree. Don’t think he will improve upon his actual play there, meanwhile if Byram keeps playing at this level he’s currently playing at I would make that trade again every day of the week. It’s harder to get a 22 yo potential top pairing defenseman with that offensive ability than it is to get a third line center… Which is what the Sabres were always going to use mitts for. That’s not judging the avalanche at all… I think they got exactly what they needed out of the trade.

Wouldn't him scoring 70 points on the AVs imply that he is playing on a different level

Agreed, the (most likely) win win trade. Sabre's seem to make a lot of these.

With all that said, 100% of teams want Mitts as a 3C. As a 2C, maybe up to 50%, just not us.

I would like to acquire a Mitts similar player (take some off the playmaking and add the skill to finishing) for 3C this offseason.

Just put Tage Thompson on the third line and you are set

 

[TageGod]

Wouldn't him scoring 70 points on the AVs imply that he is playing on a different level



Just put Tage Thompson on the third line and you are set

Mitts and Tage are not similar players this is a dumb statement. Mitts has nothing dynamic in him whatsoever. I don't consider a seam pass that even Skinner did regularly last year as dynamic. He isn't fast, can barely score. Relies on wingers for zone entries. If this team want's D and transition to drive offense, Mitt's isn't it anyways.

 

[Ararana]

Of note: this is part of the Duchense Trade Tree

The gift that keeps giving.

Duchene was our 2C at the time of of the trade, now a single piece of the return just brought us a 25 year old 2C under team control.

 

[GreatSaveEssensa]

If Byram commands 11.5 million, then the Sabres got a heck of a steal with this trade.

No way in hell is Byram going to ask for or get anywhere close to 11.5 mil per season. Not even close to that

 

[EdAVSfan]

No way in hell is Byram going to ask for or get anywhere close to 11.5 mil per season. Not even close to that

We’ll have to wait and see where his contract goes.
But it’s going to be hard for him to look over at his defensive teammates and not compare.

If they utilize him as a top pair guy, top PP, he’s going to want to be in the realm of the guys around.
What happens if he produces similarly to Dahlin?

 

[GreatSaveEssensa]

We’ll have to wait and see where his contract goes.
But it’s going to be hard for him to look over at his defensive teammates and not compare.

If they utilize him as a top pair guy, top PP, he’s going to want to be in the realm of the guys around.
What happens if he produces similarly to Dahlin?

He wont. Dahlin is Buffalos guy. He will always be the go to D man, getting PP1 time and mist of the prime ice time. Most teams have an internal cap structure and a new guy coming in will not get paid more than the guy Buffalo drafted and is basically the face of the franchise going forward. And rightfully so.

 

[drede]

Well for a start Mittelstadt is a pending RFA not UFA...I believe he also has two years of RFA eligibility left which means that, even if things go horribly this offseason and Mittelstadt files for arbitration, the Avs (as the party not filing for arbitration) can select a two year term. So, the Avs can pretty much guarantee he's here until 2026.

But the Avs have needed a decent #2 centre for long enough that I'm guessing they will get it done. By all accounts the Avs were offering Kadri 6+ million per year two seasons ago but couldn't move the necessary cap (EJ) in time.

My bad thought he had ufa

 

[EdAVSfan]

He wont. Dahlin is Buffalos guy. He will always be the go to D man, getting PP1 time and mist of the prime ice time. Most teams have an internal cap structure and a new guy coming in will not get paid more than the guy Buffalo drafted and is basically the face of the franchise going forward. And rightfully so.

I actually don’t disagree with your overall premise. The point I’m making is it depends on what Byram thinks/wants.

He’s likely going to look around at Power and Dahlins contracts as compared. How they go from here til his contract negotiations will matter.

Don’t also forget that this will be Byram’s 3rd contract. He’ll be 2 years from UFA. His next extension will cover many more UFA years than both Dahlin and Powers contracts. Both those got long term contracts out of their ELC. That’s 4 years each of RFA years being bought. For Byram, it’s only 2.

 

[JLo217]

Byram was playing like a 6D on the Avs and Mitts was in the 3C territory for Buffalo it sounds like.

I don't get the point of bickering values back and forth. Both teams got players they wanted/needed for where they're at. I appreciate the feedback from some Sabres fans. But I don't get the point of rubbing in Byram's success or Mitts failures as some value pissing match.

Byram is going to take off in a system that has no system. Byram outside of maybe 30 NHL games in his career has been a bottom pairing D with potential to be a top 2D on the Avs. That said he hasn't been able to take spots from anyone on the roster including Manson with his play. His play at times has been below JJ. So it wasn't going to work for CO and it opened up space for a much needed 2C upgrade over Ryjo.

Both players get a shot, and both teams got players they identifies as a need. Win/Win.

 

[JLo217]

Mitts and Tage are not similar players this is a dumb statement. Mitts has nothing dynamic in him whatsoever. I don't consider a seam pass that even Skinner did regularly last year as dynamic. He isn't fast, can barely score. Relies on wingers for zone entries. If this team want's D and transition to drive offense, Mitt's isn't it anyways.

Well good thing they have a lot of great puck movers, players with great puck possession skills and other skill sets that will let him thrive. The teams are nowhere near being in the same place, systems aren't even comparable, coaches, management and the levels of talent between the two teams outside of 1 or 2 players in Buffalo matching Colorado's high end play.

Colorado was clearly looking for a fit and the right kind of player. If you need a larger look at players that have been brought into CO they have a fit. Nearly all of them thrive. Nuke, Burky, Drouin, E-Rod, on and on. Some haven't worked, but most improve and have their best years.

 

[TageGod]

Well good thing they have a lot of great puck movers, players with great puck possession skills and other skill sets that will let him thrive. The teams are nowhere near being in the same place, systems aren't even comparable, coaches, management and the levels of talent between the two teams outside of 1 or 2 players in Buffalo matching Colorado's high end play.

Colorado was clearly looking for a fit and the right kind of player. If you need a larger look at players that have been brought into CO they have a fit. Nearly all of them thrive. Nuke, Burky, Drouin, E-Rod, on and on. Some haven't worked, but most improve and have their best years.

Okay. Mitts will always be what he is. Maybe he gets more points next to better wingers, but he had Tuch for a lot of the season. Colorado is not a young team.

 

[JLo217]

Okay. Mitts will always be what he is. Maybe he gets more points next to better wingers, but he had Tuch for a lot of the season. Colorado is not a young team.

I don't feel like you'll get it. You clearly don't watch CO.

 

[TageGod]

I don't feel like you'll get it. You clearly don't watch CO.

What are you even trying to argue here?

 

[JLo217]

What are you even trying to argue here?

I'm not trying to argue anything with you. I'm saying you don't know enough about CO to weigh in on how he'll play there. At this point no one knows. Buffalo fans are obviously stoked on Byram as they should be. He's exciting without a system, a leash or having to play D in a structured system.

Saying Mitts is going to be what he is based on what he was in Buffalo is like me saying Byram is going to be a 3rd pairing D-man and nothing more based on what he brought to CO. He couldn't jump over vets like Manson or Girard... That said I'm rooting for him and hope he can reach his potential in Buffalo. I think he can if he gets the ice time and better support/coaching than what Buffalo currently has.

What people should really be talking about is the long term fits versus what the players were on their old teams. Colorado may not be a young team, but they have a far better system than Buffalo, better roster, better coaching, better management and is a contender. Players thrive in CO. I'm not saying Mitts will. Heck look at Toews coming over at a similar age.

AT the end of the day for w/e reason fans love to win trades and will argue on the internet for years after a trade for some reason.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

What are you even trying to argue here?

Mitts doesnt need to become a "better player" to be a more valuable player after a team change. It happens a lot when players go to better teams or teams with a better fit. Just like Reinhart, o'reilly, eichel etc. At the same time, tage thompson might never have developed with the Blues without opportunity on a worse team.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Seems like a fair trade right now.

Seems like Colorado gave up the better piece long term. Will be interesting to look back at this in a few years.

Trade gives Colorado some fire for this years playoffs!!