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

  • Xenforo Cloud has upgraded us to version 2.3.6. Please report any issues you experience.
  • We are currently aware of "log in/security error" issues that are affecting some users. We apologize and ask for your patience as we try to get these issues fixed.
Status
Not open for further replies.
So which fanbase cracks first and starts turning on this trade?

Avs have a higher chance of meltdown this year because while CM is both a present and future solution to 2C, the onus is on this club to win big in the playoffs...now. Byram ending the year playing big minutes for the Sabres is house money.

Sabres meltdown chances would be next year if overall record doesn’t improve and structural identity continues to be erratic.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeletedUser539
Avs have a higher chance of meltdown this year because while CM is both a present and future solution to 2C, the onus is on this club to win big in the playoffs...now. Byram ending the year playing big minutes for the Sabres is house money.

Sabres meltdown chances would be next year if overall record doesn’t improve and structural identity continues to be erratic.
I feel like the only way Sabres would meltdown if Byram's injury history creeps up again.
 
Powers needs some snarl. He has the highest potential of Sabre's D to be that shutdown guy. Needs to play angry like Dahlin. Not worried yet he is too young. Dahlin and Byram are going to drive this teams offense into another gear together. Will be dangerous with a good forechecking 4th line as well making space for them to creep toward circles and get to the net. Our 4th line this year was mostly void of offense.
Power has about a zero potential to be a shutdown guy. If he breaks his game open it will be on the offensive side.

Definitely good mutual vibes on a night where both teams win by 4 goals and both players score lol.

I really think Byram will quickly pass Power in the minds of Sabres fans as their #2 blueline building block, as long as he stays healthy. Power has more pure offensive upside but I think he lacks the bite and energy Byram plays with. It’s something I think the Sabres needed. Bo’s definitely got that dog in him.

He already has for me.
 
It is wayyy too early, but Adams has gotta be walkin around the building feeling better these days.

Before:

1710347356396.gif

After:

1710347321666.gif
 
I wouldn't put Mitts as a shutdown guy lol. I hope and maybe eventually because he's very smart but I don't think he's ready for that yet.

For now I think you just want him pacing around 60 points and being serviceable defensively.
Colorado on their run have routinely been a top of the league defensive team. From the COVID shortened season to their cup run they were probably a top 5 defensive team. After the cup, they have moved more down to a top 10 team (depth taking a huge hit).

That being said, Colorado has never used a "traditional" shut down guy. They use their speed and tenacity to take away your space and limit the offense you can generate. Added in, they are often time beating their opposition in puck control, thus again, lowering the offense generated against them.

CM may not be a "traditional" shutdown guy C that is probably being brought up, but in his two games, I feel confident in saying that he is the best center on the defensive side that the Avs have had since ROR. I'm not expecting some yearly Selke love or anything, but I have the feeling his defensive impact will become more apparent as he gets more games in with the Avs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GirardSpinorama
Avs have a higher chance of meltdown this year because while CM is both a present and future solution to 2C, the onus is on this club to win big in the playoffs...now. Byram ending the year playing big minutes for the Sabres is house money.

Sabres meltdown chances would be next year if overall record doesn’t improve and structural identity continues to be erratic.

There are probably a couple of thresholds for things to become heated. Each of their next contracts, any injuries and probably Casey’s playoff performance this year. In the meantime, it seems amicable enough.
 
Byram loves the free-roaming game, which Buffalo provides and the Avs are not a huge fan of.

While Mitts plays a highly cerebral game, and those players are usually at their best when there’s a well-defined system and structure, which the Avs certainly have.

As an Avs fan, I definitely wish nothing but the best for Byram and really appreciate his contribution to the last Cup win (he was instrumental) and feel like both players should benefit from this trade.

It’s so strange to see fans of two different teams being so cordial in an HF trade thread! :laugh:
 
Byram loves the free-roaming game, which Buffalo provides and the Avs are not a huge fan of.

While Mitts plays a highly cerebral game, and those players are usually at their best when there’s a well-defined system and structure, which the Avs certainly have.

As an Avs fan, I definitely wish nothing but the best for Byram and really appreciate his contribution to the last Cup win (he was instrumental) and feel like both players should benefit from this trade.

It’s so strange to see fans of two different teams being so cordial in an HF trade thread! :laugh:

Those are good thoughts so thanks for sharing and I wish more discussions could be cordial and constructive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Daz28
lol just a bit.

Erat was drafted in 1999 and went to Washington in 2013. Casey was drafted in 2017 and got traded to Colorado in 2024.

Weak comparison.

Byram loves the free-roaming game, which Buffalo provides and the Avs are not a huge fan of.

While Mitts plays a highly cerebral game, and those players are usually at their best when there’s a well-defined system and structure, which the Avs certainly have.

As an Avs fan, I definitely wish nothing but the best for Byram and really appreciate his contribution to the last Cup win (he was instrumental) and feel like both players should benefit from this trade.

It’s so strange to see fans of two different teams being so cordial in an HF trade thread! :laugh:
It's easier to be cordial when both players are seemingly good right away with their new teams.
 
  • Like
Reactions: McJedi
It's easier to be cordial when both players are seemingly good right away with their new teams.
Yeah a proper hockey trade.

Byram I feel has more upside, but he also has more injury concerns with the concussions.

Fingers crossed he stays healthy, because he’s a really special player and can be a game changer. As this brief Buffalo stint has proven.
 
  • Like
Reactions: xAvsx89
I need to see more of Casey beyond this year to see if he puts up this type of production year in a year out.

He will benefit playing in Colorado though especially if Rantanen ever plays on his wing.
 
I need to see more of Casey beyond this year to see if he puts up this type of production year in a year out.

He will benefit playing in Colorado though especially if Rantanen ever plays on his wing.
He is pretty consistent in what he brings game to game. He is a streaky goal scorer, but when he is not scoring goals he tends to bring the board battle, defensive awareness in all 3 zones and he tilts the ice for those who are scoring. There are nights when you forget he is on the ice but he is seldom the root cause of some egregious gaffe. During a long season fans will see the flashes and want more of those while ignoring the little things he does that prevent him from being a flashier player. Jmho.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nikolajs Sillers
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?

:huh::help:

This to me is the most interesting aspect of the trade from a Sabres standpoint. Byram is doing very well with Buffalo to the surprise of practically ZERO Avs fans. Let's say he finishes the rest of this season with close to a PPG with the Sabres. At the end of this season, Byram will have 1 year left on his $3.85M contract - which will still leave him an RFA when it's over. How are the Sabres going to proceed ? Offer him an extension at the end of THIS season or wait it out at the risk of it costing maybe even more if he's able to produce at that clip over the course of a full season ?

From a Byram standpoint, if he sees Dahlin at $11M and Power already at $8.35M, is he really accepting less than $8.35M per year ??
 
Colorado is in win now mode so if Mitts gets them the 2C they need then they shouldn't care that much.

But if Byram stays relatively healthy they got the best and more valuable player by a mile in a few yrs IMO.
 
This to me is the most interesting aspect of the trade from a Sabres standpoint. Byram is doing very well with Buffalo to the surprise of practically ZERO Avs fans. Let's say he finishes the rest of this season with close to a PPG with the Sabres. At the end of this season, Byram will have 1 year left on his $3.85M contract - which will still leave him an RFA when it's over. How are the Sabres going to proceed ? Offer him an extension at the end of THIS season or wait it out at the risk of it costing maybe even more if he's able to produce at that clip over the course of a full season ?

From a Byram standpoint, if he sees Dahlin at $11M and Power already at $8.35M, is he really accepting less than $8.35M per year ??

I don't see why he would accept less than 8.35 if h3 puts up ppg numbers for remaining season.
 
Mitts has come such a long way and has really paid his dues, and it shows in every area of the ice. I'm glad he landed on an elite team, I have a much less sour taste in my mouth than when ROR, Eichel and Reinhart found greener pastures.
well yes you just got Bowen Byram as the return
 
I don't watch Makar often, maybe 10 games a year or so.
I more meant it as he doesn't really have a leash.
He doesn't need a leash because he's a more complete player than Byram. Outside of the '22 cup run I don't think I've ever seen him play well defensively for more than a game or two at a time. Before anyone jumps on me, I hope he finds that part of his game. But to this point he excels largely in fire wagon style play, or in short spurts between injuries.

Makar is responsible defensively, hits, has crisp and hard breakout passes, great reads and has a much more complete game than Byram to this point in their young careers. No one was holding Byram down in CO.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: The Hockey Tonk Man
Drouin has pretty solid defensive metrics this year, at least from the eye test he actually back checks and has bought into the Avs system. He's no Nuke or Lehky but the effort is there when in previous years it was not.
Its never been an effort thing. Hes just not a smart player. If his metrics are good its most likely because they are not accurate, he is being carried or hes been lucky.

Theres very little chance he changed over night and hes now good defensively.

Hes not a lazy player at all, anyone that says so is just wrong.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ezpz
Its never been an effort thing. Hes just not a smart player. If his metrics are good its most likely because they are not accurate, he is being carried or hes been lucky.

Theres very little chance he changed over night and hes now good defensively.

Hes not a lazy player at all, anyone that says so is just wrong.
Way to confirm you have NOT seen him play this season with Colorado (or at least since mid-November) and are strictly going with what you've seen in the past.

Don't feel bad, as a clear outsider and fan of neither team - you're in the right thread and fit right in with your comments.

Breaking : Habs fan sad that Drouin is playing well with the Avalanche when he didn't in montreal and they gave up Sergachev. News at 11.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ad

Ad