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

[Sabresfansince1980]

Im interested to know why exactly wasnt Mittlestadt part of Buffalos plans and also Sean Walker why he wasn't part of Philadelphias plans?

Buffalo would have been able to re-sign Mittelstadt and still have 3-5 mil in cap space next season. They would need to re-sign a couple other RFAs and then find a few checking line FWs, nothing crazy other than the potential of a top4 RHD. It simply boils down to even though the front office has talked the last couple years about wanting guys who want to be in Buffalo and paying their own, Mitts outplayed their expectations and they didn't want to pay him 6.5+M. IMO this is pretty good proof that they're operating on an internal budget, and just don't want to get near the cap ceiling.

To me it's pathetic, and they now have only three Cs - two guys that took a big step back and another that has yet to take a step forward. Byram could be a good add but the hole left at center ice is not going to be replaced, because Adams himself said today he's happy with who he has and the prospects. To be clear, the only true C among the prospects is Ostlund, who is at least 2-3 years away. The Sabres are just kicking the can down the road again, because they're not serious about contending if it means spending too closely to the cap.

 

[tsujimoto74]

I like Mittelstadt a lot but I wonder how he'll fit into Colorado's more high octane pace game, he's more of an old-school slow it down guy.

This is true, but he’s also a very smart player. Guys who play smart tend to play well everywhere.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Im interested to know why exactly wasnt Mittlestadt part of Buffalos plans and also Sean Walker why he wasn't part of Philadelphias plans?

I think the Sabres view Thompson and Cozens as their top 6 Cs long term (and the contracts they gave both last summer back that up), and they just didn’t want to tie up more money/cap at the position, at least not as much as Casey’s gonna rightfully command.

 

[dire wolf]

I think the Sabres view Thompson and Cozens as their top 6 Cs long term (and the contracts they gave both last summer back that up), and they just didn’t want to tie up more money/cap at the position, at least not as much as Casey’s gonna rightfully command.

I think that's only part of it. The other part (which you can reasonably disagree with) is that they have a huge number of F prospects coming up and are much thinner at D. I think Adams and his staff think they are selling Mittelstadt at roughly his peak value, and buying Byram at a discount. They could be correct. The problem is that, in the short term, BUF has a hole to fill at center that the prospects aren't ready for. They will either have to shift more players around, rush a prospect, or make another move this summer.

 

[tsujimoto74]

I think that's only part of it. The other part (which you can reasonably disagree with) is that they have a huge number of F prospects coming up and are much thinner at D. I think Adams and his staff think they are selling Mittelstadt at roughly his peak value, and buying Byram at a discount. They could be correct. The problem is that, in the short term, BUF has a hole to fill at center that the prospects aren't ready for. They will either have to shift more players around, rush a prospect, or make another move this summer.

Yeah, this part is tougher to speculate on. I don’t think Kulich or Savoie are centers in the NHL, but Adams and Granato might, and either or both of those guys could be full-time NHLers as soon as next year. I suspect we’ll be waiting on Ostlund to fill that 200’ up-and-down the line-up C role, though.

 

[dire wolf]

Yeah, this part is tougher to speculate on. I don’t think Kulich or Savoie are centers in the NHL, but Adams and Granato might, and either or both of those guys could be full-time NHLers as soon as next year. I suspect we’ll be waiting on Ostlund to fill that 200’ up-and-down the line-up C role, though.

I think Ostlund is most likely to be their 2C eventually -- but probably not for another 2 years. Unless they make a big deal this summer, they'll probably roll with Krebs next year, which is not a good solution if they actually want to make the team better.

 

[Djp]

Im interested to know why exactly wasnt Mittlestadt part of Buffalos plans and also Sean Walker why he wasn't part of Philadelphias plans?

Buffalo has cap concerns coming in summer 2025 or 2026.

This summer doesn't have the cap issue

2024 9/6/0 $21M to spend. Lukkonnen, Krebs, back up goalie, D for $10M
10/7/2 with $11M promote some ELC and sign low cost vets.
2025--Peterka, Quinn, Greenway, Bowen Johnson are RFAs. May see $10M increase in salary.
In 2026-' Benson RFA, Tuch UFA. Clifton money off and could use his space for their raises along with space from cap raise.

With Mittlrstadt signed at $7M+ will make that space very tight.

Buffalo signed thompson and cozens at C, has krebs on team, ostlund starting ELC next year. Buffalo has s bunch other prospect wingers on ELCs that mittlestadt would block their growth.

If the want to do a big trade they have more cap space to handle getting higher salaries players back.

 

[Mattilaus]

Buffalo has cap concerns coming in summer 2025 or 2026.

This summer doesn't have the cap issue

2024 9/6/0 $21M to spend. Lukkonnen, Krebs, back up goalie, D for $10M
10/7/2 with $11M promote some ELC and sign low cost vets.
2025--Peterka, Quinn, Greenway, Bowen Johnson are RFAs. May see $10M increase in salary.
In 2026-' Benson RFA, Tuch UFA. Clifton money off and could use his space for their raises along with space from cap raise.

With Mittlrstadt signed at $7M+ will make that space very tight.

Buffalo signed thompson and cozens at C, has krebs on team, ostlund starting ELC next year. Buffalo has s bunch other prospect wingers on ELCs that mittlestadt would block their growth.

If the want to do a big trade they have more cap space to handle getting higher salaries players back.

ignored here though is the cap increase. The Athletic along with a few other outlets have estimated the cap increasing by about 4 mil a year for the next two years. If they are anywhere close, there is an extra 8 million for the 25-26 season

 

[McJedi]

First period in the books. Mitts looked solid. Got himself one high danger chance on the PP where his shot missed the net and set up another high danger chance for Trenin.

Spent almost no TOI in his own zone. Looks nothing like RyJo. The Avs 2nd line actually has the puck some this game.

Mitts is soft in the face off dot though.

 

[Panthaz89]

Not likely. It's been patently obvious for over a year that the Sabres have exactly one two way forward, being Mittelstadt. That the Sabres brass cannot properly evaluate their own players is heartbreaking. Dylan Cozens is a terrible defensive forward. Tage Thompson is a bad defensive forward. Name another team that has $15 tied up into two centers that can't play defense.
This trade is a bad one for the Sabres because it almost doesn't matter how good Byram is. Unless he's a Norris candidate, this trade is a trainwreck from a team building point of view.

Thompson definitely isn't great on D but Cozens definitely has what it takes to be a great on defense....both are actually 2 of our best PKers on the team while Mitts was average....the reason you notice Cozens in a lot of plays is because he's one of our fastest forwards and can actually make it back in a desperate attempt.

 

[McJedi]

Mitts looked solid in game 1 for the Avs. Huge upgrade on RyJo. But that’s a low bar. He did miss a few great scoring chances. But he earned those chances with skill so that’s encouraging.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Mitts looked solid in game 1 for the Avs. Huge upgrade on RyJo. But that’s a low bar. He did miss a few great scoring chances. But he earned those chances with skill so that’s encouraging.

Yes he does that. Mitts has a very good shot that you’ll see come out sometimes that makes you wonder why he’s not using it more often

 

[Team_Spirit]

Byram is a bad mfer. Replace Mitts with Marchessault this summer you get 2 winner playing big roles on your team the Sabres will be back in the playoffs for the 1st time in 84 years.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Byram is a bad mfer. Replace Mitts with Marchessault this summer you get 2 winner playing big roles on your team the Sabres will be back in the playoffs for the 1st time in 84 years.

Prob not tho. But I would love for Benson to learn from his clone.

 

[sportsdynasty]

Why would Sabres trade away their top centre for a second pairing D?

 

[randywoodsghost]

Why would Sabres trade away their top centre for a second pairing D?

Because at a career high of 59 points, he isn’t a top center.

 

[Mattilaus]

Byram is a bad mfer. Replace Mitts with Marchessault this summer you get 2 winner playing big roles on your team the Sabres will be back in the playoffs for the 1st time in 84 years.

He won't sign here. Just like anyone else.

People always say stuff like "why don't you sign x?" without considering that the player has to agree as well. That's what made Mitts valuable, he wanted to be here. Most players don't and if we do snag them we need to massively overpay and mess up our cap.

 

[Chainshot]

First period in the books. Mitts looked solid. Got himself one high danger chance on the PP where his shot missed the net and set up another high danger chance for Trenin.

Spent almost no TOI in his own zone. Looks nothing like RyJo. The Avs 2nd line actually has the puck some this game.

Mitts is soft in the face off dot though.

He shouldn't look anything like RyJo - Mitts gives a damn.

And yes, he's poor at faceoffs. Some specific night's he will be solid, but figure he's going to get beaten more than he wins as his 45% career figure indicates.

 

[Reddawg]

Why would Sabres trade away their top centre for a second pairing D?

A second pairing D that immediately was slotted on our top pairing?

 

[Alienblood]

I think that's only part of it. The other part (which you can reasonably disagree with) is that they have a huge number of F prospects coming up and are much thinner at D. I think Adams and his staff think they are selling Mittelstadt at roughly his peak value, and buying Byram at a discount. They could be correct. The problem is that, in the short term, BUF has a hole to fill at center that the prospects aren't ready for. They will either have to shift more players around, rush a prospect, or make another move this summer.

conversely the Avs need a LD puck rusher too.

He won't sign here. Just like anyone else.

People always say stuff like "why don't you sign x?" without considering that the player has to agree as well. That's what made Mitts valuable, he wanted to be here. Most players don't and if we do snag them we need to massively overpay and mess up our cap.

Maybe he can be trade back to you when the Avs lose in the 2nd round

 

[McJedi]

A second pairing D that immediately was slotted on our top pairing?

And played 25 minutes while sick.

conversely the Avs need a LD puck rusher too.


Maybe he can be trade back to you when the Avs lose in the 2nd round

Well. The Avs top prospect is a LHD puck rushing player in the KHL. Mikheil Gulyayev. He’s been amazing this season as an 18 year old.

 

[Dubi Doo]

First period in the books. Mitts looked solid. Got himself one high danger chance on the PP where his shot missed the net and set up another high danger chance for Trenin.

Spent almost no TOI in his own zone. Looks nothing like RyJo. The Avs 2nd line actually has the puck some this game.

Mitts is soft in the face off dot though.

You'll notice he's not much of a shooter. Think of him as a two-way playmaker. Great player to have for a cup run and beyond.

 

[Uberpecker]

Because at a career high of 59 points, he isn’t a top center.

He was for the Sabres, though, and his play over the last ten or so months has shown that he can be a top 6 center, maybe even top line C.
And given how slumping or flat-out bad his linemates were for the better part of his tenure in Buffalo his numbers aren't that bad at all.
It's not unreasonable to believe that he can take another step forward in the pointz department on a real contender with actual coaching and linemates that know how to win.

 

[McJedi]

You'll notice he's not much of a shooter. Think of him as a two-way playmaker. Great player to have for a cup run and beyond.

Avs need a guy that resigns for $5.something anyway. Mitts missed two very high danger shots last night. Slick moves to free himself up for the close range dump-in.

Avs can’t afford a great 2C. We’ll settle for solid and appropriately paid 2C.

 

[Alienblood]

And played 25 minutes while sick.

Well. The Avs top prospect is a LHD puck rushing player in the KHL. Mikheil Gulyayev. He’s been amazing this season as an 18 year old.

ya but he's small and might take forever coming over. I'm with ya on most but yes he's the hope.

I think we draft a dman this year as there are a few and a Swedish gem lurking in our spot which will likely be late 20's.

I don't think we get past the 2nd round honestly.