If I were Buffalo, I’d be patient with Cozens and hang on to Byram. He’ll get a smaller contract than Power, and Power will hold higher value in a trade, due to size and draft pedigree (and absence of injury history). Byram fits well in Buffalo and has Cup experience even though he’s young. He’s been in the room and seen what it takes.
Looking at the roster, not that I’d be giving up on them in any fashion, but one or both of Quinn/Benson can go as well. They should hold good value but Peterka is clearly the keeper out of that group of young forwards. They’ll have to make another similar decision out of Ostlund, Helenius, Wahlberg, Kulich down the road. Can’t keep them all.
I would look to package (or two packages) Power, Quinn/Benson and surplus prospects like Rosen/Ostlund and target a 2C and RHD. Ideally two RHD, but one of significance for sure.
Peterka - Thompson - Tuch
Zucker - 2C - Cozens
Greenway - McLeod - Quinn
Malenstyn - Krebs - Lafferty
Dahlin - RHD
Byram - Samuelsson/RHD 2
Samuelsson - Clifton
UPL
Levi
Zucker and Greenway get moved at the deadline. Opens spots for guys like Kulich and also, would definitely consider moving an additional prospect or two, as well as picks, for a solid middle six wing or two under contract.
I don’t think the Sabres are nearly as far from being good as they seem. At this stage, they are too young and guys like Benson, Quinn, Peterka are too same-y. They need to get slightly older/more experienced while diversifying the type of players in their top-nine forward group. Shit, I’d even consider trying to re-sign Greenway and find another solid third liner with some bite to play on McLeod’s other wing. I think the Sabres, despite the long drought looking like it will continue, are actually nearly there. Rather than Byram and Cozens, it’s Power, Quinn and maybe Benson (along with making some choices on which prospects to keep/move) that I would move and who I believe have plenty of value to address several of the Sabres needs.
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