Roster thread: Get To Work (2022-2023 Season)

[Uberpecker]

If Mitts is not needed and trated for D who is gonna replace him? We have lots of prospects, but our forward depth is not that great. If JJ and Ouinn keep slumping and Mitts is gone where is the secondary scoring coming from?

Look no further than our press box. Neither Hinostroza nor Asplund are that far apart from Mittelstadt production-wise. Both are capable top 9 players and have been important parts of our middle 6 only half a season ago.

Would they be a downgrade from Mitts the way he's currently playing? Likely, but not a dramatic one.

And we'd have a much improved d-corps in that scenario, plus another forward with Puljujärvi.

 

[Dingo44]

Look no further than our press box. Neither Hinostroza nor Asplund are that far apart from Mittelstadt production-wise. Both are capable top 9 players and have been important parts of our middle 6 only half a season ago.

Would they be a downgrade from Mitts the way he's currently playing? Likely, but not a dramatic one.

And we'd have a much improved d-corps in that scenario, plus another forward with Puljujärvi.

Did I miss something? How are turning Mitts into a D + Puljujärvi? Especially with the Oilers being desperate for a left defenseman themselves?

 

[Uberpecker]

Did I miss something? How are turning Mitts into a D + Puljujärvi? Especially with the Oilers being desperate for a left defenseman themselves?

Yes you did. I proposed three trades, Mitts for Peeke, Olofsson for Fabbro, a pick (plus maybe Bryson with retention) for Puljujärvi.

 

[Zman5778]

The Yotes reportedly want a 1st, a high end prospect (1st equivalent), plus more.

It wouldn't surprise me if you could get Ekholm for just a 1st or a high end prospect alone.

My spitball price for Ekholm was a 1st and decent prospect.

I'd easily offer our unprotected 2024 1st and Kisakov for him......which tells me that might be a little light.

 

[Beerz]

Look no further than our press box. Neither Hinostroza nor Asplund are that far apart from Mittelstadt production-wise. Both are capable top 9 players and have been important parts of our middle 6 only half a season ago.

Would they be a downgrade from Mitts the way he's currently playing? Likely, but not a dramatic one.

And we'd have a much improved d-corps in that scenario, plus another forward with Puljujärvi.

That's quite a take. Asplund is a black hole offensively... Hino gets hot sometimes but usually is a blackhole as well

 

[Jim Bob]

My spitball price for Ekholm was a 1st and decent prospect.

I'd easily offer our unprotected 2024 1st and Kisakov for him......which tells me that might be a little light.

With the way the team is going, I'd give up an unprotected 23 1st and Kisakov for Ekholm.

 

[Zman5778]

With the way the team is going, I'd give up an unprotected 23 1st and Kisakov for Ekholm.

I still can't part with that unprotected 23 yet. I am completely unconvinced that we're not going to hit another slump that will kill our playoff hopes.

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

With the way the team is going, I'd give up an unprotected 23 1st and Kisakov for Ekholm.

I'd be curious what the cost of Murphy would be, might be a more affordable option and fits the need better. Hell Murphy and someone to replace Bryson on the 3rd pairing would be ideal.

 

[PatLaFontaineASMR]

I'd be curious what the cost of Murphy would be, might be a more affordable option and fits the need better. Hell Murphy and someone to replace Bryson on the 3rd pairing would be ideal.

I'd guess probably a 2nd + prospect.

 

[Jim Bob]

I still can't part with that unprotected 23 yet. I am completely unconvinced that we're not going to hit another slump that will kill our playoff hopes.

I would push to make it top 3 protected. But, that wouldn't be a huge stumbling point for me because I think this team will make it given where they are today, how they are trending, and the bump they would get from a trade like this.

 

[Weltschmerz]

I would push to make it top 3 protected. But, that wouldn't be a huge stumbling point for me because I think this team will make it given where they are today, how they are trending, and the bump they would get from a trade like this.

Still need some desaster protection, imagine if Tage or Dahlin get hurt.

 

[PatLaFontaineASMR]

Yes you did. I proposed three trades, Mitts for Peeke, Olofsson for Fabbro, a pick (plus maybe Bryson with retention) for Puljujärvi.

What do you like about Fabbro? Preds fans seem to complain about him a lot so I'm surprised to see all the interest.

 

[Jim Bob]

I'd be curious what the cost of Murphy would be, might be a more affordable option and fits the need better. Hell Murphy and someone to replace Bryson on the 3rd pairing would be ideal.

I don't see Murphy fitting the need for a partner for Power more than Ekholm.

Murphy will be cheaper because he isn't as good a defensive defenseman.

 

[Bendium]

I still can't part with that unprotected 23 yet. I am completely unconvinced that we're not going to hit another slump that will kill our playoff hopes.

If you make the trade, it is because you believe you can get there. Your not just making this trade for a dman, but likely at least one more to improve your bottom 6. In which case the 1st does not need protecting. On top of that, until you get into the top 10, the lottery odds are not even out of the single digits.

 

[Jim Bob]

Still need some desaster protection, imagine if Tage or Dahlin get hurt.

I do not think you want your GM making decisions from a point of being scared that an injury could happen or the team could go on a losing streak.

What if they don't do anything and they just miss the playoffs because of a disagreement over top 3 vs top 10 protecting of a pick?

 

[Weltschmerz]

I do not think you want your GM making decisions from a point of being scared that an injury could happen or the team could go on a losing streak.

What if they don't do anything and they just miss the playoffs because of a disagreement over top 3 vs top 10 protecting of a pick?

Could live with top 3 protection (would prefer top 5), but there is a lot of ground between doing nothing and trading the pick without any protection.

 

[Der Jaeger]

2023 Trade Deadline Countdown: What is the market for Mattias Ekholm?

What does the big, rangy blueliner bring, which teams are the best fits, and what would be a realistic return?

www.dailyfaceoff.com

I would be really curious if Ekholm could be a really good partner for Power on the second pair.

I like him as a D target over Chychrun at this point.

With the way the team is going, I'd give up an unprotected 23 1st and Kisakov for Ekholm.

I've been thinking about trading for Ekholm for a week or so, since the report of him possibly being available came out.

He would be the ideal partner for Power, and essentially give the Sabres identical top pairs. Ekholm can play both sides and flop as Power wanders. He can play a stay at home game. He's what we hope Samuelsson develops into.

Nashville (Hynes and Poille) want size. So a deal with a throw in on our end (Kisakov) won't work. It'll hurt more. It'd need to be Buffalo's 1st and someone like Bloom.

 

[Bendium]

Don't put words in my mouth.

No "false concerns" as far as I can see. It's pretty simple, really:

Mittelstadt is a natural center who has the skill and ability to drive a top 2 line. That's very valuable to many a team in the league, less so, however, for the Sabres, who have alternatives as well as an upcoming logjam of skilled forwards on the horizon.

Sure you can play him in a lesser role like we do right now, but that's not necessarily good asset management, when at the same time we have a big hole in our defense.

Hence, Mitts should be on the table if the right deal for a top 4 RHD presents itself.

If we can get that kind of dman for lesser assets, even better, I gladly keep Mitts.

To summerize:

Casey Mittelstadt is
1. a valuable player capable of playing an important position (scoring line center)
2. not needed in that position on the Sabres
3. therefore an expendable asset that should be on the table for the right deal.

In response to the bolded.

Like any developing player, as time goes by the floor and ceiling around a player start to tighten up and converge around what they really are. We all had high hopes for Casey to another step up as a center this year. It didn't happen.....again. I do not think it is from lack of effort at all. Some blame his linemates, but I do not. From what I have seen watching him for 5 years now, is that it is a matter of quickness, which is the milliseconds it takes to take in multiple inputs, process them into a course of action, and then make the initial physical movement to enact the decision. This is different than speed, dexterity, or agility. At center there are a lot more inputs and responsibilities to process, and for some that can hold up the response. On the wing, there are alot less inputs and responsibilities to process, so actions can come quicker and natural physical skills like speed and agility can be more effective.

I am convinced at this point that Mitts future is as a solid, but nothing special, middle six winger, not center. He therefor should be rostered or even traded as such. If some other team still believes he can be a #2 center and will give you that trade value, then pull the trigger. Otherwise, play him on the wing, and do not be afraid to include him in any trade that improves the team overall.

 

[Jim Bob]

I've been thinking about trading for Ekholm for a week or so, since the report of him possibly being available came out.

He would be the ideal partner for Power, and essentially give the Sabres identical top pairs. Ekholm can play both sides and flop as Power wanders. He can play a stay at home game. He's what we hope Samuelsson develops into.

Nashville (Hynes and Poille) want size. So a deal with a throw in on our end (Kisakov) won't work. It'll hurt more. It'd need to be Buffalo's 1st and someone like Bloom.

I love Bloom as a bottom 6 prospect.

But, I would drive him to Nashville to get Ekholm.

 

[Beerz]

In response to the bolded.

Like any developing player, as time goes by the floor and ceiling around a player start to tighten up and converge around what they really are. We all had high hopes for Casey to another step up as a center this year. It didn't happen.....again. I do not think it is from lack of effort at all. Some blame his linemates, but I do not. From what I have seen watching him for 5 years now, is that it is a matter of quickness, which is the milliseconds it takes to take in multiple inputs, process them into a course of action, and then make the initial physical movement to enact the decision. This is different than speed, dexterity, or agility. At center there are a lot more inputs and responsibilities to process, and for some that can hold up the response. On the wing, there are alot less inputs and responsibilities to process, so actions can come quicker and natural physical skills like speed and agility can be more effective.

I am convinced at this point that Mitts future is as a solid, but nothing special, middle six winger, not center. He therefor should be rostered or even traded as such. If some other team still believes he can be a #2 center and will give you that trade value, then pull the trigger. Otherwise, play him on the wing, and do not be afraid to include him in any trade that improves the team overall.

Total bunk.. you ever see Casey play Fortnite? The amount of inputs taken in and process them into action while building in Fortnite is on a whole other level than playing NHL centerman

 

[Jim Bob]

Could live with top 3 protection (would prefer top 5), but there is a lot of ground between doing nothing and trading the pick without any protection.

And my point is that when push came to shove, I wouldn't stop a deal for Ekholm from happening over a push to get top 10 or top 5 protection on a 23 1st.

 

[stokes84]

For the first time in a while I think I’m content just sitting back and watching them continue to develop. Granato has done some amazing things in player development. No need to mess with anything right now.

 

[Jacob582]

How about keep Clague with Power and put Ekholm with Jokiharju?

 

[TehDoak]

Mittelstadt is a natural center who has the skill and ability to drive a top 2 line. That's very valuable to many a team in the league, less so, however, for the Sabres, who have alternatives as well as an upcoming logjam of skilled forwards on the horizon.

He absolutely is not considered that anymore.

He's a middle six forward who hasn't show the durability or consistency to be a roster player on most teams in the league. He's undoubtedly skilled. I'm not sure he is claimed if put on waivers. He's having his best year ever....on a high scoring team...and he might put up 50 points? Making 2.5M a season? In a cap world, that's not bad production, but not great either.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

And my point is that when push came to shove, I wouldn't stop a deal for Ekholm from happening over a push to get top 10 or top 5 protection on a 23 1st.

At this stage, who cares about top 5 or top10 protection -- I think we can reasonably assume we won't be in the bottom 10 if we're making this trade at the end of January and are still in the race. It's either top 3 protection, or no protection.