DarthEbriate

I think this is where I'm a bit disappointed in Ruff. If he identified (rightly) that Cozens is not the answer, then... maybe move him to wing where he was solid for Team Canada. Ruff even said way early in the year if they couldn't handle the center duties, they'd play wing. TNT ended up on Kulich's wing. But Cozens got to stay at 2C and PP time forever, while McLeod was the one getting 4C time. This move to wing would have been twofold: 1) it would showcase him for a trade either this week or over the summer, and 2) it probably makes the Sabres better all season long.

Contract-wise, Brannstrom is a RFA, which is protection for losing Clague to UFA in the summer.

OK... I guess some insurance for the Amerks kids in the playoffs. And to challenge Ryan Johnson for 7/8 for the Sabres next season. For the Amerks, is Kozak coming back into the lineup for NAK at some point? Or is Kozak's injury for the season?

He was harder than Power by a bunch. And I've seen him give retaliatory slashes and get scrappy, something I've not seen from Samuelsson. But it is true, he wasn't going to clear the crease. I don't know if JBD will, either. Joker is heavier than JBD.

Very likely not, they were already routinely going 11-7. JBD is on LTIR at the moment, but he should be back within a week (he was already practicing with Ottawa). If someone does get called up, if it's not Ryan Johnson, it's just a couple-game look-see for them to see the NHL speed. But today's trades don't lead to anyone getting an extended end-of-season look.

For future considerations?

Yup. With McAvoy out, Hampus out, and Carlo traded... they simply needed a D-man. Joker basically steps into the RD1 for them. (Which... pretty good opportunity for him to go into UFA.)

The RHD are moving! Joker?

If Marchand doesn't return in the summer, set themselves up for a McKenna run next season? Carlo had another year on his deal. Boston will miss him. From Toronto's perspective... maybe Dubas was the problem? And the cap not going up [edit: for a few years there.]

How about he re-signs for a year as a Panther?

Pick #64! 😇

For being healthy-scratched for trade purposes for a week: absolutely.

For the record, I don't think Mitts is even as good as Krejci (certainly not all 3 zones). Though, if you put Mitts on a top line with Pastrnak and ... Marchand or player X TBD, I think he can get more points than Krejci had in any single season. I do like that Boston's center spine continues to look... poor... for the foreseeable future.

Coyle to COL, Mitts to BOS, and more items to be figured out. Coyle fits for the bottom 6 playoff push. Is Mittelstadt the top 6 center that Boston has needed for 2 years to replace either Bergeron or Krejci?

The TSN Tradecentre Mission: Impossible intro spoof was cute. Good fun, production team. "You'll be on air for 12 hours with nothing to talk about..."

Docking Bernard 94.... Ninety-four. (I'd say wear 94, but I really just want him to wear a defenseman's number.) We could go from a Power-Joker to a Power-Docker. Though I do like Muel-Power. (This is all names-based.)

^This Because in a vacuum, I'm happy with what he's done in the last 72 hours. Greenway and Zucker for 2 more years with a slight overpay on one and a slight underpay on the other. If Greenway is healthy, this gets the "core" and Power two more years into their prime with real veterans to guide them. Adding a 2C (Norris) while removing a middle 6 winger (Cozens). This is good. And it hopefully means McLeod gets more all-around minutes instead of getting stuck on the 4th line. Removing Gilbert is a minor problem, but he's a 7/8, no biggie. And bringing in a defensive-first D-man RHD to balance out one of the pairs. That's a net positive. But still Adams shouldn't be in this gig for all the years of ineptitude before it (and likely to follow).

Or of his actual fighting prowess. Per hockeyfights.com, Cozens has 5 fights since the start of the 2022-23 season (not exactly an enforcer) 3/19/2023 Trent Frederic. An even fight 45% Cozens, 45% Frederic, 9% Draw. Perfectly even. 11/3/2023 Garnet Hathaway. Ooops! 91 % Hathaway. 0 draws. Um... some drunken homers voted for Cozens. 4/7/2024 Jeff Petry. Cozens gets Petry offbalance and they topple. 1 punch thrown as they fell. 50% draw, 44% Cozens, 6% Petry. 12/14/2024 Martin Fehervary. 50% Fehervary, 43% draw, 7% Cozens. Decisive loss. 2/27/2025 Jesper Kotkaniemi. The opening faceoff scrap in Carolina that energized a struggling Canes roster for their home game. 81% Kotkaniemi, 9% draw, 9% Cozens. You got your ass kicked by Jesper Kotkaniemi??? He's a lover workhorse, not a fighter.

Enjoy those palm trees while in Florida, GM Sheevyn. You've earned it!

Josh Norris is now the Sabres' highest-paid forward. 5 more years remaining on the contract and a modified 10-team No Trade Clause that kicks in for the final 4 years. The shoulder is the primary concern. A thrice-bacta-tanked shoulder is not going to magically improve as he ages.

Good point. Norris - 5 GWG goal this season and 18 in his career. That's... fine. Nothing spectacular though. Ah, but... Cozens - 1 GWG goal this season and 4 in his career. That's utter dreck. Just absolute #####-##### ### # ### # # ########.

Change of scenery, yes. But it's not like he'll join their top line. He's going to be between Perron and Batherson to start. I think once they move him to wing he can blossom, same as here.

He can't play in the AHL until next season

As of right now, B-Docker is on LTIR, but is practicing and will debut in short order. If Joker is moved as expected, I think you start JBD with Power just to see what happens, put Byram back with Dahlin, and do Samuelsson/Clifton as they had earlier in the year. Ruff will do none of these things.

Less than MacKinnon. Double Necas. Seems right.