Casey Mittelstadt traded for Bowen Byram

[GoPuckYourself]

  On 3/6/2024 at 11:58 PM, Thorny said:

@Hankim sort of searching for arguments here detailing why Byram will improve our team for next season relative to Casey, to make me feel better, so if you’ve got one, I’d in seriousness love to hear it 

No, he’s our 1C right now 

Edit: was 

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He might be the leading point producer but the #1 C is Thompson and 2nd line C is Cozens.

[Crusader1969]

  On 3/6/2024 at 11:05 PM, GASabresIUFAN said:

Here are the Sabres top 9 for 2024/25 after this trade

Skinner TNT Tuch

JJP Cozens Quinn

Benson Krebs Greenway

Is that a play caliber forward group?  I guess it could be if Krebs, JPP, Quinn, and Benson are all better next year and TNT Cozens rebound from their terrible 23/24 seasons.

Apparently great minds think alike.

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Get the two slackers off the top line.  Neither Skinner nor Tuch deserve that role IMHO

benson Tage. XX

JJP Cozens. Quinn

Greenway Krebs Tuch

i could see Quinn going to line 1 and Savoie into line 2.  or maybe they go the UFA route to fill the top line wing roll? 
 

Krebs has to really step up and perform as the line 3 centre quick or Kulich will take his spot 

 

[Thorner]

  On 3/7/2024 at 12:03 AM, GoPuckYourself said:

He might be the leading point producer but the #1 C is Thompson and 2nd line C is Cozens.

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Isn’t this just semantics? I don’t care if Casey is the 14th C if he’s our best forward 

If he’s producing the most 

Doesn’t actual result supersede frivolous arbitrary line designation? 

Edited March 7, 2024 by Thorny

[mjd1001]

I don't put much value in 'hits' as a stat (how accurate are they?) but I looked at Byram....3.3 hits per 60 minutes this year.

How does that compare to the current Sabres this year?

-Clifton, 9.3

-Erik Johnson, 8.1

-Samuelsson, 7.6

-Dahlin, 5.3

-Jokiharju, 4.0

-Bryson, 2.0

-Power, 1.6

[Crusader1969]

  On 3/6/2024 at 11:52 PM, Thorny said:

Great post 

my leaning here is it’s more about the long term where this deal is concerned f

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Is experience and age the same thing ?  Can't a 23 / 24 be further ahead in their NHL career if he has been in the league since he was 19

[Thorner]

  On 3/7/2024 at 12:05 AM, Crusader1969 said:

Is experience and age the same thing ?  Can't a 23 / 24 be further ahead in their NHL career if he has been in the league since he was 19

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They can, yup. Also doesn’t appear to be linear given Byram’s trajectory this far 

  On 3/7/2024 at 12:03 AM, GoPuckYourself said:

He might be the leading point producer but the #1 C is Thompson and 2nd line C is Cozens.

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Would an appropriate return for Malkin in his prime be one relative to his production or relative to his designation as 2C?

[sabremike]

The fact his play has completely fallen off a cliff the past 18 months on a powerhouse team is totally reassuring that he'll be great playing for the outhouse of pro hockey.

[GoPuckYourself]

  On 3/7/2024 at 12:06 AM, Thorny said:

They can, yup. Also doesn’t appear to be linear given Byram’s trajectory this far 

Would an appropriate return for Malkin in his prime be one relative to his production or relative to his designation as 2C?

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I'm not going to argue back and fourth, he's a 3rd line C when he was here regardless who is the leader in points, we werent trading Cozens or Thompson so he was the odd man out.

[thewookie1]

Isn't a great trade in a vacuum but I'll give it a chance.

Going to miss Mitts though

[msw2112]

  On 3/7/2024 at 12:03 AM, Thorny said:

Bo Burnham

Bob Burnquist

Andrew Bynum

Bo Byram

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Former Buffalo Bill Carl Byrum cannot be left off this list - https://www.nfl.com/players/carl-byrum/ , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Byrum

Edited March 7, 2024 by msw2112

[Hank]

  On 3/6/2024 at 11:45 PM, Thorny said:

@Hank what’s the X for here? The bit about KA having a choice, or the bit about our trades prioritizing the future?

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I was only about half way through the thread but saw the notification, since you asked I'll skip the rest and answer. 

It's been long established I'm a huge fan of Mitts. I'm sad to see him go. I also believe Mitts has been our best forward this year. 

I really like Byram. Unlike Clifton, he produced in a top four role on a Stanley cup winning team. Skating, transition, production, he's an upgrade to what we have, and he's just entering his prime. He's skilled enough that Dahlin can play back on the left side with him and slot Mule on the 3rd pair. The concussions give me pause, but his last one was two years ago. He also upgrades PP2. 

Regarding the forwards - you predicted a regression in scoring. You were right. While it's certainly possible that last year were "career years" for Tage and Cozens, I think you'd agree that the first half of this year is not an accurate representation of who they'll be going forward, and it's reasonable to expect a positive regression to the mean next year. Our forwards need addressing this off season, but we have our top two centers. 

I think the upgrade on D will offset the loss at forward next year and it'll be a net positive. 

[Scottysabres]

Can he do pull ups? That's all I need to know.

[mjd1001]

  On 3/7/2024 at 12:05 AM, Crusader1969 said:

Is experience and age the same thing ?  Can't a 23 / 24 be further ahead in their NHL career if he has been in the league since he was 19

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True, Buffalo's new 'top 4' has career 855 games played.

Florida: 2526

Vancouver: 2577

Boston: 2131

Winnipeg: 2413

Rangers: 1667

Vegas: 3014

 

[Flashsabre]

  On 3/6/2024 at 11:58 PM, JoeSchmoe said:

Sucks that we have fans willing to focus on a tiny sample size of data for two years ago to justify the trade.

Sucks worse that our GM is seemingly doing the same. 🫣

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You get home safe

[msw2112]

  On 3/7/2024 at 12:16 AM, mjd1001 said:

True, Buffalo's new 'top 4' has career 855 games played.

Florida: 2526

Vancouver: 2577

Boston: 2131

Winnipeg: 2413

Rangers: 1667

Vegas: 3014

 

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This statistic is telling.  I really do think that Adams has the Sabres poised to be a powerhouse in the future, in theory, but I'm not sure the fans can wait that long, or if the year-after-year of failing to make the playoffs will result in players losing interest and/or wanting to be traded.  See Reinhart, Sam.

[Indabuff]

  On 3/6/2024 at 7:02 PM, inkman said:

Giddy Up!!

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[Derrico]

  On 3/6/2024 at 11:52 PM, Thorny said:

my leaning here is it’s more about the long term where this deal is concerned f

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You seem to be looking for this to be the case.  He will be 23 before the season starts and will have 4 NHL seasons under his belt while averaging 20 min per night on one of the best teams in the league.  He's had moments of dominant play and times of injury and inconsistent play in his short career.  Tons of potential here.  

It is very realistic to think Byram will make this team better next season than Mitts.

[Brawndo]

 

[7+6=13]

  On 3/6/2024 at 7:15 PM, Buffalonill said:

I don't know how anyone can defend this trade. We literally took a step backwards

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Can you ever just take a breathe?

[Thorner]

  On 3/7/2024 at 12:36 AM, Derrico said:

You seem to be looking for this to be the case.  He will be 23 before the season starts and will have 4 NHL seasons under his belt while averaging 20 min per night on one of the best teams in the league.  He's had moments of dominant play and times of injury and inconsistent play in his short career.  Tons of potential here.  

It is very realistic to think Byram will make this team better next season than Mitts.

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Bolded is definitely possible. I’d say likely. Thinking about it, almost assuredly: my bias is definitely to lean towards thinking that’s where the prioritization is, based on the fact otherwise would represent a change of what we have seen up until this point. Or, at least up until this season. I still think their internal expectation was playoffs this season, but there are some who argue otherwise.

The idea that Adams thinks Byram represents an upgrade on Casey for next season outright is certainly a plausible (and preferable) one. So I suppose *that’s* what I’m actually looking for to be the case. I was simply drawn to expecting otherwise 

Edited March 7, 2024 by Thorny

[SwampD]

I don't know this player. Hope he ends up good.

Someday,… we'll get a player who is actually good, not one with "upside."

Way to kick the can down the road, Kevyn.

Hey Terry, 12 years and counting and I'm still waiting to see anything that would lead me to spend a a single penny on your garbage product, nice work.

[Doohicksie]

  On 3/6/2024 at 9:45 PM, Thorny said:

I honestly don’t understand this reference either but 10/10 for entertainment value 

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I was looking for a monkey playing board game, that's the best I could find.

[Pimlach]

  On 3/6/2024 at 9:14 PM, inkman said:

Casey was panned by every Sabres fan everywhere what a year, maybe 18 months ago.  Now we hate the Sabres for trading him for a current player who is better.  Ok. 
 

Not to mention, 90% of their top prospects are forwards. Benson and Savoie could be Casey’s equal by next season. They will most likely eclipse Mitts shortly thereafter.  Noah Östlund will be here as early as next season to compete for a middle 6 center role. Kulich and Rosen are coming.  
 

I don’t want to wait.  I’m hoping adds a couple gritty forwards that can compete for top 9 roles.  

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Casey was panned because the team sucked and he was rushed into the NHL.  He got better after his stint in Rochester, no surprise.  

There is no proof that Byram is a better player, his draft status of 4OA means nothing.   If he was showing anything to indicate he was a special player he would not have been traded.  

He is a smallish defender who’s game is similar to Joker, and Johnson, and even Dahlin. He brings nothing different.  He is not the missing link - a RHD, a big tough stay at home defenseman that we lack.  He will not punish opponents who hang out  in front of our net.

The trade took away our best 2way center, that can contribute on the PP, and the first line.  We now have another defenseman who is like the others we already have.  Unless they trade Joker or Power or Johnson we just added another of the same.  No diversity in their game.  
 

By trading Mitts for this guy we created another hole related to the type of players that this roster needs.   Maybe another deal is coming.  

Edited March 7, 2024 by Pimlach

[North Buffalo]

It is interesting how young the D is but these guys have a fair amount of experience despite how young they are... the least experienced is Power

[Getpucksdeep]

  On 3/7/2024 at 12:48 AM, SwampD said:

I don't know this player. Hope he ends up good.

Someday,… we'll get a player who is actually good, not one with "upside."

Way to kick the can down the road, Kevyn.

Hey Terry, 12 years and counting and I'm still waiting to see anything that would lead me to spend a a single penny on your garbage product, nice work.

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Agree but as we know actual good players have nmc and so we can't get them. Not excusing ka and or tp for the bed they've made, but given the situation this guy sounds like potentially best player available.