Casey Mittelstadt traded for Bowen Byram

[Archie Lee]

Value-wise, the trade is fine. I’m a little concerned with Byram’s injury history, but perhaps that is largely behind him. Certainly it is possible that he ends up being the clear best player in the deal.

I don’t really get it from a roster building standpoint though. With the regression we have seen in the play of Thompson and Cozens, it does not appear we have a “Cup Calibre” 1st line centre. Add Mitts to the mix and a still developing Krebs, and we at least had 3, and perhaps 4, legit middle 6 centres. So, while we did not have an elite centre, we at least had centre depth. Now we have 2, maybe 3 centres and that depth is erased. Does adding Byram on D offset this?

I contrast this with what Colorado did yesterday. They needed a #2 centre. They identified Mitts as the guy they wanted and then paid a significant price in Byram. The loss of Byram created a hole, so they immediately filled it by acquiring Walker from the Flyers. What did we do?  Did we address a specific need?  Cynically, it seems we had a guy who we were reluctant to pay and so we collected the best piece we could for him. One team is committed to winning and the other appears to be collecting assets still. 

[caseydean]

I do not understand the reaction of some on this board.  I know hard it is not to be pessiimistic after such a long drought, but Adams can't just run the same team out there next year.  Many complained when he did little in the off-season, and when he does something that's no good too.  I really like Mitts, but he is no savior.  Everything I read on Byram is that he has immense potential.  Folks in Denver are happy to get Mitts, but the overall reaction is that the Avs are pushing all the chips into the center now to win the Cup again, but paid for it long-term.  I mean I obviously don't know how this will turn out, but I am willing to at least give it a chance.  Maybe this will be like when the Bills drafted Josh and lots of folks wanted Rosen. 

[Sabres Fan in NS]

This guy is paid top 3 D $.  He must have something to give.  He has one year left at $7.5M (or so).  What will he command on his next contract?  He was a highly rated D at the 2019 draft and went #4.  A cup winner who seems to be having an off year.  

Until a year or so ago most here wanted to dump Casey for a bag of pucks and were willing to toss is a draft pick to clinch the deal.

He is playing very well in a contract year - stop me if you've heard this one before.  I like Casey, but you have to give to get.  With the recent signings something had to give.  I support this trade.  A hockey trade of all things.

Unless something else happens (maybe in the summer at this point) I think Dahlin will be almost permanently moved to the right side.

Edited March 7, 2024 by Sabres Fan in NS
slightly more goodly ...

[kas23]

  On 3/6/2024 at 8:45 PM, Mango said:

7 career fights. 3 in the NHL. 

All of them give off big Dylan Cozens vibes. Fishbowl incoming. 

https://www.hockeyfights.com/players/24753

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I see a fight against a former Tank Commander. This could work. 

[inkman]

  On 3/7/2024 at 12:39 PM, Archie Lee said:

Value-wise, the trade is fine. I’m a little concerned with Byram’s injury history, but perhaps that is largely behind him. Certainly it is possible that he ends up being the clear best player in the deal.

I don’t really get it from a roster building standpoint though. With the regression we have seen in the play of Thompson and Cozens, it does not appear we have a “Cup Calibre” 1st line centre. Add Mitts to the mix and a still developing Krebs, and we at least had 3, and perhaps 4, legit middle 6 centres. So, while we did not have an elite centre, we at least had centre depth. Now we have 2, maybe 3 centres and that depth is erased. Does adding Byram on D offset this?

I contrast this with what Colorado did yesterday. They needed a #2 centre. They identified Mitts as the guy they wanted and then paid a significant price in Byram. The loss of Byram created a hole, so they immediately filled it by acquiring Walker from the Flyers. What did we do?  Did we address a specific need?  Cynically, it seems we had a guy who we were reluctant to pay and so we collected the best piece we could for him. One team is committed to winning and the other appears to be collecting assets still. 

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Well the Avs are buying and the Sabres are selling.  

 

[SHAAAUGHT!!!]

  On 3/7/2024 at 3:52 AM, Pimlach said:

We don’t know how good he is, or how good he will be.
 

So if we are trying to improve now then maybe this is not the right guy.  We have 23 year old Dahlin, 21 year old Power. We have Johnson. We locked up Power and Dahlin for big dollars. 
 

- 22 years old

- 190 ish pound defender

- the Avs moving on from him

- we lost our best 2way center to get him. 

Looks like a development project, I want to win now.  We have enough youth already.  
 

 

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Not sure about that.  Byram was a major piece on a cup team, performed exceptionally well, and unfortunately has had a few concussions.  The Ave’s already have the best defensemen in the league eating up minutes and they know they will eventually have to pay Byram if he continues his trajectory.  The Ave’s also needed forwards badly.  
 

The Sabres have their top 2 centers locked up long-term and Casey isn’t the type of bottom 6 center we need.  

I expect both players will do well on and for their new teams, and both teams will be better for it.  Plus this finally gets that 10-ply pretender Joker off this team.

[Buffalonill]

  On 3/7/2024 at 1:02 PM, Sabres Fan in NS said:

This guy is paid top 3 D $.  He must have something to give.  He has one year left at $7.5M (or so).  What will he command on his next contract?  He was a highly rated D at the 2019 draft and went #4.  A cup winner who seems to be having an off year.  

Until a year or so ago most here wanted to dump Casey for a bag of pucks and were willing to toss is a draft pick to clinch the deal.

He is playing very well in a contract year - stop me if you've heard this one before.  I like Casey, but you have to give to get.  With the recent signings something had to give.  I support this trade.  A hockey trade of all things.

Unless something else happens (maybe in the summer at this point) I think Dahlin will be almost permanently moved to the right side.

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He makes 7.3 a year ? Wtf

[Night Train]

Start doing what Vegas does.  Trade picks for Vets and win. 

[inkman]

Hope they get along 😀

 

[oddoublee]

  On 3/7/2024 at 1:19 PM, SHAAAUGHT!!! said:

Not sure about that.  Byram was a major piece on a cup team, performed exceptionally well, and unfortunately has had a few concussions.  The Ave’s already have the best defensemen in the league eating up minutes and they know they will eventually have to pay Byram if he continues his trajectory.  The Ave’s also needed forwards badly.  
 

The Sabres have their top 2 centers locked up long-term and Casey isn’t the type of bottom 6 center we need.  

I expect both players will do well on and for their new teams, and both teams will be better for it.  Plus this finally gets that 10-ply pretender Joker off this team.

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they have a 1 and 2 center on paper. not in reality. tage is the only legit top 6 center this team has. 

  On 3/7/2024 at 1:20 PM, Buffalonill said:

He makes 7.3 a year ? Wtf

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no, that was his total contract value. he makes approx 3.8 a year

[inkman]

  On 3/7/2024 at 1:02 PM, Sabres Fan in NS said:

This guy is paid top 3 D $.  He must have something to give.  He has one year left at $7.5M (or so).  What will he command on his next contract?  He was a highly rated D at the 2019 draft and went #4.  A cup winner who seems to be having an off year.  

Until a year or so ago most here wanted to dump Casey for a bag of pucks and were willing to toss is a draft pick to clinch the deal.

He is playing very well in a contract year - stop me if you've heard this one before.  I like Casey, but you have to give to get.  With the recent signings something had to give.  I support this trade.  A hockey trade of all things.

Unless something else happens (maybe in the summer at this point) I think Dahlin will be almost permanently moved to the right side.

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  On 3/7/2024 at 1:20 PM, Buffalonill said:

He makes 7.3 a year ? Wtf

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[Pimlach]

  On 3/7/2024 at 1:19 PM, SHAAAUGHT!!! said:

Not sure about that.  Byram was a major piece on a cup team, performed exceptionally well, and unfortunately has had a few concussions.  The Ave’s already have the best defensemen in the league eating up minutes and they know they will eventually have to pay Byram if he continues his trajectory.  The Ave’s also needed forwards badly.  
 

The Sabres have their top 2 centers locked up long-term and Casey isn’t the type of bottom 6 center we need.  

I expect both players will do well on and for their new teams, and both teams will be better for it.  Plus this finally gets that 10-ply pretender Joker off this team.

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Ok.  Except the top 2 centers that are locked up are both playing worse than Casey, who is our best all around forward. 
 

Did this trade make the Sabres better?   I would say not by itself.   More moves are required.  Their Defense has high pedigree, but might lack diversity in the roles needed to be successful.  

[Ross Rhea]

Why do I sense an Erik Johnson connection here.

[Buffalonill]

  On 3/7/2024 at 1:28 PM, inkman said:

 

 

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Got it thanks 

  On 3/7/2024 at 1:22 PM, Night Train said:

Start doing what Vegas does.  Trade picks for Vets and win. 

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Buffalo likes trading their vet players For younger players .

So we can constantly rebuild

[That Aud Smell]

  On 3/7/2024 at 1:28 PM, Pimlach said:

Their Defense has high pedigree, but might lack diversity in the roles needed to be successful.  

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What's this (or any) team need with three ostensible studs on D? I really thought the roster building idea was: Dahlin, Power, and then figure out the rest on D. If this guy bounces back and earns a big(ger) contract, are the Sabres going to give it to him? Just seems like odd roster construction.

Unless ...

[Pimlach]

  On 3/7/2024 at 1:49 PM, That Aud Smell said:

What's this (or any) team need with three ostensible studs on D? I really thought the roster building idea was: Dahlin, Power, and then figure out the rest on D. If this guy bounces back and earns a big(ger) contract, are the Sabres going to give it to him? Just seems like odd roster construction.

Unless ...

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Unless, more trades are coming … 

[Doohicksie]

  On 3/7/2024 at 3:44 AM, Ctaeth said:

But my point is that if he wasn't "shopping" Mitts like he said he wasn't

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Until the deal is done, you never announce you're trying to trade a player (unless they've asked for a trade).  If Kevyn had announced he was trying to trade Mitts and then no deal worked out, now you have a player on your team that knows you were trying to move him- very demotivating.

[inkman]

  On 3/7/2024 at 5:28 AM, PerreaultForever said:

My purely speculative guess is that Adams will trade Joker and/or Mule in the off season. Byram will be paired with Dahlin. 

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You don’t need to speculate, Granato has already said Bo is playing with Rasmus. 

[Doohicksie]

  On 3/7/2024 at 3:52 AM, PerreaultForever said:

idk what Mitts was asking for

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Neither did Kevyn.  The last thing I saw from Mitts about contract stuff is that the Sabres never contacted his agent about an extension.

[Doohicksie]

  On 3/7/2024 at 4:10 AM, Pimlach said:

Good.  Why are they trading him two years later straight up for Mitts?  

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Because they feel they have adequate defensive depth but needed help at center.  The Sabres have adequate forward depth and needed help at D.  In Cozzy's postgame he said they talked during the All-Star break and Byram said he wanted to come to Buffalo.  For him it's a great opportunity:  He's never going to break into the top pair in CO unless Makar or Toews gets injured, but here he has an opportunity to earn a first pair billet with Dahlin.

Byram has 3rd highest TOI/Game among CO Dmen, behind Makar & Toews.  He's a career + in +/-, although only a +1 this year.  I don't think they were giving up on him, they just wanted a middle six center and were willing to pay the price.

Edited March 7, 2024 by Doohickie

[That Aud Smell]

  On 3/7/2024 at 11:36 AM, That Aud Smell said:

Having seen the photo of Byram with several current Sabres and their girlfriends

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I think that's Byram, Cozens, Krebs, and ... Quinn? It's not Levi.

[That Aud Smell]

Maybe the guy on the far right isn't a Sabre? He looks familiar. I infer that this is a group that was on the Canada World Juniors team together.

[Buffalonill]

  On 3/7/2024 at 2:30 PM, That Aud Smell said:

I think that's Byram, Cozens, Krebs, and ... Quinn? It's not Levi.

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That's  Bryson

[Sabres Fan in NS]

  On 3/7/2024 at 1:24 PM, oddoublee said:

they have a 1 and 2 center on paper. not in reality. tage is the only legit top 6 center this team has. 

no, that was his total contract value. he makes approx 3.8 a year

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Dylan is a reasonably solid #2 centre.

Sorry for the confusion on the salary - I was unclear in my post that Nill responded to.

[Doohicksie]

  On 3/7/2024 at 2:30 PM, That Aud Smell said:

I think that's Byram, Cozens, Krebs, and ... Quinn? It's not Levi.

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That's Bryson on the end.