Casey Mittelstadt traded for Bowen Byram

[DarthEbriate]

It should be noted that Mitts never had a Star Wars nickname. Perhaps it was simply looking into the future.

But Byram pretty much writes itself: BB-4.

He joins R2-D6 and Muel-PO in the droid defense corps.

 

The trade makes complete and total sense. Good job, GM Sheevyn!

[Doohicksie]

11 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

What I don't understand is why Casey was for forward voted off the island.

Because they had just paid Tommer and Cuzzy.  Fresh out of contracts.

[Pimlach]

38 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

I understand why Casey was traded.  The Sabres have a pile of forwards and already have 3 huge contracts on the books for forwards (Skinner, TNT and Cozens) and have JJP and Quinn coming up for deals after next season.  You can't keep everyone.  What I don't understand is why Casey was for forward voted off the island. He possessed a unique skill set on this team, and we have no one on the roster or in the pipeline who does what Casey does well.

I also understand the want to acquire a top 4 D, but honestly Byram doesn't bring anything to the top 4 that we don't already have.  Dahlin is the No. 1 D and needs a partner, just not one with the same skillset.  We need more physical play on defense and better in zone play.  Byram doesn't bring either characteristic.   To make it worse, he is also damaged goods.  TM would be proud of this trade.  

Like most things KA does, the concept is good, but the execution is terrible.

They are trying to get themselves relegated to the CHL.

I think the BN said Casey would take at least $6M and they can’t keep everyone for the reason you stated.  I just hope they bring in some new vet forwards and not just give spots to prospects.  
 

My initial thoughts were what you have in bold.  If he turns out good how do we pay him, Dahlin, and Power in two years?   I guess they manage that as they go.  

Edited March 7 by Pimlach

[GASabresIUFAN]

Just now, Pimlach said:

 If he turns out good how do we pay him, Dahlin, and Power in two years?

Actually it's only one more year.  I raised this issue earlier.  JJP, Quinn and Byram are all going to need new contracts after next season.  If your Byram's agent and he has a good year, are you really going to re-sign in Buffalo?  Also, if we can't afford to keep a unique forward in Casey, how can we afford new deals for all 3 of these breakout candidates?

[thewookie1]

8 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Actually it's only one more year.  I raised this issue earlier.  JJP, Quinn and Byram are all going to need new contracts after next season.  If your Byram's agent and he has a good year, are you really going to re-sign in Buffalo?  Also, if we can't afford to keep a unique forward in Casey, how can we afford new deals for all 3 of these breakout candidates?

Its a stall tactic; even if all three pop off next year we can bridge the two forwards and give Byram a reasonable length deal.

[LTS]

I've heard that part of KA's performance bonus is tied to thread lengths at SabreSpace.

24  25 pages so far on a trade... KA's going to Sizzler.

Edited March 7 by LTS
Apparently I made it 25

[bob_sauve28]

51 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

 

I wonder how disappointed he is about not being in playoffs this year?

[Tony P]

Apologies if previously posted as I haven’t read all 24 pages of this thread. For what it’s worth, Per the Hockey News, Cozens and BB are apparently very close. 
 

https://x.com/michael_traikos/status/1765789993513971943?s=61&t=wwVdMm-nwBS_g0bjJHDbrQ

[PerreaultForever]

11 minutes ago, LTS said:

I've heard that part of KA's performance bonus is tied to thread lengths at SabreSpace.

24  25 pages so far on a trade... KA's going to Sizzler.

and I see there was a good squabble and some name calling along the way so that might be a performance bonus extra.

I suppose ultimately KA was a really big fan of the 2021 Canadian World Junior team and wants as much of that roster as he can get. We now have 5 members of that team, I wonder if that's a record? 

[GASabresIUFAN]

22 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

Its a stall tactic; even if all three pop off next year we can bridge the two forwards and give Byram a reasonable length deal.

Great theory, but if you are Quinn or JJP, do you want a bridge deal? 

[thewookie1]

Just now, GASabresIUFAN said:

Great theory, but if you are Quinn or JJP, do you want a bridge deal? 

As RFAs you don't have much of a choice. Especially young RFAs 

[Weave]

42 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

and I see there was a good squabble and some name calling along the way so that might be a performance bonus extra.

I suppose ultimately KA was a really big fan of the 2021 Canadian World Junior team and wants as much of that roster as he can get. We now have 5 members of that team, I wonder if that's a record? 

I hope they won gold…..

[DarthEbriate]

11 minutes ago, Weave said:

I hope they won gold…..

No, it's OK. They have unfinished business and the Stanley Cup is silver.

[Buffalonill]

1 hour ago, bob_sauve28 said:

I wonder how disappointed he is about not being in playoffs this year?

I'm sure  Krebs, cozens are excited they get to do their Cancun trip with their boy early now 

[Buffalonill]

1 hour ago, Tony P said:

Apologies if previously posted as I haven’t read all 24 pages of this thread. For what it’s worth, Per the Hockey News, Cozens and BB are apparently very close. 
 

https://x.com/michael_traikos/status/1765789993513971943?s=61&t=wwVdMm-nwBS_g0bjJHDbrQ

Apparently all 3 Are best friends 

Hopefully it wakes up cozens and krebs

Edited March 7 by Buffalonill

[SHAAAUGHT!!!]

3 hours ago, That Aud Smell said:

Amen. I was just saying this to someone at my office: Mitts quietly became the team's best forward on the boards. He'd become so strong on the puck. Tough to move. Very difficult to knock off a spot or knock over.

It's that aspect of his game that convinces me that he'll be a quality playoff performer.

While Mitts improved his play along the boards this year, I think JJP has been the best forward on the boards the past two seasons.  He finally got his due this year, but has so much more to give. 
 

Mitts is definitely set up for success this year in the playoffs.  He’s gonna do really well. 

[Doohicksie]

1 hour ago, bob_sauve28 said:

I wonder how disappointed he is about not being in playoffs this year?

It's an investment.  If he nails down a top pairing spot he'll be better off.  And Sabres something something prospect pool.

1 hour ago, Tony P said:

Apologies if previously posted as I haven’t read all 24 pages of this thread. For what it’s worth, Per the Hockey News, Cozens and BB are apparently very close. 
 

https://x.com/michael_traikos/status/1765789993513971943?s=61&t=wwVdMm-nwBS_g0bjJHDbrQ

Yeah, it's been covered.  Krebs too.

[DarthEbriate]

1 hour ago, Doohickie said:

It's an investment.  If he nails down a top pairing spot he'll be better off.  And Sabres something something prospect pool.

Yeah, it's been covered.  Krebs too.

They're close, but are they tandem bike close?

[Broken Ankles]

5 hours ago, That Aud Smell said:

Amen. I was just saying this to someone at my office: Mitts quietly became the team's best forward on the boards. He'd become so strong on the puck. Tough to move. Very difficult to knock off a spot or knock over.

It's that aspect of his game that convinces me that he'll be a quality playoff performer.

Are you saying some players actually developed under Granato? 

[That Aud Smell]

Apropos of Adams loading up on that 2021 Canada World Juniors team:

 

And

 

Is Adams doubling down on a weak draft class?

[Thorner]

7 hours ago, Doohickie said:

I don't know about "most fans" but Kevyn seems to be thinking that way.

I do get a kick out the fact that, before the deal, we could only hear about how the name of the game is try and “run 4 lines” like the 06 Sabres, how Casey allows us a Roy/Vanek/Pominville line, and now that he’s gone it’s just..”ah, what do we need a good 3C for? Expendable” 

just an observation, no point to make 

Edited March 7 by Thorny

[LGR4GM]

My final though here. I'm glad we acquired talent, I don't like the questions that talent has or the fact it isn't at a position of need or a skill need. I like Byram just fine and think he's a very capable 2nd pairing defender, just wish the team building strategy was different. Mitts was a tradeable asset that wasn't used to fix a problem but add to a position of strength. We'll see how Byram does. 

[inkman]

3 hours ago, bob_sauve28 said:

I wonder how disappointed he is about not being in playoffs this year?

He’s got a cup.  I’m sure it helps. 

[Thorner]

6 hours ago, Justin C said:

The funny thing is, had the Sabres signed Mitts and he regressed next year, everyone here would have said it was a bad signing and said they would be open to trading him just like they are with Tage this year.

I have no issues with the trade. Team needed a shakeup and I think Thompson and Cozens will rebound next year. Byram hasn’t had a concussion since 2021 unless I’m mistaken.

Absolutely true. And they’d be right to. Unfortunately for Kevyn Adams, and all GMs, hindsight need not apply: it is literally their job to find results, not to “make decisions that seem defensible at the time”. Every GM *thinks* they are making the right move. They are literally judged based on the actual result. That’s why they are paid professionals 

[Thorner]

6 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Probably so.    Maybe we can find UFAs that can bolster the forward position.   
 

Looks like we will be very young at D next season. No one is near their prime years for NHL defenseman.  

Lord help us tho if “who even was there?” gets uttered. If you willingly create a hole, you are amendable to the results regardless of how much the market doesn’t want to hold your hand 

Edited March 7 by Thorny