Casey Mittelstadt traded for Bowen Byram

[SwampD]

3 hours ago, Pimlach said:

John, Dude is kind of like saying “Hey man”.  To some its used as a term of endearment.  

JohnC talks to people like he is the only one who has ever watched hockey before. If you only read his posts, you’d think the Sabres are the 2 seed.

Also, wasn’t it reported when we drafted him that he was actually coached to not be overly aggressive because they always wanted him on the ice? He plays soft and nobody is going to convince otherwise. He is either going to need a player who doesn’t to show him how or he is going to need to be coached out of it.

Edited March 18 by SwampD

[K-9]

1 hour ago, SwampD said:

JohnC talks to people like he is the only one who has ever watched hockey before. If you only read his posts, you’d think the Sabres are the 2 seed.

Also, wasn’t it reported when we drafted him that he was actually coached to not be overly aggressive because they always wanted him on the ice? He plays soft and nobody is going to convince otherwise. He is either going to need a player who doesn’t to show him how or he is going to need to be coached out of it.

[Ctaeth]

Is this the thread where I get to finally unload all my lebowski gifs?

[SwampD]

3 hours ago, Ctaeth said:

Is this the thread where I get to finally unload all my lebowski gifs?

The Dude abides.

[thewookie1]

3 hours ago, Ctaeth said:

Is this the thread where I get to finally unload all my lebowski gifs?

Your time has come

[Doohicksie]

Random quote from the Avs forum on HFBoards:

Quote

Mittelstadt just changes the entire complexion of this team. With him on the second line everything just clicks.

I think we all know what he means.

[PerreaultForever]

2 hours ago, Doohickie said:

Random quote from the Avs forum on HFBoards:

I think we all know what he means.

They filled a need they had so of course it clicks. They also don't miss BB because they got Walker and he is playing outstanding hockey this year. You can see how Philly misses him. 

[Ogelthorpe]

On 3/17/2024 at 9:12 PM, Buffalonill said:

They're sassy though 

And now I like him even less. 

[Flashsabre]

11 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

They filled a need they had so of course it clicks. They also don't miss BB because they got Walker and he is playing outstanding hockey this year. You can see how Philly misses him. 

It was a very good hockey trade for both teams. Mitts fills a need for them. BB fills a need for us. They made another move to find a short term replacement for Byram.

Bo has solidified a true top pairing for the Sabres and dropped Joker down to solidify the 2nd pair with Power. 

[North Buffalo]

6 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

It was a very good hockey trade for both teams. Mitts fills a need for them. BB fills a need for us. They made another move to find a short term replacement for Byram.

Bo has solidified a true top pairing for the Sabres and dropped Joker down to solidify the 2nd pair with Power. 

Hate agreeing with above because I miss Mitts... but Byrum makes Sabres better and Mitts was a sure need for AVS

[PerreaultForever]

31 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

It was a very good hockey trade for both teams. Mitts fills a need for them. BB fills a need for us. They made another move to find a short term replacement for Byram.

Bo has solidified a true top pairing for the Sabres and dropped Joker down to solidify the 2nd pair with Power. 

It's a hockey trade for sure. No question. Not sure BB filled a "need" for us though. We have two #1 picks on D and the need was more of complimentary pieces for them than another top pairing guy. I'm not saying he isn't a D upgrade, but now we have a big hole at center. How they fill that this off season is crucial. 

Trading Mitts away seems to go against the grow our own model they spout. 

[Flashsabre]

12 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

It's a hockey trade for sure. No question. Not sure BB filled a "need" for us though. We have two #1 picks on D and the need was more of complimentary pieces for them than another top pairing guy. I'm not saying he isn't a D upgrade, but now we have a big hole at center. How they fill that this off season is crucial. 

Trading Mitts away seems to go against the grow our own model they spout. 

Disagree. Byram filled a big need on the backend. It set up our D corps. Joker partnered with Power has helped Power a lot since the deal was made. The entire pace of play has changed since Bryan has come into the lineup which was desperately needed.

Finding a 2-3 C is easier to replace than a young top pairing D.

[mjd1001]

4 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

Disagree. Byram filled a big need on the backend. It set up our D corps. Joker partnered with Power has helped Power a lot since the deal was made. The entire pace of play has changed since Bryan has come into the lineup which was desperately needed.

Finding a 2-3 C is easier to replace than a young top pairing D.

I can argue what is harder to find both ways.  This team (Sabres) spent a LONG time trying to find top Centers...and while you can argue you did have 'decent' #2 or #3 guys, you haven't had a very good one through most of the last 15 years.

A top pair D-man, yeah, those are REALLY hard to find. But, you have one in Dahlin, I think you could say you might/should have one eventually in Power.  Is Byram overkill in terms of top D-man, and what you might have to pay them when he is up for a new deal?  Again, I could argue this either way.

Ultimately, I'm happy with the deal.  Mostly because in a VERY small sample size, Bryam looks really good here.  But also because I think Mitts is a 'good' #2 or #3 center, but I was not as high on him as many on this board and I think a player like Byram has a better chance of being a bigger difference-maker on this roster than Mitts did.

[JohnC]

2 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

Disagree. Byram filled a big need on the backend. It set up our D corps. Joker partnered with Power has helped Power a lot since the deal was made. The entire pace of play has changed since Bryan has come into the lineup which was desperately needed.

Finding a 2-3 C is easier to replace than a young top pairing D.

After watching BB play for us in this short stint, I like this deal for us. The advantage that having a player like Mitts is that although it is fair to categorize him as a 2-3 C, he still had the talent to move up to the first line and keep that line playing as a productive line. Mitts can also play as a wing on a variety of lines. As you and others have stated, this is simply a good hockey trade that makes sense for all parties involved. It will be interesting to see how Krebs handles his elevated roll as a 3C. So far, I would say reasonably well. However, not sure if that will be his long-term slot. 

[Flashsabre]

Krebs will either step up at centre or a kid like Savoie or Östlund will get a chance or you use a combination of your surplus of young forward players and prospects: Krebs, Savoie, Kulich, Östlund, Rosen, Wahlberg, 2024 1st round pick to acquire a guy that can fill the spot. All those guys won’t be able to play in the lineup so some are assets you use to fill in holes.

[ska-T Palmtown]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

After watching BB play for us in this short stint, I like this deal for us. The advantage that having a player like Mitts is that although it is fair to categorize him as a 2-3 C, he still had the talent to move up to the first line and keep that line playing as a productive line. Mitts can also play as a wing on a variety of lines. As you and others have stated, this is simply a good hockey trade that makes sense for all parties involved. It will be interesting to see how Krebs handles his elevated roll as a 3C. So far, I would say reasonably well. However, not sure if that will be his long-term slot. 

To be fair -  I don't really think Gus has looked that outta place on "Line 1" either ... At least he finally gave that line some of that magical 'net front presence' they needed.

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, ska-T Chitown said:

To be fair -  I don't really think Gus has looked that outta place on "Line 1" either ... At least he finally gave that line some of that magical 'net front presence' they needed.

The HC has juggled the lines and the combos seem to work. I agree with you that he adds more physicality to that line and much needed net presence. He made a nifty back pass to Thompson ?? for a score. But that's more of a temporary assignment that is currently working. And it should be noted that Skinner got a hat trick with Krebs at center and JJ on his wing. To his credit, Granato has tried different things that seem to work. 

[K-9]

2 hours ago, ska-T Chitown said:

To be fair -  I don't really think Gus has looked that outta place on "Line 1" either ... At least he finally gave that line some of that magical 'net front presence' they needed.

[Doohicksie]

So, do we think the Byram Bounce is over?

[North Buffalo]

16 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

So, do we think the Byram Bounce is over?

Not sure but CM scored last night for AVS

[Doohicksie]

5 minutes ago, North Buffalo said:

Not sure but CM scored last night for AVS

They seem to be pretty thrilled with getting him over at the Avs forum on HFBoards.

[North Buffalo]

6 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

They seem to be pretty thrilled with getting him over at the Avs forum on HFBoards.

Yeh they had a huge need for a passer center 

[...]

Mitts has to be beside himself with where he wound up at this point in his career.

[WhenWillItEnd66]

3 hours ago, Doohickie said:

So, do we think the Byram Bounce is over?

I was wondering the same thing......do not get me wrong, i still love him for the sabres, but he has came down to earth a bit

[pi2000]

3 hours ago, North Buffalo said:

Not sure but CM scored last night for AVS

Guaranteed Avs vs Panthers in the Finals with Casey and Samson fighting  for the Conn Smythe.