Casey Mittelstadt traded for Bowen Byram

[dudacek]

1 hour ago, Thorny said:

I do like how the Hall of Famer is the one with the apparent negative connotation lol 

I know, I smiled as I wrote it.

But I figured this board would get the point, regardless of how they read it.

[Thorner]

17 minutes ago, dudacek said:

I know, I smiled as I wrote it.

But I figured this board would get the point, regardless of how they read it.

I’m sure they did. I just enjoy missing it intentionally

[dudacek]

4 hours ago, Pimlach said:

For the record:  I am on the fence about Bryam.  He is young, and talented, but I have not see enough to pay him big bucks.  What I saw did not blow me away after his first week as a Sabres.  He had a Zubrus-like start though. 

What I saw with Krebs at 3C and and Jost at 4C will not cut it.  They need help at center right now.   

They can extend Byram now, or wait and possibly trade him or lose him.  I am betting they extend him before the season, I sure hope it is a bridge that does not cost a lot.  If it is I will move on from this trade.  

Dahlin, Power, Bryam, Johnson, Joker - all have  attributes that seem similar to me.  I wanted a heavyweight hitter (like Clifton who is a middle weight) but with mobility and puck skills like the others.  Muel could be the key if he can be more physical and stay healthy.  

I don't understand why there was not conversation with Mitts' agent either.  The only explanation is that Adams has a stockpile of center prospects.  

Byram has already signed his bridge contract. He has a year left on that and a minimum 2 more years after that until he reaches UFA status.

He’s played seasons of 19, 30 and 42 games before this year’s 73 and maxed out at 29 points.

If he signs for term this summer, it shouldn’t break the bank.

If he doesn’t sign this summer and doesn’t take a step next year, he won’t break the bank as an RFA next summer.

If he levels up this year and earns a big long-term deal next summer, that’s hardly a bad thing.

If he levels up this year and declines a long-term deal next summer, we’ve still got nearly 2 years to use or flip what should be a valuable commodity.

Not really seeing a problem there, at least from the contract status side.

Edited May 1 by dudacek

[Mango]

On 4/28/2024 at 2:28 PM, seer775 said:

 

How? 

We have a surplus at Top 6 F and a lack of Top 4 D. Top 4 D is more important than Top 6 F. Trade for Dmen makes sense here.

I'm not one to defend the Sabres organization, but this is one of the times the team did something logical.

No we do not. 

We have some kids who might be good top 6 forwards in 3-6 years. 

At some point the Sabres need to field a capable roster today. Not a roster full of kids who might be more capable tomorrow. 

Edit: I will add that I think Sabres only had above average top 6 play from Tage, Mitts, and JJP this season. The rest were middling middle 6 at best this past season. 

I think we need help at the top of the roster too. 

Edited May 1 by Mango

[Doohicksie]

14 minutes ago, Mango said:

No we do not. 

We have some kids who might be good top 6 forwards in 3-6 years. 

And we've seen just how long it's taken Tage, Mitts and Cozy to develop.  Krebs is still a work in progress at best.  And @seer775 thinks someone's gonna jump out of Rochester and be our 3C?  Fat chance.

Byram hasn't filled an obvious hole, and now we have a Mitts-shaped hole in the forward ranks.

As others have said, this trade only makes sense if Adams as a plan to fill that hole.

 

[Pimlach]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

Byram has already signed his bridge contract. He has a year left on that and a minimum 2 more years after that until he reaches UFA status.

He’s played seasons of 19, 30 and 42 games before this year’s 73 and maxed out at 29 points.

If he signs for term this summer, it shouldn’t break the bank.

If he doesn’t sign this summer and doesn’t take a step next year, he won’t break the bank as an RFA next summer.

If he levels up this year and earns a big long-term deal next summer, that’s hardly a bad thing.

If he levels up this year and declines a long-term deal next summer, we’ve still got nearly 2 years to use or flip what should a valuable commodity.

Not really seeing a problem there, at least from the contract status side.

Interesting information for sure.  I was under the impression he is expecting to get a big contract after this one.  I’m probably over thinking that given your response  

 

[dudacek]

47 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Interesting information for sure.  I was under the impression he is expecting to get a big contract after this one.  I’m probably over thinking that given your response  

 

He might be expecting one, and the Avs were worried about how they might be able to give him a raise if he lived up to his talent.

But he hasn’t earned one yet.

 

Edited May 1 by dudacek

[bob_sauve28]

We did give up size and some toughness in giving up Casey. He could play along the boards really well.

[Doohicksie]

Adams' strategy seems to be to grow from within, knowing that when players fully develop there isn't cap space to pay everybody, so he's depending on players on ELCs and low AAV bridge contracts to grow into the roles.  I think that only works if your prospects are ready when you have to move your more developed players.  In the case of Mitts that was not the case.  Being an RFA the Sabres still had control and could have held him for another year at least to give time to grow a replacement out of the prospect ranks (and/or give Krebs one more year of seasoning).

[Thorner]

 

[Stoner]

1 hour ago, Doohickie said:

Adams' strategy seems to be to grow from within, knowing that when players fully develop there isn't cap space to pay everybody, so he's depending on players on ELCs and low AAV bridge contracts to grow into the roles.  I think that only works if your prospects are ready when you have to move your more developed players.  In the case of Mitts that was not the case.  Being an RFA the Sabres still had control and could have held him for another year at least to give time to grow a replacement out of the prospect ranks (and/or give Krebs one more year of seasoning).

There's no strategy beyond helping maintain the Pegula family lifestyle and selling hope. KA is given way too much credit.

[sabremike]

17 minutes ago, Thorny said:

 

1- Trade Top 6 center for defenseman whose career has fallen off a cliff and is a complete liability in his own end.

2- ????????????????

3- PROFIT!

[Doohicksie]

46 minutes ago, PASabreFan said:

There's no strategy beyond helping maintain the Pegula family lifestyle and selling hope. KA is given way too much credit.

Ah, there's the morose PA we've come to know and.... well, know.

52 minutes ago, Thorny said:

 

Not surprised.  He's a good player and after the Sabres didn't even want to talk about extension he's highly motivated to prove KA wrong.

[PerreaultForever]

That's good captain speak. Their best player was actually MacKinnon. But Mitts has certainly filled the hole they had at center and Walker has Byram's spot so they are better than they were with the deals they made. 

[oddoublee]

1 hour ago, PASabreFan said:

There's no strategy beyond helping maintain the Pegula family lifestyle and selling hope. KA is given way too much credit.

things to do still.... https://www.autoevolution.com/news/sports-billionaires-new-superyacht-is-a-massive-custom-toy-for-lavish-family-vacations-196271.html

[inkman]

This thread needs to die a quick death.  Ugh. 

[DarthEbriate]

9 minutes ago, inkman said:

This thread needs to die a quick death.  Ugh. 

50 pages isn’t too many, is it?

 

[That Aud Smell]

1 hour ago, inkman said:

This thread needs to die a quick death.  Ugh. 

it is bumming me out, for sure.

[Doohicksie]

1 hour ago, seer775 said:

You wanna give Joker, RJ, Mule, or Clifton top minutes?

Not sure I trust them any less than Byram, tbh.

[Stoner]

I hope he hits every railing on the way down, like that dude in Titanic.

Sea, friend of the land, is angry. Avenge me, ocean!

[MattPie]

On 5/1/2024 at 2:17 PM, sabremike said:

1- Trade Top 6 center for defenseman whose career has fallen off a cliff and is a complete liability in his own end.

2- ????????????????

3- PROFIT!

#2 is "hire back the last coach that had any success with the team without looking elsewhere"

[Huckleberry]

2 hours ago, seer775 said:

The answer to 3C is Chandler Stephenson or Sean Monahan.

Still need a Top 4D to pair with Power. OEL, Walker, Montour, and Tanev are my votes.

Still have to figure out what to do with Krebs. If he doesnt put up at least 30 points this year, he's out.

Does he not suck really bad ? 

Anyway my answer for 3C is Dylan Cozens and signing Stamkos as UFA 😛

[Thorner]

At least it was a hockey trade

Baby steps

[oddoublee]

2 hours ago, Huckleberry said:

Does he not suck really bad ? 

Anyway my answer for 3C is Dylan Cozens and signing Stamkos as UFA 😛

This times a gazillion. Any center signing that pushes Cozens to 3 C is gold in my book of various things.

[dudacek]

Dylan Cozens had a bad year.

Even with that bad year, his 47 points ranked him as a low-end 2C.

The 68 points he scored last year would have ranked him as a low-end 1C this year alongside, Eichel, O’Reilly, Larkin, Horvat and Hischier.

There is no doubt in my mind Dylan Cozens will be a very competent 2C for the Sabres next year and probably for the majority of his contract.