If we trade Byram or Power, who for?

[JohnC]

3 hours ago, Brawndo said:

Power is pretty close to untouchable in trade talks for the present Sabres FO 

If that is the case then I salute them. This FO has made a lot of bad decisions, many of them associated with not what they did but rather than what they didn't do. For the cacophonous chorus that is clamoring for a Power trade, I say absolutely not! Not now or for the foreseeable future. On the other hand, if the chorus sings for a Byram deal that makes sense, then I will melodically sing the same song. 

[Archie Lee]

1 hour ago, SABRES 0311 said:

On track for what?

On track to be a top pairing, 22-25 minute a game, 50-60 point, d-man. What we drafted. 

[SABRES 0311]

39 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

On track to be a top pairing, 22-25 minute a game, 50-60 point, d-man. What we drafted. 

I’ll believe when I see it.

[GASabresIUFAN]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

The reason to trade Power is not because he's bad at hockey, it's because he doesn't play hockey how you want your team to. Adams lacks the ability to have that distinction and to act on it. 

except he is terrible defensively.

[dudacek]

2 hours ago, SABRES 0311 said:

I just don’t understand the attachment to OP. He’s a routine topic of poor play. Does anyone think he’s going to be something different?

I do.

I don't think he's going to be anywhere near Dahlin, but I vividly remember Dahlin's 3rd season and how Sabrespace was ready to punt him into Lake Erie for his mistakes:

• Dahlin GP: 56 G: 5 A: 18 P: 23 ESP: 12 SA%: 48.8 GF%: 37.1%
• Power GP: 73 G: 7 A: 32 P: 39 ESP: 33 SA%: 50.9 GF%: 47.5%

Young players do get better, even in Buffalo. Dahlin took a step back in year 3 and 2 steps forward in year 4, then became himself in year 5.

Owen Power has taken a step back defensively this year, and I'm not entirely sure why, but you'd be foolish to say this is who he is from here on out.

This is the list of defencemen his age playing regularly in the NHL right now.

https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/nhl/stats/2024-2025?position=d&age=u23

 

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

except he is terrible defensively.

Most 21yr old defenders are. My issue isn't that, it's that he looks the same as he did in college. Power hasn't really evolved his game and frankly, I lay that at his feet and Wilfords.

[GASabresIUFAN]

2 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Most 21yr old defenders are. My issue isn't that, it's that he looks the same as he did in college. Power hasn't really evolved his game and frankly, I lay that at his feet and Wilfords.

I actually think he was making better defensive decisions in year one then he makes now.  I thought he was positionally better and was playing smarter.

[LGR4GM]

Just now, GASabresIUFAN said:

I actually think he was making better defensive decisions in year one then he makes now.  I thought he was positionally better and was playing smarter.

Honestly, I think the coaching staff in Buffalo is AHL quality at best. Certainly below top notch NCAA programs. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

3 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Honestly, I think the coaching staff in Buffalo is AHL quality at best. Certainly below top notch NCAA programs. 

My second biggest problem with Power is that we need to be better being hard to play against and here is our biggest D, but he's also our softest.  My biggest issue, is that the Sabres can no longer afford to wait for the the lightbulb to go on and for him to become the promised two way blueliner.   He is being paid to be a NO. 1 quality blueliner and right now he's barely 2 pair quality.   IMHO we need move on and re-allocate his 8.3 cap to players who can help prevent goals.

[LGR4GM]

42 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

My second biggest problem with Power is that we need to be better being hard to play against and here is our biggest D, but he's also our softest.  My biggest issue, is that the Sabres can no longer afford to wait for the the lightbulb to go on and for him to become the promised two way blueliner.   He is being paid to be a NO. 1 quality blueliner and right now he's barely 2 pair quality.   IMHO we need move on and re-allocate his 8.3 cap to players who can help prevent goals.

Truthfully, I don't think that bulb is ever coming on. It's not in his personality. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

2 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Truthfully, I don't think that bulb is ever coming on. It's not in his personality. 

Sadly I agree. 

[SabreFinn]

I suggest to trade Power for Dobson and Byram for Mario Ferraro and some picks. That would be a excellent second pair. Dahlin can play with whoever and still be good. We have a much better D with those two moves.

It will never happen.

[steveoath]

Power needs someone who will cover his areas of weakness. A veteran stay at home guy. Once Adams finds this (lol) Power can play his game. I think Byram is the odd man out here. He can be used to get such a player in a trade. Someone like Ryan Graves would be who I’d go for. 

[JohnC]

8 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Sadly I agree. 

Happily, I disagree with your pessimistic view on this tall and lanky young defenseman. Be a little more patient and you will be saved from your own reactionary impulses that spring from your frustration from this exasperating team and organization.

Power is going to be a stud defenseman. Trust me on this one player. We have a gem player in the making and you want to deal him away. It makes no sense, at least to me.

[GASabresIUFAN]

23 minutes ago, JohnC said:

Happily, I disagree with your pessimistic view on this tall and lanky young defenseman. Be a little more patient and you will be saved from your own reactionary impulses that spring from your frustration from this exasperating team and organization.

Power is going to be a stud defenseman. Trust me on this one player. We have a gem player in the making and you want to deal him away. It makes no sense, at least to me.

I’m glad you’re optimistic, but for a team that needs to win now, waiting another 5 years for him to get a clue isn’t acceptable.  

[JohnC]

36 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

I’m glad you’re optimistic, but for a team that needs to win now, waiting another 5 years for him to get a clue isn’t acceptable.  

It won't be a five year wait. He'll steadily get better each year. Go back and review the usual maturation process for tall defensemen such as Hendman and Charo, or for that matter, tall and lean players like Tage. The Sabres need to add talent, not subtract it!

If you want to accelerate the "win now" approach that you strenuously advocate for, then you should yelling for upgrades in net. If the Sabres would have had the recent "Reimer" caliber of netminding all season long, this disappointing team would have been in a playoff position this year.

[GASabresIUFAN]

6 minutes ago, JohnC said:

It won't be a five year wait. He'll steadily get better each year. Go back and review the usual maturation process for tall defensemen such as Hendman and Charo, or for that matter, tall and lean players like Tage. The Sabres need to add talent, not subtract it!

If you want to accelerate the "win now" approach that you strenuously advocate for, then you should yelling for upgrades in net. If the Sabres would have had the recent "Reimer" caliber of netminding all season long, this disappointing team would have been in a playoff position this year.

I have been asking for upgrades in net and on defense for 3+ years.  

That said, Power has made zero progress as a player in the NHL in 3 years.  His O game is about the same and his decision making and positioning have regressed.  His lack of any sort of physical game limits his usefulness to a team trying to be harder to play against and his terrible in zone defensive play is a huge liability.   

[Pimlach]

14 hours ago, JohnC said:

If that is the case then I salute them. This FO has made a lot of bad decisions, many of them associated with not what they did but rather than what they didn't do. For the cacophonous chorus that is clamoring for a Power trade, I say absolutely not! Not now or for the foreseeable future. On the other hand, if the chorus sings for a Byram deal that makes sense, then I will melodically sing the same song. 

Cacophonous chorus. 

 

 

[JohnC]

18 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

I have been asking for upgrades in net and on defense for 3+ years.  

That said, Power has made zero progress as a player in the NHL in 3 years.  His O game is about the same and his decision making and positioning have regressed.  His lack of any sort of physical game limits his usefulness to a team trying to be harder to play against and his terrible in zone defensive play is a huge liability.   

What you see is not what I'm seeing regarding Power. That's okay. Respectful disagreement. On the other hand, I would like to see a more rugged defenseman added to the unit. We both agree that our GM gambled by betting on his young goalie without having a credible option if he faltered. Compare our GM to the Washington GM who added Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren for a miniscule price? Over the past two to three years, the Capitals have reconstituted much of their roster to the point where they are now a Cup contending team. All this was done without making any costly blockbuster deals, simply a series of smart deals that added up to be consequential. Compare their GM stewardship to Buffalo's KA stewardship? 

[quill]

AFAIC, Power can go if we get enough for him, but Byram is quickly turning into the 2nd most talented defenseman we have when it comes to his ability to skate the puck from end to end, and he isn't afraid to get his hands a little dirty, unlike Power. Byram has gotten better and better all season long.

[GASabresIUFAN]

6 minutes ago, JohnC said:

What you see is not what I'm seeing regarding Power. That's okay. Respectful disagreement. On the other hand, I would like to see a more rugged defenseman added to the unit. We both agree that our GM gambled by betting on his young goalie without having a credible option if he faltered. Compare our GM to the Washington GM who added Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren for a miniscule price? Over the past two to three years, the Capitals have reconstituted much of their roster to the point where they are now a Cup contending team. All this was done without making any costly blockbuster deals, simply a series of smart deals that added up to be consequential. Compare their GM stewardship to Buffalo's KA stewardship? 

Exactly.  We are basically the same team we were two years ago.  Good offense, bad defense and goaltending.  Until we fix the defense, nothing is going to get better.

[JohnC]

7 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Exactly.  We are basically the same team we were two years ago.  Good offense, bad defense and goaltending.  Until we fix the defense, nothing is going to get better.

We are in accord. I would also like to add that much of our defensive deficiencies can be attributed to the inadequacy of our young forwards. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

9 minutes ago, JohnC said:

We are in accord. I would also like to add that much of our defensive deficiencies can be attributed to the inadequacy of our young forwards. 

The forwards can't be blamed for D who don't clear the crease, who turn the puck over constantly at the blueline on offense and pass aimlessly on defense.  Of our young forwards, Kulich and Benson, make a considerable effort on both ends.  JJP is improving.  It's a convenient theory that the forwards aren't really helping the D, but the D have been terrible for years.  Most of the forwards who made zero two way effort, like Skinner and VO, are gone, but the D continue to make the same errors.  Our HDCA have remained in the bottom 3rd of the NHL for the last 4 years.  Get better D who clear the crease, block shots and make a good first pass, the complaints about forward support will go by the wayside.

[K-9]

Trading Power is something we will regret in a couple years. Byram can go yesterday as afaic. 

[LGR4GM]

I wonder if you can flip Byram to NYR for Schneider. Not saying 1 for 1 but that would be a trade that I could see as NYR's have Fox and Borgen on the right side already. Miller is there on the left side but Byram has more offense than any of their other defenders outside of Fox. Just curious if there could be a deal made there.