Byram Mitts Clarke Trade Discussion

Team: 2023-24 Buffalo Sabres

Initial Creation Date: Feb. 16, 2024

Published: Feb. 16, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Just a hypothetical trade discussion involving a 3 way trade between Buffalo, LA and Colorado. The basis of the trade is Casey Mittelstadt for Bowen Byram where Buffalo then sends Byram to the Kings for Brant Clarke. Colorado gets their second line centre in Mitts. LA gets a high profile LHD who can succeed Gavrikov eventually. Buffalo gets their RHD they so desperately need.
Obviously a lot of different things need to happen here for this to work. An extension agreed with Colorado would likely be in the $7M range. That would hinder their cap situation greatly next season unless Landeskog can't come back. I know he's skating and stuff but trying to return from what he had to go through is extremely difficult, if anyone can though it's Gabriel.
For the Kings, obviously Clarke isn't available in normal circumstances. They would have to believe Byram can become the player everyone expected him to be, I believe he has star potential still. They would also have to have an extension for Roy in the works or close to done. If they aren't confident they can get Roy signed to a reasonable extension, they definitely don't consider trading Clarke. Adding a high profile forward prospect like Östlund would also be beneficial for them Kings. He could be swapped out for Savoie, Rosen, Wahlberg or Kulich. Not totally sure how each are valued and I'm sure the trade could be adjusted to compromise. The retention on Byram is just the cherry on top.
Buffalo finally gets a high end, high ceiling RHD to go with their young core. They give up alot to get him but players like him don't come available except in exceptional circumstances (ie. Drysdale - Gauthier swap). I tried to create an exceptional circumstance for LA to consider moving him. Obviously it's easy to say they just keep Clarke and be done with it and that's the likely scenario but since this is to be geared towards discussion and to see if it could work for all teams involved.

1.

2.

3.

4.