Buffalo

I feel like I've seen a lot of Buffalo AC-GM's getting rid of Jokiharju...he still seems like a decent 5-6 guy, is there a reason Buffalo fans don't want to keep him?

I made this as a NSH fan, so take this with a grain of salt.

They have Clifton signed long-term, and they have one of Dahlin/Power/Byram to play RD on another pair. I think BUF could use a better defensive RHD for the 2nd pair, so insert Demelo. And then trade Jokiharju for a versatile forward that has playoff/cup experience for a young team. Getting rid of Jokiharju allows them to improve two positions at once. Jokiharju hasn’t excelled either offensively or defensively imo— kinda the mushy middle. Still has potential to be that number 4 guy though. He seems expendable given his contract status as well.

I don’t love the Jokiharju trade here, but the bigger travesty is just giving away Samuelsson for nothing.

He’ll get less than the two 2nds Toews got, so I went with two 3rds. If he gets more, great. Just moving his cap as he’s not really needed once Demelo, who is better, is added, and they don’t need to spend that kind of money on the 3rd pair. Also opens a spot for Johnson.

I explained my reasoning for moving Jokiharju in a previous comment. I just think Power - Dahlin, Byram - Demelo is significantly better than what it would be with Jokiharju. And they add a guy that would help their PK and contribute offensively while also bringing playoff experience to a team that severely lacks it.

If that’s all they can get for Samuelsson they should just hang onto him. That’s a terrible return for a young top 4 defender on most teams with a long term deal.