Let me preface that I do not think Botterill would trade Risto. Your team caption says it all 'defense shaky'

With that being said I actually think the deal you have is fair to both sides - Risto for Schmaltz. If the Sabres win the lottery & draft Dahlin than this deal has more of a chance of being made.

Now on to the rest of the story.... The Carolina deal needs one tweak and that is the Sabres do not want Scott Darling coming back. If the Sabres are dealing a legit Center in ROR plus a pick plus a role player plus an RFA #1 goalie it will take Noah Hanifin and another top asset maybe Aho, or Lindholm....

I understand where you were going with the Domi deal. I would not agree to the condition that you have stipulated instead I would make the deal without the condition McCabe & 2019 Second Round pick. I would ask you one question do the Sabres really need Domi.... by dealing away McCabe you make a defense even more shaky.... I would think that Rodrigues & Baptiste have shown that they can play 2nd line minutes.

I liked your reply and I would love to have Hanifin. IMO, O'Reilly for Hanifin would be pretty close to be fair maybe Carolina would need to add a small amount. I guess in that case I do not see Lehner, Girgensons and a 4th adding up to Aho, or Lindholm.

You are spot on..... I do not think Lehner, Z & a 4th add up to either Aho or Lindholm.... I do believe that ROR is worth more than Hanifin at this point in time. Hanifin had a bit of a regression year in his development (not as bad as the Myers year after winning Rookie of the Year) but still a step back.

To make the deal work

Carolina: ROR, 3rd Round pick in 19, Lehner's (sign and trade), Bailey & Z

Buffalo: Hanifin & Aho

Aho looks really good, I think CAR would not want to give him up. But that being said, I think they would see Lehner as an upgrade (and unlike many other commentators you and I seem to agree is that he has value), Bailey looks like he wants to play in the NHL, ( his lack of progress may be due to the bunch of losers on this roster), the 3rd IMO would have to be this years 2nd or next years 1st (IMO I think Botterill will be able to retool and dump a bunch of these losers and make the team much better and because this is a loaded draft a mid pick next year may not be as good as the 32nd pick this year). BTW who is Z?

Z is Girgensons as it is shorter to type Z...... Bailey had a lost year due to the injury bug..... Botterill has to clean up his bottom 6 forwards this off season..... If he does not deal ROR then he has a less cleaning to do.... this season told us that there are players on this current roster that do not fit or want to play in the Housley system time to move them out.