Team: 2018-19 Buffalo Sabres

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 8, 2018

Published: Apr. 23, 2018

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Sabres drop to #4 in the lottery this year and pick Tkachuk. I tried to make the WSH deal fair for both sides. Even though he has a big contract, Okposo's the most productive player in the trade. The Sabres take on the last year of Orpik's contract and retain on Okposo's to free up cap room for the Caps. The Sabres also get a forward with upside in Burakovsky, and a promising defenseman in Bowey. In return the Capitals take a flyer on Nylander, and get a solid defenseman in McCabe.

Although Orpik is old, he brings leadership to the defensive core and can add a physical presence when needed. Either way, he'll be gone next year, unlike Bogosian who would have had another year left on his contract if I didn't trade him. Next year, Orpik, Pominville and Hagelin's contracts could be gone, freeing up a ton of cap space. I'm also not sure how realistic the ARI trade is, but they could use more depth, and have the cap space to afford it.

1.

2.

3.

4.