If LA is making a playoff run, why are they trading their best LHD?
FLA is not going to pay a 2nd round pick for Alzner's brutal contract and fringe 4th liner.
After adding Skinner, BUF isn't going to overpay Reinhart to get Patches.

Lmao no. Reinhart is younger, an RFA, smarter, more reliable, cheaper, and has chemistry with eichel.

Because Muzzin have already been part of trade rumors with MTL. They are interested in him. If they want another D, you can give them Benn, Alzner (with retain) or Schlemko. It's not overpaid to give reinhart for Pacioretty. Condition is if Pacc sign with Buffalo. They will have to three scorer in Skinner, Pacc, Eichel. They have lot of young prospect. It's a good mix of vet and rookie. Finaly, if you think FLA don't want to pay that price, a 3rd round will be ok. McCarron Can be a surprise and become a Brian Boyle.

We're not paying a 30 year old 7+ mil for term when he hasn't been very reliable recently. Just stop it. It's ridiculous for the sabres.

I don't think it is in Buffalo's interest to be involved in any trade at this point. Now all they're going to do is to sit tight and see how all the changes and additions turn out to be.

For the record, those trade rumours didn't involve because LA was interested in trading Muzzin, they wanted to acquire Patches but then essentially addressed that need by signing Kovalchuk. After picking up skinner I also don't think that Buffalo will ship out young roster players for Pacioretty, they aren't in win now mode despite having made significant changes, and they would surely still rather maintain their core of young skill than trade it for a pending UFA.

Buffalo probably can afford Skinner and Pacioretty (at the TDL) and still have Reinhart . Right now, they have about $6M in cap and really just Reinhart to sign. So they're tight for this year, but OK. They could add Max at the deadline.

Next year, Pominville and Moulson come off the books, and the cap will go up the obligatory $3M or so. So that's $14M or thereabouts to sign Skinner (probably $2M more); Larsson, Beaulieu (maybe) and McCabe. Sabres will likely need to find a goalie but they're really well set up for the future.