McCabe trade is bad, but like the idea of stealing point

You're not getting 2 2nd's for a 5th defender

Why don't you just trade Middelstadt, Thompson, and 1st (maybe 2) for Point? better than giving up 4 firsts.

I like the idea of Sabres offer sheeting Point.

Don't see where we're getting 2 seconds for a 5th defender...

McCabe definitely isn't an offense D-man but he's far from a 5th defender. He plays on the top pair. two 2nd picks (2 years down the road) is a fair offer. Especially since he's extremely cheap and an RFA. Its a good deal.

McCabe is literally their most complete dman and a top pair guy, theirs 0 reason for Buffalo to move him

Not at all, Sabres have 2 firsts in 2019 and probably StLs in 2020, if not also in 2019. 3 years with out a first but they get a top tier talent and complete their roster, those 1st would assumedly be late round any way. Thats much better than giving up 2 kids who already have experience and are developing in the NHL level, and are expected to be producers in the near future.

I can tell you Thompson will be nothing more than a 3rd liner. Still don't understand why Blues drafted him when they did. But trading Middelstadt isn't a bad idea to get Point. Besides why pay him 10million when he could possibly get less?

Just because he plays on the top pair, doesn't mean he's top pair quality. All it does is show how bad the Sabres defense group is.

2 2nds from any team, especially Detriot is an overpayment for him.

How about no

McCabe is a 4/5 on pace for like 27 points. He is absolutely worth 2 2nds which in hockey are not worth a lot.

Also, hilarious that the the McCabe trade caused the most outrage on this post ?

Oh no, how about yes.

It's obvious your set in your opinion and clearly haven't watched them play. Which is fine, because its not an overpayment, especially since the 2nds are 2 and 3 years down the road.

Just so you know how GMs value future year picks, the usually loose one round worth of value per year. 2020 2nd = 2019 3rd and 2021 2nd = 2019 4th. Its far from an exact science obviously, but since GMs are typically hired to be fired they value picks in the current year much higher then down the road.

So it would be comparable to trading McCabe for a 3rd and 4th rounder this year, which IMO would be undervaluing him.

Yes because points are the best way to evaluate players, especially defenders.

There's no way in hell a competent GM is trading 2 2nd's for him.

"Watching him play", that's just another phrase for confirmation bias. I'll admit he's been okay this year, but that's just another form of recency bias. For his career, McCabe gets hosed while not even playing that many tough minutes. If there's a team that's really depsperate for depth defending help, a 2nd from a contending team this year should be his max value.

Just goes to show how bad the Sabres defense group is.

Actually watching them play is just that: seeing how they are used in game situations (penalty kill, extra man, power play, defensive zone starts vs offensive zone starts, etc.) and is not confirmation bias whatsoever.

And you kind of hurt your own point by saying "McCabe gets hosed while not even playing tough minutes" when in fact he's played literally the hardest minutes alongside Ristolainen. Which you would know if you followed the team or watched them play. I'm not saying he's necessarily a "top-pair" guy, but he's definitely not a 5th D-man.

My main point that you seem to continue to miss is: the value of a 2020 2nd rounder and a 2021 2nd rounder is fair value for a young (25) shutdown LHD who is making 1.6 million and is an RFA (all things which increase his value to teams).

It's pretty simple actually, but let's agree to disagree.

Coming from someone who is used to watching Olli matta get burned on a nightly basis

Let me just say this: If Maatta was on the Sabres, he'd be their best defender by a landslide

Apparently I missed that the sabres traded away ever defenseman in the system.

A lone 2nd which will probably land in the 55-62 from a contender who's looking to round out their bottom pairing might be fair, but 2 2nd's from a rebuilding team like Detroit isn't fair. Both those picks will probably be in the 32-40 range and no competent GM would risk that much for a low reward.

Alright, you've officially lost me lol. Make sure you give your parents back there computer when you've finished.

For fun though lets rank some of the Sabres D-man and Maatta:

1. Dahlin
2. Risto
3. McCabe
4. Pilut
5. Bogo
6. Scandella (This is probably were Maatta ends up)

Just my opinion

Sabres are top 10 in team defense lead by this group

Id have him equal or slightly better than Bogo but thats at best