solid roster very well done. Only thing I would say is I don't think Varlamov signs for that and I think we can sign some of the secondary guys like Nilsson or Elliott for 2M max. Use those savings to sign a 3LD and keep Jones in the minors.

That Buffalo trade is brutal, dont know if you misunderstand the value of Sekera or of Ristolainen but Buffalo wouldn't call Ken Holland back after that offer.

I think you misunderstand Ristolainen’s value

Yes a 25 year old right handed dman who puts up 40+ points a year since he was 20 is worth a 33 year old dman who cant stay healthy and a B level prospect.

Calling him a defenseman is reaching. He’s a third line RW that makes $5.4 mill.

I'm not nearly so negative about Sekera or Bear -Sekera is playing very well for Slovakia right now - but I agree that your offer for Ristolainen isn't enough. I think you're going to have to add at least the 2019 2nd (or Samorukov) to get Buffalo to the table.

Here is the deal everyone, Sekera does not fit into Edmonton defense at the current time. Sekera's had one season equivalent to Ristolainen's last 4, Sekera is 8 years older with a contract higher than Ristolainen. Ristolainen has more hits and blocked shots than any other Sabre and nearly 3 times as many hits/60 as Sekera and more blks/60 than Sekera. They have nearly equal OZstarts and Corsi. While Sekera has played only 60 games over the last 2 years (and over 76 games only twice in his 12 year career). Ristolainen has never played less than 73 games in his entire career.
So now that the obviously differences between the two have been established, here is the bottom line, Betterall DOES NOT need to move Ristolainen, if you want him there will have to be an over payment. Ethan Bear does not move the needle. Start with EDM 2020 first, Bear and a roster player, other wise no deal. If you include Sekera than the price will go up as he is as much as a cap dump as any player with only 12 points in 2 years with a $5,500,000 salary. This is not to say that this is the value of Ristolainen, this is what I think Betterall would want to move him. Because as soon as he is traded, Buffalo will be looking for a player equivalent to him.

Doubt you'd get Rasmus Ristolainen for Sekera+Bear Need something better.