The moment I saw Cozens before I even saw this, it was an automatic no

Does this really make sense?

Most 7th overall picks won't be as good as Connor. Similarly do you need Risto?

That's why I put it in the title. We don't want Risto, but IMO need a 2C of the future. You have Eichel, Mittlestat, Reinhart, Cousens so although you won't like it, he could be moved even though he's the shiny new toy. I don't want to trade the known quantity in KFC either but you have to give to get and the only way Risto for one of our wingers works is if Cousens is included. Then we need to add on our side and there's lots of risk the Cousens doesn't pan out so I'm willing to include a high pick, potentially a 1st rounder in a very deep draft.

Tempting

I agree that it's likely that Cousens won't be as good as Connor but he plays a position of need as we have no heir apparent at 2C as Little ages so we trade from a position of stregth to address a position of weakness. Most Jets fans want nothing to do with Risto, but that's who Buffalo is tying to move. Adding Risto does create a real log jam on D but we'll probably lose one in the expansion draft. With Buff we have the luxary of moving Risto down the lineup if he can't handle the top pair.

I'd do this deal.

Realistically, it would be more likely to trade Mittelstadt before Cozens, especially since Cozens is exactly what this team needs with his ability to play center and his power forward game.

Although Connor is great, do we need Risto? No, but I’d still rather get value and also plug a major hole for now and the future if I trade him and Connor actually does not do that right now....we have plenty of options at left wing ...we need centers plain and simple

and not to mention, with Dahlin and Reinhart along with out glut of defenseman like Montour for example, will require new contracts, acquiring Connor will simply put us into cap hell in a couple yearsx

Having good players does create Cap hell.... With that said you do have $20M in expiring UFA contracts this year so I don't really see an issue but you'll know what you expect these guys to sign for and who will be retained far better than me so I won't argue. Why be good now when it could become a problem later... amiright.

20 million in expiring UFA contracts but .....

Dahlin will be a player that will command more than 10 million on his next contract with certain.

Sam Reinhart is also due for a huge raise probably north of 7-8 million if he has another good year.

Brandon Montour will also get a raise and be a 6-7 million defenseman.

43-47 million possibly available so far and that’s 25 million tied up in 3 guys potentially.

That’s nothing until Connor brings you even closer to the cap and gets you over 70 million.

Now you how much is left to sign guys like Mittelstadt who you hope will be a solid number 2 center someday, Henri Jokiharju, Olafsson, And Pilut? Any one of those guys could have productive breakout seasons and command a raise. It’s not that hard to get into trouble quickly.

Those young guys making an impact is going to be what Buffalo needs to get good, not trading away a team controlled, recently drafted player like Cozens with loads of potential for a player that for all we know may not even get us into the playoffs.

I'd do this trade without the condition on that trade, no way I'm sending Buffalo a 1st round pick for Ristolainen and yes I know Cozens is highly rated but let's face it he could be a flop, even a 2nd seems like it might be a bit much but I'd do that, no 1st though.

Can't really argue with that logic. Touche

Slow down on the certainty on Dahlin there. There have been like 8 contracts over 10 million. Dahlin was drafted as a generational player and had a very good rookie season. But he is still not close to being a 10+ million player. Is he on the path to? Sure. But if he ends up being a very good, even franchise defenseman, but not generational (say Pietrangelo to get a feel of the type of dman I mean) it's not a ridiculous outcome. Saying he'll get 10 million + is "certain" is an overcall at this point