IMO neither Copp not Ristolainen have reached their peak out put.
But taken together the two trades are interesting:
Girgensons, Zemgus ($800,000 retained), Ristolainen, Rasmus; Thompson, Tage; McCabe, Jake [RFA Rights] for Zucker, Jason; Copp, Andrew; Perreault, Mathieu; 2021 2nd round pick (WPG); 2020 2nd round pick (MIN)
Buffalo gives up 2 defensemen for a third center, third LW, second LW and 2 seconds.
This is MY evaluation, every one can have their own:
Ristolainen for Zucker
Thompson for Copp
Girgensons for 2 seconds
McCabe for Perreault
I am sure most Sabre fans would wail and gnash their teeth at these trades, but IMO the first three lines currently favor the Sabres.
i watched Thompson play in the French Connection 3 on 3 and he was the best player on the ice. Ristolainen is reaching the age where many current top NHL defensemen had their break out season.
On the down side the Sabres have 5 LW looking to fill 4 spots, this post trades away one but adds two more.
The Sabres finally have 7 decent defensemen and now this post trades 2 of them.
OK let's roll, let's make a deal on both trades.