Sabres should trade for domi . Montour + 2021 1st (top 5 protected) to be the 2C

I don't think that Montreal is looking for RD, and that trade would require keeping Ristolainen. I wouldn't be a fan.

I'd think getting rid of Carter Hutton for any other "here for a year" goaltender would do the Sabres a bit of good. Any team likely expecting to not be a playoff team and in need of a netminder for next season would likely have him for a midround pick. UPL is still likely a couple years out: this is the window to find a half-decent backup and allow Ullmark to take another step forward in his game. If Buffalo can develop as strong of a 1A/1B core with Ullmark and UPL as everyone wants to see them do so, the rest of this team is a lot easier to figure out.

I'm not sold on running Mittelstadt as a depth forward, and can speak from first-hand experience what that kind of deployment will do to a promising, young forward. Could Johansson be flipped at the draft with retention for additional draft capital or in part of a deal for a Tyler Johnson? I would think a sheltered kid line of Mittelstadt-Cozens-Thompson (with Casey and Dylan flipping wing/center based on the strong-side draw) would be more apt to do all three men more purpose than being ran as a traditional third line. The fourth line would handle the defensive minutes as needed.

Sign Haula to a 3 or 4 year deal as the stopgap till Cozens or Middlestadt are ready for the 2C job.

Could the Sabres afford to sign both Haula and Granlund along with their RFA'S and have enough money to pay Dahlin and any other RFA's the following summer?
I think Haula and Granlund would really help with the Sabres lack of production in their middle 6, if not Granlund I wonder if they could afford to fit Namestnikov.

Haven't heard from you in a while, Beter, so your usual thoughtful insight is welcome. Your second paragraph is particularly strong. I was lazy in not saying that if Buffalo can find a temporary #2 C, then Cozens and Mittelstadt would alternate at #3 C as the coach decides, but your idea is better (no pun intended).

I have it on good authority from the guys in Minnesota that Granlund is much better at wing than at center, so I haven't suggested using him there. I still think Johnson or Haula are the best alternatives, except in the unlikely event that (1) there is a one-buyout-per-team bonanza, and (2) Arizona uses it on Stepan.

I know Granlund isn't a center, I mean they should sign him for a top or middle 6 wing job.

Tampa fans are pretty unified in their dislike for Johnson, can't see him as a fit for the Sabres and he doesn't waive for Buffalo anyway, I think Haula should be the Sabres stopgap at 2C.

Yeah, that's my thinking, too.

It seems like Jake Allen and Tyler Bozak could be good fits. STL loved having Hutton and I feel like he would be the perfect backup for Binner, plus those interviews would be hilarious. Bozak could be a good middle 6 center option as he's much better defensively than can be expected from Cozens/Mittelstadt. He also was perfect in our development of Thomas and can play the RW when one of your young centers is ready to take over.

Thanks for the input!! Don't know how ready the faithful are for another Blues-Sabres trade, though.

Ha, if it makes you feel better, you can only do better.

I think Lazar would fit perfect as the 13/14 forward

Stopgap 2C,
I’d love to get someone like Bonino