I am not going to argue that the Sabres have not mismanaged players probably more than other teams, but pretending that any team is immune to that is folly. That is horrible mismanagement to put a player on the trade block who has proven to be a competent Nhl defenseman for a player like Nylander who had proven to be very immature and lacked any semblance of a work ethic to realize his potential. Additionally while Jokiharju was one the Hawks better defenseman in 18-19 they sent him down to the ahl for players to make room for players that were not nearly as good creating the rift that was started. That would have been similar if the Hawks had sent Dach back to the WHL this year after 9 games because he was only playing third line minutes at the time to make way for a less skilled less worthy veteran

Honestly, kinda like the Pens trade

There is a whole backdrop to the story. Jokiharju also refused to play the system which is why he was sent down. Chicago isn't going to tolerate insubordination and I'm guessing Jokiharju going from playing in one of the top 3 to 4 hockey markets to Buffalo got the message load and clear. Alternatively, Nylander was the first player back at the practice arena this past week along with Kane and Debrincat. Seems he got the message. Sometimes these kids, unfairly so, go from being a hot commodity in the juniors or overseas to a nobody in the NHL and they have trouble adjusting and growing up. I think this is the case with both players and seems it's working out for both players and teams. I'm betting Nylander puts up 40 points or more this season as an example.

I would take that bet. And honestly if the hope is 40 points for a second line player that doesn't play defense, which is still evident from his advanced stats last year that is a pretty low bar. I would expect to see him flipped by the trade deadline if he is seeing consistent top 6 minutes, otherwise expect to see him buried in your lineup where he will not be producing 40 points, more on the pace he was this year for 30 points even though he was playing with Kane or Toews almost the entire year

Nylander spent plenty of time on the 4th line and 3rd line this season and was on pace for 43 points. He averaged 12 minutes and 8 seconds a game this season; that's not top 6 minutes and that's not spending most of his time playing with Kane and Toews. He played with them some, but not most of the time.

He played 60% of his ice time with Toews or Kane and had 7 points away from them. He is useless in a bottom 6 role. And a player that would have gotten you 46 points if you project out a full season playing with them is not much production from a player that is a defensive liability