ARI and SJ decline

I decline your comment

I do like the idea of Couture in Buffalo, I don't see how Okposo would be going back the other way, a more reasonable offer would be that 8 OA plus Mitts and SJ would have to seriously look at it - Couture checks a lot of boxes for Buffalo, 1/2 C , veteran leadership and playoff experience

Not sure Ari rejects that offer - Phil has been rather underwhelming and this trade frees up around 6 million for Ari to sign Hall

8 million a year through age 38 gets you assets, like mittelstadt and a 1st. Dont think its unreasonable to take back a little money as san jose gets out of a huge contract

Precisely

He's 31 today - there's nothing wrong with having that deal or an older player who clearly helps Buffalo significantly over the next 4 seasons - the problem in SJ is all there players are over 30 but Couture in Buffalo is a huge help to becoming a playoff team

I think I valued him properly. San jose saves 36 million over 7 years (more if they eventually buy out okposo) and gets 2 good assets

Maybe SJ retains a million on Couture for 8 OA plus Mitts

I dont think that's reasonable.

Maybe couture for 8th overall and okposo, but I dont think I should have to give that pick up based on couture age, contract and injuries

Arizona definitely decline. Kessel had a bad year but he still has value. You've given basically nothing for him, a bad defenseman, a KHL defenseman and a bad prospect. They'd be better off just gambling on another season of Kessel.

This deal would be like taking nothing in return for Skinner in a trade, only Skinner has longer term and more potential downside to the Sabres than Kessel has to Arizona.

I like Couture but his contract sucks. $8 mil a year until he's like 38 or 39 years old, that's crazy. We'd be trading valuable assets for his worst years. I think there are better options

I'd rather pay the price down the road than waste jack eichels entire prime. First 3 years its a almost a wash in terms of cap

Well, I disagree. Arizona is known to be clearing cap and they clear a bunch here and get younger.

I agree on not wasting any more Jack years. I just think there are other options where you can get the same production as Couture and not get killed financially. Players like Cirelli, Monahan, or Hertl would give you the same (or probably better production as Couture declines) and would be cheaper for longer. Even if I need to give up more assets, I'd rather do that than taking on Couture's crazy contract. If we can't shake any of those players loose from those teams, there are also some veteran stopgap options that probably wouldn't give you as good of production as Couture the first 2 years, but would still be productive enough to make it worth it financially while we see what Cozens, Mitts or 8oa has.

Pilut very likely will be playing in the nhl the next couple of years and not the KHL. He was horribly managed last year as he should have been a regular part of their top six. His KHL contract has an out for him to sign an NHL contract so that if the Sabrees do trade him and a team signs him to an nhl contract he can take that option. He spent all of last year in the ahl because he was the only Sabres dman that didn't need to clear waivers. Montour is not a bad defenseman. He is an average nhl defenseman that arizona can sign cheap on a 1 year qualifyingnpffer under 4 million and then trade at the deadline if they want or extend him if they are having a good year. Asplund projects as a solid third line center winger that is ready for the nhl now. He is not going to get you 50 - 60 points but he should get you 25 - 30 and plays a very good 2 way game.

these are fair points. i prefer not to trade this years pick and i like couture. we disagree and thats ok

i traded them ristolainen, not montour

Sharks easily decline.

Same

your post is all about them signing montour?

Mostly about Pilut, but Montour and Risto a re very much 1 in the same. Risto has similar trade value as he has higher offensive upside which Arizona needs but is at a higher cap number and would need to exposed in the expansion draft

Sharks say no of course

hes taking a page out of my books, i suggested Okposo and 8oa to SJ for Couture. It makes sense for both teams because it frees SJ of one of their expensive contracts and Kyles conrracr ends the same summer Meier needa his huge raise. Buffalo gets a 2C who plays with a lot of heart and has great playoff numbers

I am on the verge of saying that's ok and would probably talk myself into it, but I prefer this trade