What’s the story on Bjugstad? Just by looking at his point production he’s only had like two good years

Honestly, think he can be successful elsewhere but he just doesn't fit Pittsburgh's style of play. Also has some trouble staying healthy, he plays like he's 5'6" instead of 6'6" as a result. He's a turnaround candidate if a team can give him the right wingers and PP2 time to give him some confidence, which I think Buffalo might be able to do.

No thx, McCann for Montour makes more sense and I just saw a similar idea on hf.

They might have to use McCann to get rid of Jack Johnson.

Don't see us moving McCann, and Montour is clearly the odd man out in Buffalo. Bjugstad is more proven as a center than McCann, and expansion exempt unless he's given a deal before then. Riikola is there to even the deal out, and fills Buffalo's other need at LD

JJ is getting bought out

Bjugstad is a strange guy with a decent salary, he is constantly traumatized and cannot be an answer or a valuable player for us. Montour is usually one of our best defenders when he is healthy and plays RD, but he needs a new contract and he may be the first guy to trade. I like McCann more than Bjugstad, I think you too.

Again, I just don't see them moving McCann. That trade is fair value imo

Pittsburgh would just be happy to be rid of Bjugstad’s contract, he’s not really a second line player. Like you said he’s also had a lot of injury problems lately, and that does not help his value. No one is trading for Evan Rodrigues, Pittsburgh will not even give him a qualifying offer. Vancouver wants more for Virtanen, they will probably saddle him with a bad contract (Roussel, Beagle, or Sutter) since they need to move out money. I would rather trade Montour to Vancouver in a deal for Virtanen and Beagle. Those two help the Sabres more than Bjugstad could.

Virtanen won't get much more than his offer sheet comp - which is a 2nd round pick. We disagree on Bjugstad's value and Buffalo doing that Vancouver trade doesn't fill either of its holes, at center or LD

When he was healthy Bjugstad was one of my favorite players to watch. I really liked his game and he reminded me a lot of Paul Gaustad. He has not been healthy in quite a while, and his numbers have dropped considerably in that time. He’s simply not worth the money he’s being paid anymore. Pittsburgh has no use for him at that price, they would be happy to move his deal and would take less to do it.

There is a reason I included Riikola and the pick in the deal. Bjugstad is in a similar position to Montour, though I realize their value is not the same so I evened it out

But we don't need Bjugstad

The only center better than him on the Sabres is Eichel. I can't think of a team that needs him more

Easy no from Buffalo. Montour is moved for a good middle 6 player and a 2nd, not a cap dump, depth D and a low pick

Disagree, also Bjugstad = good middle 6 player. Riikola + 4th = 2nd, so that pretty much hits on what you think Montour's value is

Even if that were fair value the Sabres are not improved by this trade. That’s why it doesn’t happen.

Need something valuable in that montour trade.
This won't get it done

Bjugstad had a spine injury - no thanks

Virtanen is gonna cost you more than a low-end 2nd and a 13th forward

I mean, if Bjugstad was still that guy from Florida who scores 45-50 points in a season and doesn't get injured, then of course yes, I would trade Montour for him one-on-one, but he is not the same guy now, big questions to his health. We can get a player who gets injured, get 4 million and we have a hole in that position again.

If B-stad had a cap hit under 3 mil then yes, I'd agree with you. Riikola is a depth D, they don't go for more than 3rds or 4ths

This is how it works and fans of both teams seem to agree.

https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/buf-and-pit.2772100/