Montour alone probably does not get you Tuch. I like the idea though. Risto for just picks is not a good idea. There’s no reason to trade for Savard if you keep one of the RD you traded. Buffalo needs an LD more, and there are several UFA options.

Players in the Jackets-Sabres deal who are valuable and would play a useful role in Columbus:
Savard

Players in the Jackets-Sabres deal who are valueless and would not get playing time in Columbus:
Thompson
Pilut

And no, Mittelstadt wouldn't fix it; we have plenty of "project" centers already and do not need another at all, let alone in exchange for one of the only two NHL-level RHDs we have.

I think it’s been fairly well established on AGM that the Devils aren’t interested in Risto - hard pass from NJ

I've seen the contrary

Please enlighten me because I've only seen one trade for Risto from a Devils AGM in the last two months. Maybe you are misremembering. The bottom line is Risto is an overpayed defensive liability and is a bad fit on the right side in NJ. I'd rather take my chances with my 2nd pick.

Risto is more often traded from Buffalo than sought after by other teams and there is an obvious reason for that.

I am not going through old AGM to enlighten you.

As stated. I already did.