I think if they trade Girard, it's to replace either Kadri or Burakovski this summer.

Young player on a entry level contract, or just a good contract.

i would think it'd be for a piece to better help them now. Like a Olofsson or Jokiharju

Trading for Girard makes no sense, Girard is still 99.9% LD LD is more of his strength he's pretty weak as a RHD.

dahlin could flip to the right, its where he has been quoted to prefer to play

I would do that

Change Middelstadt to Olofsson and that's kinda in the ballpark

Hows Byram going? I think a lot will depend on that.

Buffalo needs some large physical rhd to go with power and dahlin, and can’t really be overly pricey. Undersized veteran puck mover wouldn’t be bad, but definitely not a moment to pay top dollar for, need to draft or bargain hunt those two spots. Buffalo on the rise looking forward to a strong squad, pulling for krebs and cozens to be franchise players for them.

Yeah Dahlin is strong at both LD/RD so switching him to RD makes more sense. I've always heard that it's his preferable position anyways.

I have heard the same thing but if true why not go all the way and trade for Chychrun.

Practicing with the team and traveled on last trip. Team has said it is up to him when he is ready.

That doesn’t remotely get you Girard. The one name in BUF that moves that needle for COL is Tuch. Mittlestadt doesn’t have any real value and COL just got rid of their version of him they don’t have any interest in a reclamation project. Johnson doesn’t make the Avs top 6 so a mid to late 1st has zero interest to COL.

If im COL i ask for VGK 2022 1st and Cozens (maybe Tuch instead of Cozens).
No interest in Mittelstadt or the prospect Johnson noted above.

A trade for Girard in no way can center around those guys.

Girard is locked up for 5 more years and would easily be a top pairing guy for Buffalo, at least until Power moved to the NHL and adjusts. Top pairing defensemen are a hell of a lot more expensive than a B prospect, a reclamation project forward, and a mid/late 1st.

Hell, the Avs gave up Helleson + 2nd for 20 games of Josh Manson and Girard is a hell of a lot better than Manson.

Lotsa money for a goalie that can’t stay healthy

I gotta say, I don't think there is a massive contrast in value between the 2 and I could certainly see both sides feeling like their guys is worth more.

Glad to hear Byram is back playing, Id like to see him have a great career.

Cozens has much higher potential than Mittelstadt IMO (Krebs does too)
https://dobberprospects.com/team/buffalo-sabres/

absolutely, I'm talking between Tuch and Girard.

Tuch would maybe be a plan "B" return after Cozens.
I value Cozens more as we are in need of another middle 6C and his age and lower cap hit is better sync'd with the Avs payroll for the next 2 years

Yes Cozens is worth more but his value is higher than Girard IMO. Tuch is more on par with Girards value.

I dont think Cozens value is greater than Girards.
They are close in age, both under contract control.
Girard provides close offensive numbers to Cozens (without being on PP1 due to Makar), while still playing heavy D minutes

Girard is playing on a contending team, his numbers should be good to hold value. Tuch is proven and great cap and term, Cozens is in his 1st full season (last season was shortened) of NHL hockey and has been showing some great quality. I can't see Sabres or other teams in the NHL valuing Girard above Cozens Imo.