Makes sense for both teams.

Value wise, yes, it makes sense for both teams. However, Bear can be utilized on the top pairing, but can Mittelstadt be utilized on the top line? I don’t think Mittelstadt can be utilized on the the top line. Bear started out on the top pairing with Slavin, and then DeAngelo was placed with Slavin, with DeAngelo excelling. When DeAngelo was injured, the first person to be put on the top pair was Bear. Mittelstadt I think has only been utilized in the bottom 6 over the course of his career, and there are cheaper and better options elsewhere. I do think Carolina declines though, as they have enough C in the pipeline, and Drury is likely to get the first crack at the lineup before Mittelstadt, so Mittelstadt would have to learn to play the wing.

Another reason I think Carolina declines, there could potentially be a bidding war in the off-season for Bear. If there is, they could end up getting more than what is on offer here. I’m not sayi be Mittelstadt is bad or anything, but I don’t think he would really fit in Carolina’s system, and I think Bear could return more.

Bear is expendable in my eyes, especially with the emergence of Chatfield. I would not be surprised if Chatfield ends up with Bear’s spot next year. It depends on how much teams end up offering.

I think Sabres rather keep Mitts and look for a solution at RHD elsewhere.

You can’t compare if a forward can play top line and a defenseman playing top pairing

Mete with MTL played on the 1st pair with Weber
Ended up on waivers

Alzner played on the 1st pair in WSH with Carlsson
Ended up being buyout

You need to compare their play, salary, age, etc. The trade is fair and make sense

Yeah I get that. Value wise, it makes sense. Position wise, for Carolina, it doesn’t make sense. I would just rather not have a Carolina version of a Hall/Larsson trade, ya know.

I wouldn't hate this for buffalo.

I get that, but you could use Kotkaniemi on the 2nd line
Mittelstadt on the 3LW with Staal mentoring him

When Staal is gone, having a Aho-Kotkaniemi-Mittelstadt-Drury/Suzuki Center line is pretty good

Pass. Both players are entering their prime... that means totally different things for Mitts and Bear. Mitts has been finally gaining traction offensively, and looks like a 40-50 point guy if he can stay healthy. He is our 3rd line center right now, giving our team offensive depth for the first time in 12+ years. Bear has not impressed me in any aspect of his game. His prime looks to shape up as a 2nd pair guy at best who might (and that's a big might) put up 30 points in a season. Sabres have always struggled to score, we need the offensive player more than the worse player in a position of need. Better UFA options this year to help the right-side, or I'm sure a better option than Bear could be had for a trade

Buffalo pass, Mitts got back in shape after injury and looks great, lately he has been playing at PPG pace.

Never forget.
https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/look-top-nhl-prospect-casey-mittelstadt-cant-do-a-single-pull-up/

Except for the fact the sabres have 40 mil, and it makes no senses for them to give up on Mittelstadt when they can sign an UFA RHD

OK, this is about the 4th time I've seen Ethan Bear presented as a top pair D-man - I've seen the YT doc and he seems like a great guy but when I look at his advance stats he looks like a 5th-7th d-man, OK I haven't watched him for more than a minute - so someone explain to me why he's worth a fuss for example why is he better than Bryson

Yeah really like this idea for both teams. As much as Mittelstadt has shown promise as a middle 6 center the last two seasons, he’s pretty bad in his own zone. The Sabres have a ton of offensive firepower coming that all have defensive warts (Krebs, Quinn, Peterka) so that leads me to believe CM is the odd man out.

Value makes sense, cap makes sense. Make it happen