As a CGY fan, I'd do it... even without the picks, it's a pretty decent hockey trade. Both Dube and Valimaki need fresh starts. IMO, Dube's absense leaves room for Pelletier to slot in the third line LW with Backlund and Coleman.

Why would Buffalo do that? Theres not a single thing CGY is sending back that Buffalo needs. Valimaki would get less ice time in Buffalo

You're right. Calgary would probably need to also send an high tier prospect over, Pelletier or similar, which I don't see them doing.

I'd keep olofsson 10 times out of 10. We don't need depth wingers or left d, like at all. Olofsson played through an injury last year, and he produced absolutely nothing while hurt. If you look at his "not hurt" games, he was on a 35 goal pace. That's who he is, he's a great shooter, and his 5v5 game improved last year. The only piece of interest would be the second round pick, but alone it's not near enough for me. There are plenty of Sabres fans who would drive him to Calgary for the second round pick. I don't know why, I guess maybe you can have too many guys who can score.

Olofsson highly unlikely to be traded until perhaps next TDL when he will be on an expiring contract. The ask would be a 1st no question

I'd take this deal if I was Kevyn Adams. Sabres have replacements for Victor already in Quinn and Rosen. Dube just needs top 6 minutes for half a season to show he is a 2nd line + player. Keep Valimaki to replace Joker when Joker wants 3.5 per year on his next deal. In 2-3 years when Sabres will be pushing for a Playoff spot, Dube will have much more value than Victor. Has anyone ever seen Victor win a battle along the boards? He does not have a playoff type skillset. I think Dube does. The two picks included in the deal make it even more of a winner for Buffalo. Soft Swedes gravitate to BC.

Let me begin, I really like Olofsson.
Last year after Olofsson's wrist healed, over his final 34 games he had 15 goals, plus 13 assists or 36 goals and 68 pts over an 82 game season.



Let's try to list all of the plus and minuses:
Centers have a little more value than LW.
Over the past 2 years Olofsson has 4 more goals than Dube.
Dube plays 0:48/gm PK, Olofsson 0:01/gm PK.
Dube has 5.1 hit/60 Olofsson 0.5 hit/60
In two years Olofsson, 27 yo is UFA, Dube, 24 yo is RFA.
Välimäki is a 23 LHD who has played 82 NHL with 3 goals and 16 pts.
Buffalo has 4 NHL LHD and at least one near ready LHD prospect.
The 2023 second and 22024 3rd would most likely be very very late picks nearly a third and fourth.

Let's agree to disagree that Karmanos would certainly consider this trade.
If Jason thought Välimäki was better than Bryson, he would most likely say yes.
If Pelletier replaced Välimäki, Jason would absolutely say yes.
While they are late picks, they tilt the trade in favor of the Sabres.

Thanks for you comment, always nice to have a pleasant conversation.
Let me begin, I really like Olofsson.
Last year after Olofsson's wrist healed, over his final 34 games he had 15 goals, plus 13 assists or 36 goals and 68 pts over an 82 game season.

First, the trade is not Dube for Olofsson, Calgary is adding.
Second, Olofsson started in the NHL the age that Dube is right now, so to compare life time stats seems a bit disingenuous, that is why I only compared their last two seasons.
Third, when did I mention FO's?
Fourth, hitting is often used to determine how hard a player will work along the boards to win puck battles, out hitting a player by a factor of 10 is quite significant..
Fifth, you are correct, Buffalo has up to five NHL defensemen but if it possible to upgrade at that position, one would have to consider that part of the trade as a positive.
Sixth, In two years Buffalo would still have control over Dube but not Olofsson.
Seventh, which I did not mention Dube's AVV is half of Olofsson.
Eighth, I only said Jason would make the trade if Välimäki would make the team along with a second and third.
Finally, LHD are not a dime a dozen, Travis Dermott (TML 9th defenseman last year) was traded for a third last TDL.