Seeing that gust is about the only trade piece that most likely gets moved, what teams in the playoff hunt need a mobil offensive pp quarterback defenseman? Plus i still would trade one of the goalies to a team that needs goaltending help. What return for gust could we expect, sarcasm aside.

That's how Detroit did it before the hawks. But I think it would be quicker and easier being competetive to have an elite goalie than stacking a team like the hawks were back then. This years team seems to suggest that.
- 6628

Can't keep a stacked team it was kept together one year.

What do you guys want for Strome, and does Mitts do anything for you

Shalunov did come over in 2013/14. He started in Rockford and earned a demotion to Toledo (ECHL) and played the rest of the 2013/14 season down there. Then he decided to go back to mother Russia and we've been hearing about how he wants to give the NHL another shot ever since. I'll believe it when I see it.
- EbonyRaptor

You're right, ER. Totally forgot about Shalunov's stint in minor pro 6 years ago. I could be wrong but thought he also had a more recent opportunity to come over again but did not.

Either way, I'm with you, though. I'll believe it when I see it. The same goes for Kayumov. Altybarmakyan is the only one who I'm more confident of not only cossing over but also making an impact.

What do you guys want for Strome, and does Mitts do anything for you
- Buff36

Although I'd be interested in Mittelstadt, not sure I give up Strome for him. Strome broke out in his 1st full season and is having a fairly strong 2nd year admidst injury hovering around 0.75 PPG both times.

Mittelstadt is in his 2nd full season as well but is significantly less than even 0.50 PPG. Do you think he will just be a late bloomer or end up being less than a top 6 center? Guessing on the former but would rather trade other assets to Buffalo for him instead of Strome.

Although I'd be interested in Mittelstadt, not sure I give up Strome for him. Strome broke out in his 1st full season and is having a fairly strong 2nd year admidst injury hovering around 0.75 PPG both times.

Mittelstadt is in his 2nd full season as well but is significantly less than even 0.50 PPG. Do you think he will just be a late bloomer or end up being less than a top 6 center? Guessing on the former but would rather trade other assets to Buffalo for him instead of Strome.
- AEL_Fox

Mitts is only 20, should have been sent down earlier. But seems to be getting his confidence back down in Rochester, has been playing pretty good the last 15 games. What would you be thinking by other assets.

Just asking:

Since this is the third time Boqvist has injured his shoulder this season - minor injuries or not - should they consider shutting him down for the rest of the season - and spend the time strengthening it?

He’s 19 - still growing into his body - no reason to take much of a chance of chronic injury (see: deHaan).
- StLBravesFan

Unless Boqvist is suffering dislocations, no.

I think “giving up on him” is the wrong way of looking at it.

IMO he’s still held in high regard across the league and if packaged with Strome the return on a potential trade, if it’s the right trade, could legitimately improve our overall roster. So to me it’s all about taking advantage of his current value and cashing in to improve our team. Not at all about giving up on him.

I could go even further and toss in Gus and Crawford too, or in separate deals. Those 4 players could net us a massive haul and improve the team moving forward.
- SimpleJack

Critical distinctions pave the way, here. Fun and informative post.

Although I'd be interested in Mittelstadt, not sure I give up Strome for him. Strome broke out in his 1st full season and is having a fairly strong 2nd year admidst injury hovering around 0.75 PPG both times.

Mittelstadt is in his 2nd full season as well but is significantly less than even 0.50 PPG. Do you think he will just be a late bloomer or end up being less than a top 6 center? Guessing on the former but would rather trade other assets to Buffalo for him instead of Strome.
- AEL_Fox

Buffalo doesn't have other assets to give up. Their d is just a bunch of guys. None of which moves the needle for me. Their forward group as a whole is a complete collection of garbage except for 3-4 guys. Draft picks is all I would want and they really shouldn't be moving any of those.

Crawford starts tonight. Highmore in for Nylander and Seeler in for Boqvist. It sounds like Boqvist could have played, the Hawks are just being cautious with him.

Did someone actually mention Shalunov? We must be getting close to the end of the season. He isn't even that good in the KHL. What the hell is he going to bring that the Hawks don't have in their system?

Crawford starts tonight. Highmore in for Nylander and Seeler in for Boqvist. It sounds like Boqvist could have played, the Hawks are just being cautious with him.
- DarthKane

Yay. We get to see moar Smith.

Although I'd be interested in Mittelstadt, not sure I give up Strome for him. Strome broke out in his 1st full season and is having a fairly strong 2nd year admidst injury hovering around 0.75 PPG both times.

Mittelstadt is in his 2nd full season as well but is significantly less than even 0.50 PPG. Do you think he will just be a late bloomer or end up being less than a top 6 center? Guessing on the former but would rather trade other assets to Buffalo for him instead of Strome.
- AEL_Fox

Mitts is a bust. Huge pass on him.

Wouldn’t expect anything else.
- Angotti

Me neither, but I don't think this is an optimal time to be facing the Jets. Hope to be proven wrong. It's happened a lot, before. Ha!

Mitts is a bust. Huge pass on him.
- Elbows15

Kinda hard to say that with a kid who just turned 20

Kinda hard to say that with a kid who just turned 20
- Buff36

And regressed. Hard.

Yay. We get to see moar Smith.
- Elbows15

We’re gonna see Smith until the cows come home.

I know (to paraphrase Groucho) - you’d rather see the cows until Smith comes home....

Just asking:

Since this is the third time Boqvist has injured his shoulder this season - minor injuries or not - should they consider shutting him down for the rest of the season - and spend the time strengthening it?

He’s 19 - still growing into his body - no reason to take much of a chance of chronic injury (see: deHaan).
- StLBravesFan

A little preventive medicine? Not a bad idea at all to consider.

We’re gonna see Smith until the cows come home.

I know (to paraphrase Groucho) - you’d rather see the cows until Smith comes home....
- StLBravesFan

That is exactly why Bowman needs to take him away from JC. Trade him. Waive him. He can't bring that bum back next season.

What do you guys want for Strome, and does Mitts do anything for you
- Buff36

Who is Mitts? Lol

A little preventive medicine? Not a bad idea at all to consider.
- gabriel

It can't be that serious if the kid was ready to play tonight. He needs to play in these somewhat important games.

Who is Mitts? Lol
- Assman22

casey mittelstadt.

Mitts is only 20, should have been sent down earlier. But seems to be getting his confidence back down in Rochester, has been playing pretty good the last 15 games. What would you be thinking by other assets.
- Buff36

Good question. Depends on what exactly Buffalo needs. IIRC, the Sabres were seeking a forward earlier in the season. Has that need changed?

Also assume the Sabres want a plug-n-play player, not a prospect who needs more time developing in the minors otherwise just be patient with Mittelstadt. I still think he will be a top 6 talent in due time.

You all have some great top 6 forwards now (Eichel, Reinhart, Olofsson) and in the pipeline (Mittelstadt, Thompson, Cozens).

My question again is we are going to sign Lehner to be are number 1 goalie why is Crawford starting a big game like this? Is it to showcase him? I do not get it if you want Lehner let him be the starter.

Good question. Depends on what exactly Buffalo needs. IIRC, the Sabres were seeking a forward earlier in the season. Has that need changed?

Also assume the Sabres want a plug-n-play player, not a prospect who needs more time developing in the minors otherwise just be patient with Mittelstadt. I still think he will be a top 6 talent in due time.

You all have some great top 6 forwards now (Eichel, Reinhart, Olofsson) and in the pipeline (Mittelstadt, Thompson, Cozens).
- AEL_Fox

We could use a 2C and a RW