if you cant beat em make an ACGM for Timo Meier

I think that meets Chicago's reported asking price for McCabe with no retention so I can’t realistically say we reject the offer but I would probably prefer to retain half and get a first from somewhere.

If Tampa is a trading partner, I'd rather target Haydn Fleury - although he's 2 years old, he has comparable size to Foote (6'-3", 208 vs. 6'-4", 227) but is a much better skater (important in Granato's system), with more experience and ability to play a two-way game with some shutdown ability. His cap hit is also negligible at $762K for this and next season. While Foote as a RHD may have some appeal (especially if Ryan Johnson is signed on LHD and the Sabres potentially look at that duo for a 3rd pairing in the future), Fleury being left-handed as a replacement of Bryson with Lyubushkin also works for the present.

Bryson is an interesting option for Tampa. He is cost controlled for next year as well, and a RFA at the end of his contract. Can he play the right side or is he more comfortable on his right? dont know if Buffalo would be willing to take someone like Namestnikov back to make the cap work

I can't see retention being the difference in getting a first with McCabe.

Not with the Sabers more than likely but other teams absolutely.