Using Cap Space and becoming a legit Contender

Edit: nvm, too much here.

Maybe SJS accepts but I think the other 3 teams would hold out for better deals

I don't think it would just be looking for better deals, they'd probably just not entertain trades for those returns.

There's no way I see Meier becoming a Sabre by the trade deadline; however, if the Sharks don't trade him by then and he's available at the draft, maybe Buffalo revisits it because they'd possibly be more willing to tinker with the forward group than they seem now. The trick is the timing - Meier would need to be qualified before July 1st in order for SJ to retain his rights, which means he'd get locked into the $10M QO that no one - including the Sabres - would want to take on. And the Sabres can't extend Dahlin or Power until July 1st, when their contracts enter the final year of each's term. I'd bet my house that Adams will want to have both of his core defensemen locked in and know what their cap hits are before he'd consider committing $9M+ to Meier for long-term.

As for the Chicago deal, it's pretty unlikely that McCabe or the Sabres would want a reunion: McCabe was loyal to Eichel and left the Sabres on his own choice and probably wouldn't accept a 3rd pairing role that the Sabres would be looking to upgrade.

The Dvorak trade is pointless - it blocks Krebs from elevating to the 3C spot next season; dumps Johnson right after he's signed (per your forecast) and also deals the highly-effective, younger and cheaper Jost in the process. Assuming you're a Sabres fan, that Montreal trade doesn't improve Buffalo IMO.

Like i said….
As long as these trades are in the ballpark, we have plenty more assets to put the deal over the top