The Sabres are not trading Jeff Skinner

IMO you did a very good job. Let me give you my take on the trades:
Hutton > Smith so let's take that 3rd to balance the trade
Skinner = Dubé, Dillon + Välimäki, Juuso + 2020 2nd round pick (CGY) (I could be in error but a player on track for 50 goals would bring back an "A" prospect (Välimäki), a "B" prospect (Dubé) and a pick (2nd) I do not think the 1st needs to be added to balance the trade.

Beaulieu for a third seems to be about correct.

Okposo => Lucic
Nulander < Puljujärvi, I cannot see Gretzky adding a 1st to this trade. On the other hand if Okposo is on permanent IR due to 3 concussions in 2 years, maybe the Sabres could get a 1st in return

I don't hate the EDM trade. Lucic and Okposo have the same contract and age. Ox might be marginally better but we upgrade on a prospect and get some picks. This year's draft is all in the same tier from pick 20-50 so that second and third even might be as good as a first.

I'd rather just take a punt on Puljujarvi straight up for Nylander but whatever.

As for your questions we really need centers in our prospect line, our D is pretty good with Guhle, Borgen, Laaksonen, Samuelsson and Cronholm. A RHD we could still use but centers and a winger or two would help the most. Also our LHD is solid with Dahlin, Pilut, and McCabe. Those three should have that on lock-down for years.

I generally agree with your comments, the Sabres need centers, I agree the the LHD look solid, Lucic v Okposo are nearly the same, while it is unlikely Skinner will get traded drop the 1st in the trade makes the exchange more equal. Finally, Välimäki is better than any Defensive prospects we have and he is right handed. I like the trades for the reasons I expressed above.

BUF back into rebuild mode again...what a disaster of an organization. Not as bad as OTT mind you.

I figured BUFs primary goal looking at their Depth charts were projected Middle 6 scoring winger & Middle 6 Centers with maybe a 4-5 RHD. The 1st round pick was in payment for the Lucic contract because if Okoposo is finished Oilers can just throw in on LTIR for the cap space.

Actually, it is trying to rise out of the ashes from the 3 years under Murray. I love reading posts of Edmonton fans crying about Chiarelli, IMO Murray was worse. At least Edmonton got into the playoffs, all Murray did was take a last place team with a great future and turn it into a last place team with out a future.

I should add, I have seen past your comments and you typically add excellent observations.