im ok with this

you have 4 LHD, and MTL has 5 RHD (including two good prospect), Maybe something could be worked out? And we have the cap space.

Mcdo +callahan for Petry + something

Or
Sergatchev for Brooks/Juulsen

something to look at!

gimme that all day. Throw in JT Miller and we'll give you Risto if you want him.

The need for RHD vs LHD is not so severe that TB would make either of those trades just to switch handedness

it would free a lot of cap as well, Petry is a 40 pts player with a 4.5M contract, So you get a top 4 RHD, for a top 4 LHD + a cap dump.

I liked Gourde the first time I saw him play in Buffalo. Of course Buffalo would take this trade, one year of Callahan for 6 years of Gourde at a very nice contract. Buffalo would need to add, I do not know how much. The 3rd would be almost the same as TBL 2nd so let's add Nelson and I think it would be fair. But that is just my opinion.
I have given more thought to the rumors about Buffalo and Tampa regarding a RHD. I wonder if Bogosian was involved as well as Ristolainen. I think BriseBois would have had as much interest with Bogosian for one year instead of Ristolainen for 3. Bogosian 50% retention, 2020 STL 2nd for Gourde and Callahan. Buffalo gets a winger for 6 years for a 2nd and a RHD who does not fit into their future. TBL gets over $3,000,000 cap relief and a RHD for the 2019 Stanley cup. If a deal as this was on the table, I wish it was closed. I could see BriseBois backing out before Betterall.

Next year defense will be

Hedman – Segachev
McDonah – Cernak
Maybe Coburn Foote or Rutta

Coburn having a very solid year, Foote maybe ready, Rutta has looked good so far. We need to fill 6 or 7 defense positions

timmeejr What is your opinion of Risto. I have read mixed reviews.

Gourde will have a full NTC; I think it would have to be Miller in that deal.

I used to love him, thought Housley would fix him. However the more I watch some actually competent defencemen, I realize he's a decent 2nd pair guy. He can put up points, and when he plays agressive he can be dominant. But the 10 games between each dominant game, he looks like a 3rd par guy at best. He will often chase the body to make a hit instead of go for the play.

He would be fine with a solid defensive defensman as a partner. He can also run a PP2.

We need to free more cap space to pay point about 9 million

Thanks, we have three solid defensemen that can run the power play so I don't see him fitting.

The reason I bring it up is on deadline day there was talk of a Risto to TB trade. Which I assume will come up more in the offseason. I don't think he starts next year on our roster.

Considering your recap, third pairing most games, dominant on occasion, needs strong defensive partner, what would be a fair trade?

Depends, I know JBB is a smart GM, so no idea why he'd trade for Risto, but I expect most teams to value him as #2C value or 2nd best winger on a team. The old hockey guys who still vaule hitting and grit see much more in him valuewise.

It has been proposed in a few trades that Risto + pick for Callahan(cap dump) + Miller or Gourde(Miller more likely due to age and NTC/NMC clauses) + round or 2 better pick than sabres send.
Possibility that Cernak/Foote come to buffalo and that the TB pick is worse then the buffalo one then.

So Risto + 3rd for Callahan, Miller+2nd
or
Risto + 3rd for Callahan, Miller, Foote + 5th