idk how much better the center depth actually is though. I think Domi might just be an easier target and he would make the Tkachuk line pretty good offensively

Mangiapane will get more, hamonic won’t get signed Brodie will, backlund is worth more than that and you could get a late pick for Ryan without retaining, flames wont sign a goalie for that much they will do another Talbot situation.

This team is a matchup nightmare. The third line is a bit weak since I had to move backlund but they will see much weaker opponents.

Like how about Pelletier and 2021 1st for Domi and Juulsen
Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Mangiapane - Domi - Tkachuk
Bennett - Backlund - Dube
Lucic - Ryan - Gawdin

Gio - top 4RD
Hanifin - Andersson
Valimaki - Kylington

Signing Brodie would be a mistake in my opinion. He had a good season this year, one of his defensively best seasons as well he will be looking for money and Hamonic will bounce back next year.

Domi is a better winger than centre. I don’t think that gets you domi either.

Sabres do that deal in a heartbeat

Buffalo declines. Trading cap will cost the team moving it in a flat cap world. I can't see trades that aren't even swaps happening (Contract for contract and similar cap hits). No team is going to willy nilly take 7 million in cap for a 2nd.

I agree to some extent but backlund could jump right in as a 2c something they desperately need. They are also short on RHW. These could certainly be two seperate trades where Ryan is moved separately but then I would look for more for backlund... I mean

Backlund's good. Very under rated league wide. Would be a perfect fit for Sabres. Ryan only has 1 year left so you're not taking on much, and he's consistent as well.

A Barzal offer sheet actually makes a lot of sense for the Flames if they can make the cap work. Team looks a lot better, but I wonder if they'd try to move Kylington for a RW

Sabres definitely make this trade. This addresses their biggest need a 2c that can bridge until Cozens is ready for that and then Backlund can slide nicely into 3C role. Ryan can play on the wing to support Cozens and ease him into the league can take some draws for him and if Cozens struggles you can move him to wing and allow Ryan to handle 3C. Even after this trade the Sabres still would have 26 million in cap to fill out the rest of their roster.

You really want to pay 5 million for a 3C in his 30s? Also, are we really going to say Buffalo's biggest need is a 2C? What happens to Mittelstadt? Does he just vanish? Cozens is similar to Dach, he's not going to get much time on the wing. They need to develop him as a C. Years of Buffalo adding veterans and getting nothing out of it should be telling. They need to stick with their youth. Johansson didn't work, Skinner had a horrible year. Colin Miller was terrible. Montour, Reinhart, Ullmark, Olofsson, Mittelstadt, Kahun need new contracts. Dahlin, McCabe will get substantial raises the following year. Suddenly that 5 million you're paying Backlund looks really important when the cap won't increase for two seasons.

Backlund has a full NTC and a young family, I don't think he'd waive to be honest.

Gaaaaawd would I love to get Barzal though.

That is very true, would be a hard sell.

Flames going nowhere while Lucic still on team.

This would be a tougher team to play against. The offense is better without sacrificing too much defense.

Pretty neatly thought out ACGM @Jamiepo

Forgot to respond to this. I disagree, Domi played a significant portion of the season on the wing this year. In Arizona he also mainly played wing. Last year Domi had his career year playing a majority of it at center.

Absolutely we will pay him that. Backlund will start at 2C until Cozens is ready for that role. Likely 1 -2 years then Backlund slides down to 3C for the last 2 years of his contract. Excellent defensive.center that is good for 50 points per year. Cozens starts at 3C not the wing and plays there until he is ready for 2C. Middlestadt is not cut out for center at the NHL level. He will take this year learning to play wing in the AHL and then if he appears ready we bring him up later in the year. McCabe is gone after this year we have two LD prospects on the verge right of the NHL right now that we will be looking to move into our lineup by the end of this year beginning of 21 -22. After we sign our RFA's we should have between 5 and 10 in cap space. After this year contracts coming off Hutton, McCabe, Johansson, Jokiharju, Dahlin, Borgen, Ryan that frees up over 15 million more in cap and can resign Dahlin, Borgen, and Jokiharju all for under 15 AAV leaving you between 5 and 10 million in cap to add to the team from outside the organization if they choose, but as long as players are progressing likely not necessary as there will only be a couple of holes to fill. Goalie 2 goes to UPL on ELC, McCabes LD spot goes to Bryson or Samuelsson on ELC, and 3 line winger goes to Middlestadt or Tage Thompson. If they do need to add elsewhere and are tight against the cap they can always buyout the last 2 years of Okposo at this point and free up about 2.5 in cap