Keep dreaming with the NJD trade

All three of those trades heavily favor the Sabres, but the worst is that Raanta trade.
Raanta is a fine rental for anyone looking at an injury or wanting an upgrade/depth as the playoffs approach. Hutton is a severly overpaid, subpar backup and Pilut signed a multi-season deal in the KHL so who knows if he every comes back to North America. So for Raanta Arizona gets a 3rd round pick, a KHL player, and has to take back salary for a player that only improves your chance of winning the draft lottery.

The trade values for Risto and Apslund are not very high...certainly would not return Severson. Subban would be more fitting in that scenario.

I was gonna say, I’m a Sabres fan and I strongly disagree with the value in the posted traded.

The guy would be a massive upgrade over both Hutton and Ullmark. Ullmark is average at best.

Raanta is 88-60-18 with a .921 spct for his career. He’s gonna command more than a cap dump and a third round pick

Matt Murray got a second and a prospect, and granted yes, he has a Stanley cup and experience which plays more into that return than his actual play

Honestly, Severson doesn’t really have astronomical value either. Both guys probably return second rounders and Prospects

Ristolainen and Severson are basically the same guy for both franchises, only difference is Ristolainen is far more physical. Both players frustrate fans, and here we are adding to get him. It really is a trade that makes sense for either side.

It makes no sense to NJD. Severson is far better overall player and can actually play defense. Risto is a liability in neutral zone and his own end. Severson is far better in breaking out of their own zone. NJD doesn't need offensive d-men.

Severson is not a “far better” overall player than Ristolainen. Just like Ristolainen, he has been more offensive minded and has had struggles and lapses defensively just like Ristolainen. And this year he made strides defensively just like Ristolainen, The only other difference is Severson is likely better suited to be plying with a defensive defenseman where Ristolainen is better suited playing with a puck moving defenseman at even strength which is why he does so well with Montour. Ristolainen is also one of the better PP defenseman in the league. This whole idea that Ristolainen is an AHL defenseman with 7th round value needs to stop.

Both players are far from a Norris Trophy candidate and neither guy Likely will return a first Unless the market favors a need for RHD which it doesn’t

Ristolainen is not a good defenseman. And is not really a player to compare with Severson.
Unfortunately for Sabres, his expected goals above replacement value is quite bad and declining...and he is on a pretty big contract.
Which is why I said the better swap would be Subban in the deal above.
NJD would take the step down in d-man for lesser salary and pick (and prospect, if Asplund is still called a prospect).