As a Sabres fan, I'd take both deals. I would then retain 50% on Smith and move him for a 1st + prospect, maybe by taking equal cap back... and then I'd do the same with Dadonov at the 2023 deadline.

I think the Rangers use him for a playoff run. Adds serious skill to that 2nd line.

As for Dadanov and the Devils, yes, I would eat 50% and move for an additional pick (at $2.5 million Inthink teams would take that flyer). Worst case, he is bought out.

But, speaking to your Sabres, somewhere in one of my many ACGMs, I had an Eichel deal that was Krebs, Tuch and Smith (and a 1st) for Eichel and Asplund, with that very thought process - flip Smith for a 1st (he would get it with retention). Most Sabres fans felt Asplund was too much to give up, and maybe he would have been....... but, the premise was there.

Ranger trade seems fair since Gallant knows and likes Smith. It's hard to say the Buchnevich deal hasn't worked out for the Rangers since they are off to one of their best starts in their history. On the surface it appears they did not get enough value for Buch, but Blais is a good fit, we don't know yet what they will get with the pick, and they seem to be a better all around balanced team. I am a fan of Buch, but winning matters, and without him, they are winning more than with him.

Just bc theyre winning now doesn't mean the trade was good for them. There's also way more that goes into why the Rangers are now good and its not bc they lost Buch. Their new coach and elite goaltending are the 2 main reasons. If the trade was good then they wouldn't be in the market for a RW rn while Buchnevich is on pace for his best season yet.

This is very reasonable. some medium size ticket guy are going to have to go for picks and at a discount.