Gotta be a 2nd for Tatar or another actual player. Otherwise I don't hate this idea

Yeah, I was feeling a 2nd as well but wanted to just get a feel for this idea in general. I'd be fine flipping him for some defensive depth. I just feel like when Kovalenko gets here he becomes unnecessary.

Why sell at the deadline at all? I would much rather keep him for depth and hope he can contribute in the playoffs than make the team worse just to get a mid round pick that will likely have no impact on the future of the team

Improving cup odds during their window >>>>>>>>> mid round picks

Yup, this is totally reasonable as well. You want depth going into the playoffs and he certainly provides it. And we def suck at drafting. My brain is just trying to figure out how to keep our window going for longer and I can't get around wanting to get some future assets now so we don't have to tank down the road.

Him or Drouin. Somebody. Or maybe just for extra depth we bury Drouin until we need him? Or we could bury part of Tatar's contract until the playoffs and have him as a healthy scratch? Just spitting ideas here

If you wanna trade for assets.

Trade drouin macdermid toews(only because he ain't resigning) meyers

If you’re looking for a 2nd, it’s extremely unlikely to be from Buffalo
Forward depth is our strength

We have a few guys who will be up & down from the AHL all year, and Quinn comes back from injury mid season

And while Tatar is certainly a useful player, i can’t see us having more than “casual” interest in a winger at the deadline
And casual interest doesn’t lead our GM to giving up a 2nd

I admit to wondering what the play is with Tatar, that maybe he is depth for now and trade bait at the deadline. But I think his value and potential TDL interest is so hard to judge given that he ghosts the playoffs. A lot of teams had a shot at him in FA and didn't take it.