Pittsburgh needs to get younger everywhere in their lineup. Joki is a good bottom pair piece that adds youth and reliable play to an aging team.

He seems to have fallen out of favor in Buffalo being a healthy scratch many times. A change of scenery serves his career better. O'Connor is a young, 4th line piece with size, improved scoring touch and physicality. A blue-collar worker fit perfectly for Buffalo.

The Hawks enter year 2 of their rebuild, getting Mittlestadt gives then a true number 2 center for the next 6-8 years, entering his prime. Rosen provides much need speed and skill that will be NHL ready in 2024. The Hawks will need to pay for Mittlestadt and Rosen, but it is a worthy.

Mittlestadt may have played his way out of an affordable contract for Buffalo. He has confirmed the team has not approached him about a deal. He has developed into a true 2nd line center and a player Buffalo should want to keep. Because he is an RFA, the Sabres can ask for a lot and will get so in return. The Sabres have too many players in the Rosen mold and Chicago needs an influx of talent. Sabres get another big right handed defenseman that is 2-3 years away and a sizeable, yet flashy forward in Graves that is 2-3 years away. Sabres restock the draft cupboard a bit, which never hurts a team struggling to break through and may need to shift directions.