Sabres could do something in that neighborhood
I expect we will trade Olofsson, & i could see us willing to hold half to get better value

No way Sabres pay retention to Olofsson, pay the dude they dont need, and get 6 and 7 for their trouble.

Disagree
I think we would retain on him bc we won’t be able to get rid of him otherwise
And getting rid of him means we pay less, even if it’s only half

It also gets us a better pick,
& it will absolutely be better than a 6th or 7th

So like, retention but not for this particular offer from NYI. Got it, and agree.

This looks like a major overpayment for Reichel but I still think Chicago declines. He's been asked this season to play a different brand of hockey than he's familiar with. He has the offseason to put things together and we'll see what next season brings. His upside is too promising to move on from so soon.

Cal would be perfect on the Sabres 4th line.
It is difficult to imagine that the Islanders would make this trade.
Olofsson is younger and would score more with a good center than Cal.
Go with the retention and make the deal.