I think he can be Kevin Hayes (points-wise) who landed a 7x7 deal, and I suspect he and his agent would like that opportunity as well.

He needs another shot at C
- Hank Balling

Hayes is also 6'5 - 220, and has multiple seasons at a 50% faceoff clip.

Those things matter too.

Hayes is also 6'5 - 220, and has multiple seasons at a 50% faceoff clip.

Those things matter too.
- kingcong39

He's a career 46.5% versus Mittelstadt at 45%

If I'm Mittelstadt’s agent, I want more reps at C to get him some real money. And if I'm another team, I think he can get me 55 points at 2C.

It's a win-win. Get the top-4 d man in exchange

Mitts is a lock to be here next year. After that who knows. But the needs a fresh start, trade him just to trade him narrative went away a while ago.

Now that Olofsson has sat, Mitts is the only guy who hasn’t that isn’t named Tuch/Thompson/Skinner/Cozens/Girgensons/Okposo.

They value him and he’s turned a corner
- sbroads24

If you want to upgrade your D, and you won't move prospects, he's their best chip.

If they see him as 3LW, he's expendable.

If you want to upgrade your D, and you won't move prospects, he's their best chip.

If they see him as 3LW, he's expendable.
- Lunaion

He's a career 46.5% versus Mittelstadt at 45%

If I'm Mittelstadt’s agent, I want more reps at C to get him some real money. And if I'm another team, I think he can get me 55 points at 2C.

It's a win-win. Get the top-4 d man in exchange
- Hank Balling

24 has been beating the faceoffs don't matter drum.

Few years later, doesn't seem like the team with more faceoffs wins... wins that much more...

Is there any correlation or way to compare faceoff wins and winning the games?

Key faceoffs matter

If you want to upgrade your D, and you won't move prospects, he's their best chip.

If they see him as 3LW, he's expendable.
- Lunaion

I disagree. The 2023 first is the expendable chip. Or Rosen.

If they trade Mitts and then insert two rookie forwards they’re asking to be a 1-2 line team next year

24 has been beating the faceoffs don't matter drum.

Few years later, doesn't seem like the team with more faceoffs wins... wins that much more...

Is there any correlation or way to compare faceoff wins and winning the games?

Key faceoffs matter
- Boss34

I agree wholeheartedly that there's no real analytic basis for my opinion that faceoffs matter. I still want a Gaustad/Lazar defensive forward taking the draw when the Sabres are winning 3-2 with :32 left

It's an opinion based entirely on opinion rather than fact.

It's the unpopular opinion hill upon which I will die.

I agree wholeheartedly and there's no real analytic basis for my opinion that faceoffs matter. I still want a Gaustad/Lazar defensive forward taking the draw when the Sabres are winning 3-2 with :32 left

It's an opinion based entirely on opinion rather than fact.

It's the unpopular opinion hill upon which I will die.
- Hank Balling

Blasphemy

He's a career 46.5% versus Mittelstadt at 45%

If I'm Mittelstadt’s agent, I want more reps at C to get him some real money. And if I'm another team, I think he can get me 55 points at 2C.

It's a win-win. Get the top-4 d man in exchange
- Hank Balling

Huge contract year for him and he should be looking for a better opportunity than 3LW + 2nd PP. He's getting pushed down further and further here. If we notice, can be sure his agent has as well.

Huge contract year for him and he should be looking for a better opportunity than 3LW + 2nd PP. He's getting pushed down further and further here. If we notice, can be sure his agent has as well.
- Lunaion

He’s 5th among forwards in ice time per game.

They value him a lot more than you are giving credit for.

He’s 5th among forwards in ice time per game.

They value him a lot more than you are giving credit for.
- sbroads24

Possible, but you might be over-stating it too.

I agree wholeheartedly that there's no real analytic basis for my opinion that faceoffs matter. I still want a Gaustad/Lazar defensive forward taking the draw when the Sabres are winning 3-2 with :32 left

It's an opinion based entirely on opinion rather than fact.

It's the unpopular opinion hill upon which I will die.
- Hank Balling

Common sense, I absolutely agree that face offs matter.
Possession ect.

But, lately some of the road broadcasts show the faceoffs.

Just curious.

He’s 5th among forwards in ice time per game.

They value him a lot more than you are giving credit for.
- sbroads24

I like Mitts, and have liked him more than most, but if he is the piece that gets a Joker upgrade, I'm taking that shot, and I think other GMs have seen that value as well

Possible, but you might be over-stating it too.
- Lunaion

He’s firmly been deployed as a top 6 forward and has been on the PP the entire year.

I think this is just boiling down to you not liking him so you want him traded. Because early in the year he was apparently a liability therefore they needed to get rid of him. Now he’s too good to be a 3rd liner therefore he and his agent will want the trade? You’re just finding any reason now.

Which is fine, I’m finding reasons for him to stay.

Think we all have seen that Olofsson is a line destroyer. As soon as Mitts was given a little life on the 1st line his game took off. He can obviously play with other talented players. With who the Sabres have coming If Mitts can't play C his time here will probably come to a end sooner than later.

I like Mitts, and have liked him more than most, but if he is the piece that gets a Joker upgrade, I'm taking that shot, and I think other GMs have seen that value as well
- Hank Balling

I’ve said all along if that’s the scenario, that’s fine.

What bothers me is when a team spends 5 years developing a guy, playing him in different roles, and after finally finding a fit and a role, just simply trading him.

Common sense, I absolutely agree that face offs matter.
Possession ect.

But, lately some of the road broadcasts show the faceoffs.

Just curious.
- Boss34

Just get one guy who is good at that. That's why - and I don't expect you'd agree - I'd move off Girgensons and Okposo to make room for Kulich and a FO guy, keep Jost and Greenway, and move Mitts and Olo for a top-4 D.

Huge contract year for him and he should be looking for a better opportunity than 3LW + 2nd PP. He's getting pushed down further and further here. If we notice, can be sure his agent has as well.
- Lunaion

Mitts seems like a sabres lifer to me..... very vibey

Is it fair to project mitts into a 55 -60 point 3rd line winger? Maybe 4-4.5 for 4 more years?

Could donnie's offense first system raise the value on guys like mitts?

Maybe a couple other guys too.

Seems like everyone looks good offensively except greenway.

I’ve said all along if that’s the scenario, that’s fine.

What bothers me is when a team spends 5 years developing a guy, playing him in different roles, and after finally finding a fit and a role, just simply trading him.
- sbroads24

If it helps him to achieve his potential, and it helps the Sabres to land a much-needed top-4 dman, that's a win/win in my book

Mitts went from a bad problem to a good problem.

Before he was killing us, now it’s what do you do with a depth player one year away from a new contract ?

Mitts is good depth, but he certainly isn’t a guy they can’t move in a trade for an upgrade either

Just get one guy who is good at that. That's why - and I don't expect you'd agree - I'd move off Girgensons and Okposo to make room for Kulich and a FO guy, keep Jost and Greenway, and move Mitts and Olo for a top-4 D.
- Hank Balling

In this scenario, they’d absolutely need to add an established top 9 forward too.

They can’t basically gut line 4, and their 6/7 forwards and just count on a rookie

Mitts went from a bad problem to a good problem.

Before he was killing us, now it’s what do you do with a depth player one year away from a new contract ?

Mitts is good depth, but he certainly isn’t a guy they can’t move in a trade for an upgrade either
- Swedish_Jesus

The thing is the Sabres haven’t viewed him as a “depth player” this season.

Just get one guy who is good at that. That's why - and I don't expect you'd agree - I'd move off Girgensons and Okposo to make room for Kulich and a FO guy, keep Jost and Greenway, and move Mitts and Olo for a top-4 D.
- Hank Balling

Absolutely agree, the leadership could use a tune up.

Mainly someone who's actually played in the playoffs and won big games.

Little known fact : Alex tuch has played in 66 nhl playoff games.

That was the center of the trade, young veteran experienced nhl player and leader.

Tuch could be a new favorite for me. His speed and size is very unique live in person....

In this scenario, they’d absolutely need to add an established top 9 forward too.

They can’t basically gut line 4, and their 6/7 forwards and just count on a rookie
- sbroads24

That - to me - opens a totally different can of worms about whether this ownership group is willing to invest in this core with another piece.

I agree with you, I just think they'd rather deal cheap labor from a position of strength (forward) to address a position of weakness (defense).

Again, my own personal opinion: I think this will be a budget team for the foreseeable future

That - to me - opens a totally different can of worms about whether this ownership group is willing to invest in this core with another piece.

I agree with you, I just think they'd rather deal cheap labor from a position of strength (forward) to address a position of weakness (defense).

Again, my own personal opinion: I think this will be a budget team for the foreseeable future
- Hank Balling

Well they’d have to anyways if they’re moving out 8 mil in salary.

Mitts is the guy who’s moved around the whole lineup, and unless people think Quinn and JJ will never struggle again at 20/21 years old, they will need another skill guy who can play a role offensively