Sabres: Casey Mittelstadt-Bowen Byram Trade – An Exciting Risk for Kevyn Adams
The Buffalo Sabres’ general manager, Kevyn Adams, faced a difficult decision heading into the NHL trade deadline. With his team 10 points out of the playoff race and on track for their 13th consecutive season without making the playoffs, Adams needed to consider all options. The internal development of the young team had not progressed as quickly as he had hoped. So when teams began inquiring about Casey Mittelstadt, Buffalo’s leading scorer, Adams had to listen.
Mittelstadt, at 25 years old, had become a top-end playmaker for the Sabres, capable of playing minutes in the middle six of the lineup. He had even handled top-line responsibilities at times and performed exceptionally well. With 47 points in 62 games this season, following a career-high 59 points last season, Mittelstadt was the type of player most teams would want to keep. However, the Sabres already had their top two centers, Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens, signed to long-term extensions. Adams had to assess whether Mittelstadt was worth a similar contract and if it made sense for the team’s long-term future.
Considering the talented forward prospects in Matt Savoie, Noah Ostlund, and Jiri Kulich, who all had the ability to play center, Adams determined that Mittelstadt was expendable. He traded him to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for 22-year-old defenseman Bowen Byram. Adams made it clear that he would not trade a core player like Mittelstadt for future assets. The Sabres were past the point of simply dumping talented players for picks and prospects. Any trade involving Mittelstadt had to upgrade the Sabres’ roster in a different position. And Adams believes that Byram’s addition will do just that.
Byram’s potential was undoubtedly enticing to Adams. As the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, Byram had already showcased elite puck-moving skills. He had contributed nine points in 20 playoff games during the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup-winning season. However, injuries had plagued Byram throughout his NHL career. He had suffered concussions in his first two seasons, limiting his game time to 19 and 30 games, respectively. Last season, a lower-body injury forced him to miss 40 games. This injury history diminished Byram’s trade value. But when healthy and playing at his best, Byram possessed the qualities of a top-pair defenseman. With 20 points in 55 games this season and an average ice time of just under 20 minutes per night, Byram’s potential was evident.
Byram’s playing style also fit perfectly with Buffalo’s system. His impressive scoring ability in the WHL, with 71 points and 26 goals in his draft year, translated to the NHL. He was an exceptional skater with excellent puck skills and vision for creating plays on the rush. Additionally, his shot stood out. Byram’s long-term potential was significant.
The Sabres already boasted a blue line brimming with potential. Rasmus Dahlin, at only 23 years old, had established himself as a legitimate number one defenseman over the past few seasons. Dahlin carried a massive workload, excelling offensively and showcasing tenacity in defense. He and 2021 first overall pick Owen Power had both signed lucrative long-term extensions with the Sabres. Dahlin’s contract would carry an $11 million cap hit, while Power’s would be $8.3 million when their new deals kicked in next season. Both Dahlin and Power were left-handed puck-moving defensemen, like Byram. Furthermore, 23-year-old Mattias Samuelsson had recently signed a seven-year contract worth $4.25 million per year. Another lefty, Ryan Johnson, was also having a strong rookie season.
Adams might still have decisions to make regarding the defense. Byram could potentially slot in as a top-pairing player alongside Dahlin, who was comfortable playing on the right side, even though it was his off hand. This would leave Power to partner with Henri Jokiharju, who was having his best season yet. When Samuelsson returned from injury, he could pair with Connor Clifton. Johnson would then become the seventh defenseman.
With Byram now on the team, Adams had the opportunity to make further moves on defense and continue reshaping the roster. Byram was under contract for one more season at $3.85 million. Adams would need to decide how much cap space he was willing to allocate to the blue line. If Byram remained healthy and continued developing, this trade could prove beneficial for the Sabres. With two centers ahead of Mittelstadt on the depth chart and younger players waiting in the wings, Buffalo had options for filling the void left by Mittelstadt. While the Avalanche may benefit more in the short term from adding Mittelstadt, if Byram’s development progresses as expected, the Sabres could boast a formidable blue line for years to come. It remains uncertain whether Mittelstadt had reached his ceiling in Buffalo, but he was expected to thrive in Colorado alongside talented wingers.
This trade may also open up opportunities for the Sabres to revamp their forward group. Peyton Krebs had briefly auditioned as a third-line center and performed admirably. He may be ready to step into Mittelstadt’s position behind Thompson and Cozens. Additionally, the Sabres had promising prospects who could seize this opportunity and earn a spot in the lineup. Alternatively, Buffalo could look to add more forwards through offseason moves. Adams expressed a desire for the bottom-six forwards to have a distinct identity, whether it be competitiveness, speed, penalty killing, or a physical and direct approach.
Mittelstadt’s departure from Buffalo was a logical choice given his value on the market and contract situation. While his teammates held him in high regard, this trade could serve as a wake-up call for the young players in the Sabres’ locker room, signaling that change is inevitable when the team is not winning.
Adams now has the chance to reshape the forward depth chart for next season. Mittelstadt will not be the only departing player, as Kyle Okposo, Zemgus Girgensons, Eric Robinson, and Victor Olofsson are all unrestricted free agents. This presents Adams with five potential open spots to alter the look of Buffalo’s forward group.
As with any trade of this magnitude, there is always a level of risk involved. If Byram fails to stay healthy or reach his potential while Mittelstadt thrives and finds playoff success in Colorado, this trade could be added to the list of Buffalo’s blunders over the past decade. However, fans and media have criticized Adams for his lack of action in recent seasons. With the team’s internal improvement falling short this year, this trade sets Adams up for an active offseason as he aims to accelerate the Sabres’ rebuild and guide them back to the playoffs next season. It is a risk worth taking.
In conclusion, Kevyn Adams took an exciting risk by trading Casey Mittelstadt for Bowen Byram. Adams recognized the need for change within the Sabres’ roster and seized the opportunity to bolster their defense while addressing the surplus of centers. Byram’s potential and fit within Buffalo’s playing style make him a valuable addition. However, time will tell if this trade pays off for the Sabres in both the short term and long term.