Sabres fans hate the idea of trading either 8th overall or Cozens for a LW because they rightly say they need a really good C more. They also mostly don't want to move Reinhart because he's their only top six winger that shoots right. He's their "Lindholm" so to speak, although nowhere near as good as Lindholm.
Such a bad trade partner for the Flames unless the new GM wants to make a major splash and can't find a C anywhere to trade those pieces for, but doesn't want to (or isn't allowed to) stay the course and and wait for those futures to either bust or come to fruition.
Honestly though, the Sabres are my favorite trade partner for speculating, because I'm a huge Cozens fan, and I also think if Johnny is dealt for a 1st it should be a top ten pick. (That's another problem of it's own though, because to deal him for an assured top ten pick he needs to be traded before Hall can likely be secured).
Also Jersey, again because they have 7th overall (and a few other decent futures), plus they have multiple 1sts so might be more willing to part with one. On top of that, they are hoping they've already drafted their 1-2 punch down the middle with Hischier and Hughes, and IMO they desperately need a star winger to help those guys along. To top it all off, Johnny has his off season home in Jersey, so re-signing him doesn't seem like it would be a total pipe dream for them.
Winning the lottery, well that would obviously be amazing too. Trading down is also intriguing if they win the lotto. If you drop to 3rd, still get Byfield but also pick up the Isles 1st plus a couple of 2nds from Ottawa, well then you have currency to make other moves as well. Maybe you use a couple of those picks to get a good young goalie like Jarry or Giorgiev, or maybe an established starter like Murray. Or maybe you can move a couple of those picks for a good young winger. Buchnevich was traded to Colorado for a 2nd and 3rd last year and look at the jump he took for the Avs this year.
If the Flames can't get by the Jets, winning the 1st OA, combined with potentially trading Gaudreau and signing Hall could set this team up to not only be competitive now, but would potentially afford them the ability to extend the window out for years and years as well.
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