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Buffalo Sabres Post Trade Deadline Grades and Reactions

By Jacob D. Strozyk

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 07: Anaheim Ducks Defenceman Brandon Montour (26) prepares for a face-off during third period National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on February 7, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 07: Anaheim Ducks Defenceman Brandon Montour (26) prepares for a face-off during third period National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on February 7, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Buffalo Sabres made a couple of moves at this year’s trade deadline, and it’s reassuring to see them buying while also getting stronger in their future outlook.

The Buffalo Sabres made two trades prior to the trade deadline yesterday, and they were a couple of moves that help them address an issue right now, while also gaining positive looks towards the future.

The bigger trade that they made was for former Anaheim Ducks defenseman Brandon Montour in exchange for blue line prospect Brenden Guhle and a conditional first round pick in 2019 (condition is that it will be either the pick Buffalo got from San Jose or St. Louis, whichever one is higher. The pick is also protected to be between #20-31).

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Montour is a right handed shooting defender with some great offensive instincts. The 24 year old blue liner is under contract for the remainder of this season and for all of next season. This makes him a valuable asset to the current group, and it gives coach Phil Housley the flexibility to shuffle the defensive responsibility around.

Montour is a top four defender with great scoring ability. He is a great option to quarterback a power play, and I would not be surprised to see him on the second unit to start off.

The question is who he might play with. With the current group the Buffalo Sabres have, the easiest spot to put him in would be on the third pairing alongside Scandella or McCabe, but I think putting him alongside a different defender would be a lethal option for the Sabres. I know Zach Bogosian has slotted himself as a reliable second pair defender playing with Rasmus Dahlin, but sliding Brandon Montour into that spot would be something really special.

Dahlin has the natural instincts and offensive abilities, and Montour has similar offensive instincts.  Putting these two defenders together will play out very well. While one of them takes an offensive chance, it’ll force the other to stay back and really cover the open zone. It’ll help both of them grow while also giving them both chances to create great scoring chances.

The second trade made by the Buffalo Sabres was moving defender Nathan Beaulieu to the Winnipeg Jets for a sixth round pick. This is simply a move to clear up a roster spot for Montour and grant Beaulieu’s wish to be traded. The return for this is disappointing honestly. Beaulieu is a solid defender that was not utilized correctly all season, and now he will go off to Winnipeg to try and make their starting roster each night. The positive in this trade is that the Sabres got SOMETHING for him instead of just letting him walk.

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Grading these two trades, I give the Beaulieu trade a B-, and the Montour trade an A-. The Beaulieu trade was just to move an expendable defender, and the Montour trade was to add defensive depth and defensive scoring. It addresses a need, but it cost a first round pick along with a top end prospect. At the end of the day, you have to give something in order together something, and the Sabres got a very good offensive defender having a tough season.

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