NHL insider Frank Seravalli dropped some interesting news regarding a past trade between the Avalanche and Sabres
The Colorado Avalanche were very active at the trade deadline last season.
One of the moves they made came as a surprise to many when they traded Bowen Byram to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt.
At the time, the Avalanche were in need of a second-line center, and they clearly hoped that Mittelstadt would fill that role for them.
He would go on to have four goals and 10 points with the Avs in 18 games to finish up the season, which is mediocre production at best for a second-liner.
This year he has nine goals and 32 points through 57 games; again, not quite up to expectations for a second-line center.
And this is despite the fact that he has gotten a significant boost in ice time this season.
For the Sabres, it is not so clear why they are upset with their side of the deal.
Byram put up nine points in 18 games with the team last season and has already tied his career high in points this season.
The 23-year-old blueliner has seven goals and 29 points in 54 games this year, matching his point total from last season in 19 fewer games.
Furthermore, his advanced stats paint him as one of the best defensemen on the team.
In fact, Byram is currently sixth on the Sabres in scoring overall, with Rasmus Dahlin being the only defenseman above him in that regard.
That being said, it is hard to know exactly what Buffalo was hoping for when they acquired him.
His trade value should be rather high, though, so it will be interesting to see if the Sabres move on from Byram if they really are that unhappy with his performance.
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