The Morning Take: A Trip To Cancun May Have Led Byram to Buffalo

“We’ve talked so much about being on the same team. I went on All-Star break with him and he just told me how much he’d love to be here and play with us.”

The Buffalo Sabres trade forward Casey Mittelstadt to the Colorado Avalanche for defenseman Bowen Byram. Adam Proteau reacts.

The Buffalo Sabres have missed the playoffs for the past 12 years. After Wednesday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, you can probably make it a baker’s dozen.

But for all the doom and gloom, this is still a very young team. And Buffalo just got younger — and arguably better — after trading Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado for Bowen Byram.

Mittelstadt, who is enjoying a breakout season, is 25 years old. Byram is only 22. This was a hockey trade more than anything. One that sort of took shape during the all-star break, while Byram was vacationing with Buffalo’s Dylan Cozens in Cancun.

“We’ve talked so much about being on the same team," Cozens said after Wednesday's game. “I went on All-Star break with him and he just told me how much he’d love to be here and play with us.”

Byram and Cozens go way back. They were teammates in midget. They also played together for Team Canada at the U-17s, U-18s and twice at the World Juniors. They hang out in the summers.

“It’s so exciting. I can’t wait for the guys on the team to meet him. They’re going to love him,” said Cozens, smiling. “One of my best friends. I’m really excited to add him to this team. He’s going to fit in so well.

"He’s just such a great player with so much potential. He’s not even close to it yet. He’s going to fit in so well with this group, on and off the ice. I’m just very excited to see him get here.”

Byram will certainly fit in with a defense that already includes 23-year-old Rasmus Dahlin and 21-year-old Owen Power. As for Mittelstadt, he will essentially replace Ryan Johansen, whom Colorado traded to Philadelphia on Wednesday in exchange for defenseman Sean Walker.

"It’s a trade that works out for both sides,” said Cozens. “Each team is getting a great player. So it’s going to help us a lot and I know (Mittelstadt) is going to help Colorado a lot … he gets to play in the playoffs this year and probably go for a good run.”