2018-19 Roster Speculation Pt. 3: Started from the bottom now we're here

[OkimLom]

We acquired the second-leading-goal-scorer in the NHL without giving up anything of higher value than a 2nd rounder. That was a special circumstance, yes. But this team has trash center depth. If Linus doesn't save the bacon eight times yesterday, we are staring at 2-7 since the win streak, largely because of an inability for guys behind Jack to do anything remotely reliable and consistent offensively.

We have a 1C pacing for 108 points, a top 5 all time offensive performance for this franchise, carrying a winger that might leave to 24 goals through 34 games. We have a 10 game win streak under the belt, something we won't see again for decades in all likelihood. It is completely possible that we are one injury away from sinking this season because of 2C production like this: View attachment 166435

And the C behind that guy being Vladimir freaking Sobotka. The depth scoring on this team has been erratic and outright bad enough that a simple cool-down from a still healthy top line can put us out of the playoff picture by February, given stretches like that 3-6 one we are currently in.

Darcy Regier didn't make any real moves at the 2005-06 deadline because we weren't ready to compete quite yet, the roster still needed development and we still needed to use our future draft picks on Persson, Scheistel, Brennan, Ennis, Adam, and Kassian. We used 4 AHL D in game 7 of the ECF and they helped us lose a 3rd period lead, keeping us from the freaking 8 seed Oilers and our city's first and only championship. That team was freaking dust 14 months later. History. Done. Gone.

There are the beginnings and potential of special things going on in Buffalo right now, and to help ensure that we get something extraordinarily important for Jack, Sam, Risto, Dahlin, playoff experience (far more important than the equivalent of Alex Nylander helping Rochester in 2022, which is statistically what will most likely happen with extra firsts), we need to lessen the need for our top line to put in 3 goals per game to have a chance to win every single game.

And like I said, there's a very real chance we can acquire said help without even needing to touch a first round pick. This will make Jack's life easier, it will make Casey better and give him better development space in real time, it will make our middle six wings better, and it will cement playoff hockey in Buffalo in April 2019, something that has far more value to this franchise and its pieces than fretting about a pick that we won't even need to give up to get meaningful upgrades.

Jason, I believe in this team you've built. You should too. I know you're expecting guys like Smith and Nylander to help out in April, but you can make it even easier on everyone involved before that happens, and in case that doesn't work as hoped. Fix the league's worst center depth and you can lock up executive of the year, and you won't even need to give up the farm or the future. This is a plea. As thrilled as I am to watch these games, I am just as anxious watching our bottom nine attempting to survive and failing miserably to the tune of regular trips below 20% shot shares and not coming within a mile of scoring a goal in two weeks (looking at 72-17-29, an outright and utter disaster of a line), relying on that utter ridiculousness from Ullmark night in and night out. We aren't always going to get those saves.

Great job on the team so far, man. Finish the job.

We got goals from our bottom 9 just 3 games ago vs Arizona. They scored, I believe 2 goals.

But I agree with most of what you say though.

 

[GellMann]

We got goals from our bottom 9 just 3 games ago vs Arizona. They scored, I believe 2 goals.

But I agree with most of what you say though.

Should have used "Middle six" in my phrasing. I have absolutely zero issue with 71-22-28 individually or as a line.

 

[OkimLom]

Should have used "Middle six" in my phrasing. I have absolutely zero issue with 71-22-28 individually or as a line.

Okay, so, 1 Goal 3 games ago (Casey), hahaha.

 

[PatrikBerglund]

If you grade every player on a scale of 1-10 so far, what would it look like?

 

[OkimLom]

If you grade every player on a scale of 1-10 so far, what would it look like?

If we're strictly looking at how they have performed in their roles, not meeting certain standards/expectations

Skinner: 8.5
Eichel. 9.5
Reinhart: 7
Mittelstadt: 6
Berglund: 4
Erod: 5
Larsson: 6
Girgensons: 6
Sobotka: 4
Okposo: 4
Pominville: 4
Elie: 2
Thompson: 3
Sheary: 5

Ristolainen: 7.5
Scandella: 5.5
Beaulieu: 5
Bogosian: 6
McCabe: 4.5
Dahlin: 7
Nelson: 3
Tennyson: 1

Hutton: 8.5
Ullmark: 8

Housley: 6

 

[dortt]

The more that I think about it, if Mittlestadt does not improve and Botteril does not want to spend capital to bring in a #2 center, I'd be open to going full Bowman once the D is full healthy

We could have a D corps of
Pilut, Risto
McCabe, Bogo
Beaulieu, Scandella
Guhle 7

Have Dahlin play #2 center. He'd be a major upgrade over Casey. Would play same position on the PP. Not a bad 1-2 push. Housley should consider this since he himself played center under Bowman

Reinhart should not be an option for #2 center. He is likely to end up > ppg playing on Jack's wing. Not moving Sam under any circumstances. Do not break what is one of the top 3 lines in the NHL

 

[sabrebuild]

The more that I think about it, if Mittlestadt does not improve and Botteril does not want to spend capital to bring in a #2 center, I'd be open to going full Bowman once the D is full healthy

We could have a D corps of
Pilut, Risto
McCabe, Bogo
Beaulieu, Scandella
Guhle 7

Have Dahlin play #2 center. He'd be a major upgrade over Casey. Would play same position on the PP. Not a bad 1-2 push. Housley should consider this since he himself played center under Bowman

Reinhart should not be an option for #2 center. He is likely to end up > ppg playing on Jack's wing. Not moving Sam under any circumstances. Do not break what is one of the top 3 lines in the NHL

Give your head a shake.

 

[DolanPlsGoSabres]

Give your head a shake.

First the aRISTOtle to Jack's wing...now Dahlin to 2C? What's with these Defensemen to Forward moves? Never a bad thing to have D depth.

Who were the last Sabres to play both F/D? Deslauriers? Did Montador get a few reps on the 4th line iirc?

 

[HaNotsri]

Could Philly go for a mini rebuild? Couturier is just 26 and on a great contract.

Not easy to find a young decent 3C on the teams at the bottom of the league.

 

[dortt]

First the aRISTOtle to Jack's wing...now Dahlin to 2C? What's with these Defensemen to Forward moves? Never a bad thing to have D depth.

Who were the last Sabres to play both F/D? Deslauriers? Did Montador get a few reps on the 4th line iirc?

Risto never should be on Jack's wing. Ever!

Also, nothing owuld say that if injuries or poor play stepped up, he couldn't rotate back. Bowman is probably the best coach of all time. He had Fedorov playing D.

I'd MUCH rather have Dahlin on the back end. But, we have such a gaping hole at #2 C that Dahlin could be a stop gap there. Sure beats Mittlestadt there or taking Reinhart off of Jack's wing and forcing him into center

 

[dkollidas]

Could Philly go for a mini rebuild? Couturier is just 26 and on a great contract.

Not easy to find a young decent 3C on the teams at the bottom of the league.

I feel like Philadelphia would want either multiple 1st’s, or something involving Mittelstadt? Couturier scored 76pts last season and is on pace for over 65. He’s a top-6 center who has major defensive upside as well.

I would wonder if someone like Koneckny is available? He could be a solid middle-6 scoring center. I know he’s played a lot of wing but I would assume part of that is because of Giroux/Couturier/Patrick down the middle?

He’s only 21, is a great skater, scored 47pts last year and is on pace for about 50pts right now.

As for buy-low candidates, I wonder about the following...

Jared McCann (Florida): maybe for something involving Scandella. Maybe even a Scandella/Rodrigues for McCann/Pysyk deal? Neither have done much of anything for Florida this year, and neither were spectacular even last season.

Andrew Copp (Winnipeg): he’s currently on IR, but he’s a bigger bodied, feisty player who could provide depth down the middle. He’s been shifted to the wing because Winnipeg has Scheifele, Little, Roslovic, and Lowry all above him as centers. I wonder if a change could be what he needs to project him forward. He could probably be had in a deal for a Casey Nelson as Winnipeg may be looking for RHD depth with Myers being a UFA and Trouba being a potential trade away RFA candidate.

Tierney or Pageau would interest me as well, just not sure how interested Ottawa would be in trading within the division. Pageau could probably be done for something like Beaulieu. Tierney might cost more, and not really sure what Ottawa is looking to do next year (do they try to keep Stone, Dzingel & Duchene and build with that & Toachuk)? Or do they move as much as they can at the deadline and start building up picks and prospects.

 

[gallagt01]

I feel like Philadelphia would want either multiple 1st’s, or something involving Mittelstadt? Couturier scored 76pts last season and is on pace for over 65. He’s a top-6 center who has major defensive upside as well.

I would wonder if someone like Koneckny is available? He could be a solid middle-6 scoring center. I know he’s played a lot of wing but I would assume part of that is because of Giroux/Couturier/Patrick down the middle?

He’s only 21, is a great skater, scored 47pts last year and is on pace for about 50pts right now.

As for buy-low candidates, I wonder about the following...

Jared McCann (Florida): maybe for something involving Scandella. Maybe even a Scandella/Rodrigues for McCann/Pysyk deal? Neither have done much of anything for Florida this year, and neither were spectacular even last season.

Andrew Copp (Winnipeg): he’s currently on IR, but he’s a bigger bodied, feisty player who could provide depth down the middle. He’s been shifted to the wing because Winnipeg has Scheifele, Little, Roslovic, and Lowry all above him as centers. I wonder if a change could be what he needs to project him forward. He could probably be had in a deal for a Casey Nelson as Winnipeg may be looking for RHD depth with Myers being a UFA and Trouba being a potential trade away RFA candidate.

Tierney or Pageau would interest me as well, just not sure how interested Ottawa would be in trading within the division. Pageau could probably be done for something like Beaulieu. Tierney might cost more, and not really sure what Ottawa is looking to do next year (do they try to keep Stone, Dzingel & Duchene and build with that & Toachuk)? Or do they move as much as they can at the deadline and start building up picks and prospects.

Winnipeg doesn't touch Copp for Nelson.
Ottawa doesn't touch Pageau for Beaulieu.

I do like both players though.

 

[dkollidas]

Winnipeg doesn't touch Copp for Nelson.
Ottawa doesn't touch Pageau for Beaulieu.

I do like both players though.

Maybe not, but I just think defensemen have immense value in the league right now. Especially young guys, with size, who can skate.

 

[Aavvaa]

If we're talking Pageau, Ottawa will likely want Scandella.

Which I'm fine with because Pilut.

 

[gallagt01]

If we're talking Pageau, Ottawa will likely want Scandella.

Which I'm fine with because Pilut.

This is a trade I would make.

Pageau would be a fine addition to the bottom six.

 

[Aavvaa]

He was being shopped in the summer, I know that. I don't know how likely it is Buffalo wants to bring him in considering he's coming back from injury, but he's a good player.

Still kind of rather go for Tierney if we're plucking a 3C from the Sens.

 

[Djp]

When it comes to playoffs I’d rather have them dress 7 Dmen using beaulieu as 4th line winger and then do Pilut-Risto, dahlin-Mccabe, scandella-Bogo

 

[nickdawg95]

Who do we pair with mittlestadt to get him going ?

Nylander-Mitts-Oloffsson ?

Smith-Mitts-Okposo ?

 

[is the answer jesus]

Could Philly go for a mini rebuild? Couturier is just 26 and on a great contract.

Not easy to find a young decent 3C on the teams at the bottom of the league.

I see their mini rebuild being trading Simmonds as a rental, and moving Gudas to the highest bidder. They've got loads of talent in the pipeline and they'll be adding another high end prospect to it in the 2019 draft. The new GM and coach can afford to wait on the upcoming talent. Maybe they entertain moving some older higher priced guys (Voracek, JVR come to mind). As much as I'd love to see Couturier in a Sabres sweater I think he's damn near untouchable.

 

[dire wolf]

When it comes to playoffs I’d rather have them dress 7 Dmen using beaulieu as 4th line winger and then do Pilut-Risto, dahlin-Mccabe, scandella-Bogo

I said a while ago that Beaulieu would actually be a decent forward. He's strong on the forecheck, skates well and has a good shot. However, he was actually playing good D for the first time right before he got hurt. I think Steve Smith is something of a minor miracle worker with these guys.

 

[Aavvaa]

Jesus christ guys D-men are D-men they aren't forwards why is everyone trying to turn defenders into forwards I'm so confused

 

[Chainshot]

Who do we pair with mittlestadt to get him going ?

Nylander-Mitts-Oloffsson ?

Smith-Mitts-Okposo ?

The Victor Antipin memorial buffet in the press box?

 

[Club]

Kevin Hayes anyone?

 

[Hasekperreault23]

First the aRISTOtle to Jack's wing...now Dahlin to 2C? What's with these Defensemen to Forward moves? Never a bad thing to have D depth.

Who were the last Sabres to play both F/D? Deslauriers? Did Montador get a few reps on the 4th line iirc?

Lindy Ruff

 

[thomas vanek]

I would wonder if someone like Koneckny is available? He could be a solid middle-6 scoring center. I know he’s played a lot of wing but I would assume part of that is because of Giroux/Couturier/Patrick down the middle?

He’s only 21, is a great skater, scored 47pts last year and is on pace for about 50pts right now.
E]

Koneckny can be had for the Sabres 21st overall pick in the 2015 entry draf-......ohhhhh never mind