Toggle sidebar

Player Discussion Buffalo Pickers - The Search For Serviceable Defensemen, Summer of '23 Edition

  • Xenforo Cloud has upgraded us to version 2.3.6. Please report any issues you experience.
  • We are currently aware of "log in/security error" issues that are affecting some users. We apologize and ask for your patience as we try to get these issues fixed.
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.
Ideally you are looking for a 4 and a 5. The pipeline is pretty bare on D so you don’t have to worry about ‘blocking’ anyone. If Johnson signs you could try him at 5 though he might need some AHL time. Bryson/clague/stillman/Lybushkin can fight over the 6/7 slot.
 
Chainshot said:
Looking just at McDonagh, he just waived his NTC to go to Nashville. I don't see him waiving again to come to Buffalo, not to relocate his family again a year after that last trade. He had input on going to the Preds.
Click to expand...
Pre Nashville deadline sale? :dunno:

Maybe it changes things with a new GM coming in and several vets going out.
 
HaNotsri said:
With Borgen rumored to be available if Kraken could upgrade I think he's a good target.
That said I don't think we'll upgrade anyone, it's unlikely Adams changes his philosophy. I bet the consider Jokiharju a top 4 guy and that Johnson us all that we need for the bottom pairing.
Sure sucks to be a Sabres fan.
Click to expand...
The attempted trade for Chychrun says that KA sees a need for a better 2nd pair guy. He might not feel the same urgency we do, but I at least have some hope for a good RHD to be added this summer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rowley Birkin and Zman5778
Seems like they have the following options:

1) Run it back with what they have right now. This seems possible but also the least satisfactory option.
2) Find a RHD partner for Power/upgrade Jokiharju.
3) Find a LHD partner for Dahlin/make Samuelsson Power's partner.
4) Tinker with the third pair/7th defenseman. This one seems like what they just did with the Stillman acquisition and if Johnson comes aboard, they have a new entry on the depth chart.

Either of 2 or 3 seem like they could use Joker as part of the deal, perhaps in a change of scenery type of deal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dkollidas
Chainshot said:
Seems like they have the following options:

1) Run it back with what they have right now. This seems possible but also the least satisfactory option.
2) Find a RHD partner for Power/upgrade Jokiharju.
3) Find a LHD partner for Dahlin/make Samuelsson Power's partner.
4) Tinker with the third pair/7th defenseman. This one seems like what they just did with the Stillman acquisition and if Johnson comes aboard, they have a new entry on the depth chart.

Either of 2 or 3 seem like they could use Joker as part of the deal, perhaps in a change of scenery type of deal.
Click to expand...
I agree that they have to make a move to push Joker down a level. But if they move him out, then they'll have to bring in two defensemen. He'd make a fine puck moving half of a third D-pair.

Unless you're seeing Stillman/Boosh as our third pair next year. Does Stillman push Joker out of the third pair? Seems a bit unlikely, but I suppose It depends how much confidence you have in Stillman. Then you have Bryson/Johnson as seven/eight coming in when injuries hit.

Option 2 or 3 using other assets besides Joker seems to be a better option for me.
 
Diaspora said:
I agree that they have to make a move to push Joker down a level. But if they move him out, then they'll have to bring in two defensemen. He'd make a fine puck moving half of a third D-pair.

Unless you're seeing Stillman/Boosh as our third pair next year. Does Stillman push Joker out of the third pair? Seems a bit unlikely, but I suppose It depends how much confidence you have in Stillman. Then you have Bryson/Johnson as seven/eight coming in when injuries hit.

Option 2 or 3 using other assets besides Joker seems to be a better option for me.
Click to expand...

Changing Henri leaves the third pairing as still Lyubushkin on RD. I'm fine with that. They don't need to bring in two.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Der Jaeger and Rowley Birkin
Sorry to say, I feel like Adams has his top 8 d for next season. I hope I'm wrong.

They have none (zero) after #8 though, and will have to add more depth again. Strand, Cecconi, Pilut and Davies will be UFA.

Johnson come on down.


 
Asymmetric Solution said:
Maybe somehow we can convince Jake Livingstone to give us a look. Kind of reminds me of Will Borgen with some decent offensive upside.

www.flohockey.tv

NHL College Free Agents: Jake Livingstone Leads List Of Top Available UFAs - FloHockey

As NHL teams continue to pursue undrafted NCAA free agents, FloHockey looks at some of the top available for 2022-23.
www.flohockey.tv www.flohockey.tv
Click to expand...

At their level, Livingstone is a much more robust offensive player. Borgen was focused on his own zone more at LSSU, Livingstone is up in the play and more of an activator offensively. Figure they won't land him but he would be an ideal add.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zman5778 and Asymmetric Solution
They need someone like Jay Mckee or Rhett Warrener back there. A guy who won't be pushed around, will throw the body, but is really solid defensively. He doesn't even need to put up a lot of points. As it is, they are WAY too soft on the back end right now. If they ever do make the playoffs they are gonna get run out of the building.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BG82, kirby11 and Irie
sabresfan129103 said:
They need someone like Jay Mckee or Rhett Warrener back there. A guy who won't be pushed around, will throw the body, but is really solid defensively. He doesn't even need to put up a lot of points. As it is, they are WAY too soft on the back end right now. If they ever do make the playoffs they are gonna get run out of the building.
Click to expand...


Connor Clifton. That player is Connor Clifton.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sabresruletheschool and sabresfan129103
Calgary seems like a good target for a trade partner. Hanifin is the guy they most likely move though - and while I've always liked him - I'm pretty sure he's not the best fit. Weegar would be the dream as would Rasmus Andersson.

Parayko was mentioned a lot during the weeks leading up to the deadline. There's the issue of him having a NTC & the contract length - but he'd still be a tremendous fit.
 
Chainshot said:
At their level, Livingstone is a much more robust offensive player. Borgen was focused on his own zone more at LSSU, Livingstone is up in the play and more of an activator offensively. Figure they won't land him but he would be an ideal add.
Click to expand...
While lurking various threads I've seen you mention this guy many times.

How NHL ready is he? Surely it's a stretch to expect him to walk into a key NHL role & perform immediately?
 
Rowley Birkin said:
While lurking various threads I've seen you mention this guy many times.

How NHL ready is he? Surely it's a stretch to expect him to walk into a key NHL role & perform immediately?
Click to expand...

I think he could walk in and be as effective as someone like Perbix has been for Tampa. Or better.

But that’s just me watching him from afar last year and this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zman5778 and Rowley Birkin
ValJamesDuex said:
I mean, they HAVE TO make a try at D, right ?
Click to expand...

Yeah, and they have opportunity which could be appealing, I just don't know if they'll land one of the better ones or get another Nate Knoepke. Most of the folks both Appert and Granato have worked with in the NTDP have moved on to the pros other than Dalton Norris who just now finished his freshman season at Bowling Green or... hmmm... that looks like it. :laugh:

I have hopes that they could get Metsa from Quinnipiac since they had him at dev camp but that's probably weeks off since that team could go to the national championship. Dev camp also doesn't necessarily make a guy sign - Drake Caggiula, Alex Iafallo, Jalen Chatfield and Billy Sweezey were at Sabre dev camps and signed elsewhere for example.

At this point, there haven't been any rumors and some of the well-regarded UDFA defensemen are still in the tournament.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ValJamesDuex
Chainshot said:
Yeah, and they have opportunity which could be appealing, I just don't know if they'll land one of the better ones or get another Nate Knoepke. Most of the folks both Appert and Granato have worked with in the NTDP have moved on to the pros other than Dalton Norris who just now finished his freshman season at Bowling Green or... hmmm... that looks like it. :laugh:

I have hopes that they could get Metsa from Quinnipiac since they had him at dev camp but that's probably weeks off since that team could go to the national championship. Dev camp also doesn't necessarily make a guy sign - Drake Caggiula, Alex Iafallo, Jalen Chatfield and Billy Sweezey were at Sabre dev camps and signed elsewhere for example.

At this point, there haven't been any rumors and some of the well-regarded UDFA defensemen are still in the tournament.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't expect any leaks outside of maybe something leaking out about how likely it is that they get RyJo signed when Minny's season concludes.

That will be the first D domino to drop in all likelihood.

And while it would be great to add a guy like Livingstone to the pipeline, I am way more interested in what Adams is able to do to upgrade the NHL defense for next season.

As the season has gone along, I think it has become more and more obvious that they need a solid vet added to the top 4 to help lead the way. This would seem to be a hole that Adams should be able to fill via trade with a team that has cap issues next season with the cap unlikely to rise a whole lot.
 
Jim Bob said:
I wouldn't expect any leaks outside of maybe something leaking out about how likely it is that they get RyJo signed when Minny's season concludes.

That will be the first D domino to drop in all likelihood.

And while it would be great to add a guy like Livingstone to the pipeline, I am way more interested in what Adams is able to do to upgrade the NHL defense for next season.

As the season has gone along, I think it has become more and more obvious that they need a solid vet added to the top 4 to help lead the way. This would seem to be a hole that Adams should be able to fill via trade with a team that has cap issues next season with the cap unlikely to rise a whole lot.
Click to expand...

Yes, we are all pretty much in agreement about the top four.

It's also pretty clear that they need some capability to have some other flavors in their recall options. One will be Johnson. But they can't just have small, PMD's who can't provide defensive coverage as their 8/9/10/11 options.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Irie, Fezzy126, Zman5778 and 1 other person
Chainshot said:
Yes, we are all pretty much in agreement about the top four.

It's also pretty clear that they need some capability to have some other flavors in their recall options. One will be Johnson. But they can't just have small, PMD's who can't provide defensive coverage as their 8/9/10/11 options.
Click to expand...
Top 4 - Dahlin, Power, Samuelsson, [TBD1]
5-6-7 - Lyubushkin, Stillman, [Bryson/Jokiharju]
8/9/10/11 - [RyJo], Clague, [TBD2], [TBD3]

If they get RyJo signed, that fills a big slot on the D depth chart.

Obviously the upgrade in the top 4 is the most pressing need to fill, along with the hardest role to fill.

When it comes to the depth guys, I wonder if Phillipe Myers would be a possibility? I can't imagine TB would want a lot for him given their cap situation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.

Latest posts

Ad

Ad

Top Bottom