Player Discussion Peyton Krebs C/LW -- Re-signed 2 years, $1.45m AAV

[GrierIsGod123]

His passing and vision already appear to be elite for sure. He's also quite good at pressuring the puck, taking good angles, etc. in the offensive zone. I think he's gotta work on positioning in the defensive zone, just like Cozens does.

I'm confident he'll get there, as he has the drive and Hockey IQ. If we can all recall, Eichel was horrendous in his own zone for a few years, and then it clicked and he became borderline elite at it. You could even look at more recent examples with Mitts and Thompson, who are both solid in their own end now.

Granato's job will be to determine who is best "defensive" centers are from the group and play these guys to their strengths moving forward. Perhaps Krebs never become elite defensively, but can be a really solid #2 Center playing against lower lines. There's nothing wrong with that in my eyes.

 

[Puppa2Miller]

His passing and vision already appear to be elite for sure. He's also quite good at pressuring the puck, taking good angles, etc. in the offensive zone. I think he's gotta work on positioning in the defensive zone, just like Cozens does.

I'm confident he'll get there, as he has the drive and Hockey IQ. If we can all recall, Eichel was horrendous in his own zone for a few years, and then it clicked and he became borderline elite at it. You could even look at more recent examples with Mitts and Thompson, who are both solid in their own end now.

Granato's job will be to determine who is best "defensive" centers are from the group and play these guys to their strengths moving forward. Perhaps Krebs never become elite defensively, but can be a really solid #2 Center playing against lower lines. There's nothing wrong with that in my eyes.

I don't recall Eichel beoming close to elite in his own zone. Is that a common take?

I always thought Krebs in his draft year was hyped as a guy who would be ready right away in his own zone. Maybe my memory is off, but I thought that was part of the reason so many Sabres fans were intrigued by him.

 

[Chainshot]

I don't recall Eichel beoming close to elite in his own zone. Is that a common take?

I always thought Krebs in his draft year was hyped as a guy who would be ready right away in his own zone. Maybe my memory is off, but I thought that was part of the reason so many Sabres fans were intrigued by him.

I agree, I don't recall Jack being elite in his own zone. Once he has the puck and moving up the ice, he was great at zone entry but that's not the same as being even good in his own zone regarding recognizing and making the effort to be in position to disrupt the play. He had moments, but too often was not engaged on that side of the ice.

As for Krebs, he has things to learn about what to do in his own zone. The goal where he was within a stick of the goal scorer in front of the Sabres net the other day was a prime example - if he were a more established player, it would've likely been a situation where the knives come out.

 

[OkimLom]

I don't recall Eichel beoming close to elite in his own zone. Is that a common take?

I always thought Krebs in his draft year was hyped as a guy who would be ready right away in his own zone. Maybe my memory is off, but I thought that was part of the reason so many Sabres fans were intrigued by him.

He (Eichel) wasn't elite at all. He improved by a great deal, I'd say he played defense in the same way Thompson does, but with a little better ability in the middle of the zone. I'd say his defensive zone coverage was 6/10.

As one of the few Krebs fans in his draft year, he had the tools to have a good two-way game, but needed to be developed to unlock that. His offensive game was his stand-out attribute.

 

[tsujimoto74]

He (Eichel) wasn't elite at all. He improved by a great deal, I'd say he played defense in the same way Thompson does, but with a little better ability in the middle of the zone. I'd say his defensive zone coverage was 6/10.

As one of the few Krebs fans in his draft year, he had the tools to have a good two-way game, but needed to be developed to unlock that. His offensive game was his stand-out attribute.

There are a few different ways to effectively play defense as a center. You have guys cerebral guys who rely primarily on anticipation and positioning (i.e., reading where the play is going and disrupting the passing lanes), and Eichel wasn't ever amazing at that. What he did have the tools for--and got much better at over time--was winning his defensive match-ups through sheer physical dominance. I don't mean dishing big hits, or even small ones, really; more like being strong enough to win body position battles, to consistently lift sticks and steal pucks, to do better than 50% in 50-50 board battles, etc. Obviously the centers who are truly elite on D excel in both the physical and mental aspects. I think Krebs has the mental part. Kid oozes hockey IQ all over the ice.

 

[Dex]

......I'm confident he'll get there, as he has the drive and Hockey IQ. If we can all recall, Eichel was horrendous in his own zone for a few years, and then it clicked and he became borderline elite at it. You could even look at more recent examples with Mitts and Thompson, who are both solid in their own end now.........

How wide is the border? Are we talking demilitarized zone wide here?

 

[OkimLom]

There are a few different ways to effectively play defense as a center. You have guys cerebral guys who rely primarily on anticipation and positioning (i.e., reading where the play is going and disrupting the passing lanes), and Eichel wasn't ever amazing at that. What he did have the tools for--and got much better at over time--was winning his defensive match-ups through sheer physical dominance. I don't mean dishing big hits, or even small ones, really; more like being strong enough to win body position battles, to consistently lift sticks and steal pucks, to do better than 50% in 50-50 board battles, etc. Obviously the centers who are truly elite on D excel in both the physical and mental aspects. I think Krebs has the mental part. Kid oozes hockey IQ all over the ice.

Agree for most of what you said, but I'd say Eichel was at worst decent at the anticipation aspect. He broke up many plays with his stick work and getting into lanes. Did he lose his guy, or wasn't engaged at certain points, absolutely, but he was improving in that area, until his most recent injured season.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

I don't recall Eichel beoming close to elite in his own zone. Is that a common take?

I always thought Krebs in his draft year was hyped as a guy who would be ready right away in his own zone. Maybe my memory is off, but I thought that was part of the reason so many Sabres fans were intrigued by him.

wasn't Krebs being compared to Toews in two way style pre draft ?

 

[member 334057]

wasn't Krebs being compared to Toews in two way style pre draft ?

From the articles I was able to find in his draft year I saw comparisons to Elias Lindholm, Matt Duchene, and Matthew Barzal. Then there was also an article that suggested he was best suited to play the wing comparing him to Brayden Point and Josh Bailey. I think realistically he could end up like a Lindholm where it takes him a couple of years to really get his defensive game together at the NHL level.

 

[Montag DP]

Agree for most of what you said, but I'd say Eichel was at worst decent at the anticipation aspect. He broke up many plays with his stick work and getting into lanes. Did he lose his guy, or wasn't engaged at certain points, absolutely, but he was improving in that area, until his most recent injured season.

His speed helps with that. In more recent years when he obviously was working on his defensive game, it wasn't unusual to see him break up a play or a pass due to simply out-skating and/or out-muscling the other team when they were in the process of entering the zone.

 

[sufferer]

wasn't Krebs being compared to Toews in two way style pre draft ?

I've heard everything from Danny Briere to Mike Richards.

 

[joshjull]

It will be interesting to see where he ends up (Wing or center).

Wing may end up being his destination next season. Not that he can’t be a center but…..

1) He needs a lot of work on his defensive game/dzone play to be a NHL center.

2) He needs to beat out at least one of Mitts, Tage and Cozens for one of the top 3 center spots. I can’t see him as a “4th center”


These things are possible for Krebs but probably not by next season.

 

[Jim Bob]

It will be interesting to see where he ends up (Wing or center).

Wing may end up being his destination next season. Not that he can’t be a center but…..

1) He needs a lot of work on his defensive game/dzone play to be a NHL center.

2) He needs to beat out at least one of Mitts, Tage and Cozens for one of the top 3 center spots. I can’t see him as a “4th center”

These things are possible for Krebs but probably not by next season.

Mitts needs to stay healthy to be a top 9 center in the NHL.

And given Cozens and Krebs having previous experience playing on a line together with Team Canada and Cozens' excitement about Krebs being in the Eichel deal, I won't be shocked if they play together and either one of them slides to the wing.

 

[joshjull]

Mitts needs to stay healthy to be a top 9 center in the NHL.

Are you trying to tell me Mitts needs to be in the lineup to play? No way………

And given Cozens and Krebs having previous experience playing on a line together with Team Canada and Cozens' excitement about Krebs being in the Eichel deal, I won't be shocked if they play together and either one of them slides to the wing.

I’ve been wondering about this myself. Tage wouldn’t be a bad option either. Both he and Cozens are more shooters than passers. Both would benefit from Krebs passing.

 

[Jim Bob]

Are you trying to tell me Mitts needs to be in the lineup to play? No way………

I’ve been wondering about this myself. Tage wouldn’t be a bad option either. Both he and Cozens are more shooters than players and would benefit from Krebs passing.

I'm saying that I am penciling Krebs into the top 3 centers next season ahead of Mitts because I will believe that Mitts can stay healthy and productive when I see it.

Realistically, I think all four of them are healthy for maybe 25% of the team's games. So, most of the time the healthy ones will be at center and if they are all healthy, one of them slides to the wing.

 

[missingmika]

I'm saying that I am penciling Krebs into the top 3 centers next season ahead of Mitts because I will believe that Mitts can stay healthy and productive when I see it.

Realistically, I think all four of them are healthy for maybe 25% of the team's games. So, most of the time the healthy ones will be at center and if they are all healthy, one of them slides to the wing.

If we hold one in reserve for the playoffs each year that could be our trade deadline acquisition like Tim Connolly!

 

[Fezzy126]

I'm saying that I am penciling Krebs into the top 3 centers next season ahead of Mitts because I will believe that Mitts can stay healthy and productive when I see it.

Realistically, I think all four of them are healthy for maybe 25% of the team's games. So, most of the time the healthy ones will be at center and if they are all healthy, one of them slides to the wing.

The productive part I get, that was the knock on him dating back to college, but it sounds like you're implying that Casey is injury prone. Unless I'm mistaken, there's nothing before this season to suggest that Casey is injury prone is there?

 

[GOALOFSSON]

Mitts needs to stay healthy to be a top 9 center in the NHL.

I will believe that Mitts can stay healthy and productive when I see it.

Why is this a thing?

Did he even miss time last year due to injury or was it just Krueger?

 

[Zman5778]

I will believe that Mitts can stay healthy and productive when I see it.

Mitts hasn't had injury issues at any level outside of this year. And if Gallagher wasn't a f***ing dink, he wouldn't have any this year.

 

[Gras]

The productive part I get, that was the knock on him dating back to college, but it sounds like you're implying that Casey is injury prone. Unless I'm mistaken, there's nothing before this season to suggest that Casey is injury prone is there?

Around these parts people feel if you get one injury then you are forever injury prone.

 

[Jim Bob]

The productive part I get, that was the knock on him dating back to college, but it sounds like you're implying that Casey is injury prone. Unless I'm mistaken, there's nothing before this season to suggest that Casey is injury prone is there?

Mitts has played 45 of 89 games from the start of last season.

And the year before that he made it in 67 games between Buffalo and Rochester.

Krebs and Cozens have missed chunks of time, too. I just don't see the issue with having 4 top 9 centers as they are unlikely to all be healthy and productive all at the same time.

 

[joshjull]

I'm saying that I am penciling Krebs into the top 3 centers next season ahead of Mitts because I will believe that Mitts can stay healthy and productive when I see it.

Huh?

Last year after Granato put Mitts back at center he produced at a roughly 30g 60pt pace. He had shown a lot during that meat grinder. We were hoping to see next steps this year but…

Krebs hasn’t been able to establish himself as a center in the AHL yet. His best hockey was on Jankowski’s wing. He has also been buried in the 3 games with us this year and done nothing close in the NHL to what Mitts did during that stretch.

But Krebs is the clear choice for next season at center? Sure

Realistically, I think all four of them are healthy for maybe 25% of the team's games. So, most of the time the healthy ones will be at center and if they are all healthy, one of them slides to the wing.

Now we get into the bizarre stuff.

So next season we ‘re only going to see Mitts, Tage, Cozens and Krebs on the ice together for 20 games or so. The other 60+ they will be taking turns being injured then?

Do you even realize how bizarre that assertion is?

 

[joshjull]

Mitts has played 45 of 89 games from the start of last season.

And the year before that he made it in 67 games between Buffalo and Rochester.

Krebs and Cozens have missed chunks of time, too. I just don't see the issue with having 4 top 9 centers as they are unlikely to all be healthy and productive all at the same time.

You’re really going to go there? You know the injury costing him time is the one this year during that time frame. Last year he sat due to roster decisions by Krueger.


What’s with this bizarre hard on for Mitts and the weird injury claims about all 4 (Mitts,Tage,Cozens, Krebs)?

 

[Jim Bob]

Huh?

Last year Mitts produced at roughly 30g 60pt pace. After Granato put him back at center. He had shown a lot during that meat grinder. We were hoping to see next steps this year but…

Krebs hasn’t been able to establish himself as a center in the AHL yet and has done nothing close in the NHL to what Mitts did during that stretch. But Krebs is the clear choice for next season at center?

Sure

You are banking it all on a 28 game stretch to finish last season?

OK.

Now we get into the bizarre stuff.

So next season we ‘re only going to see Mitts, Tage, Cozens and Krebs on the ice together for 20 games or so. The other 60+ they will be taking turns being injured then?

Do you even realize how bizarre that assertion is?

How many games over last season and this season have the Sabres had all four of their top 4 centers healthy and available?

 

[joshjull]

You are banking it all on a 28 game stretch to finish last season?

OK.

I’m banking on the fact that Mitts had finally started putting it together and Granato helped get him there. I’m banking on Granato wanting to pick up where they left off whenever Mitts returns. Mitts needs to keep building off what he did during those games and that building was delayed by the injury this season.

But lets flip this around. What is the basis for your assertion Krebs will beat Mitts out? He hasn’t established himself in the AHL as a center yet. On his 3 game call up he’s been buried so far at 5v5. In fairness thats not all on him but he does need a decent amount of work defensively/in dzone. He has a long way to go to have a similar stretch to Mitts last year. I haven’t ruled it out btw. Lots of season left.

Krebs has shown some exciting flashes. I think the sky’s the limit on his offensive potential. I’m just not sure its at center yet with the work he needs to do. Or at least not as his primary position in the short run. He could be a fill in when others get hurt.

I’m wondering if you misunderstood what I meant when I said I don’t see him as a “4th center”. I meant when healthy we wouldn’t line up with all four of Mitts/Tage/Cozens/Krebs as our centers. One of them would be a winger. I didn’t mean he was never going to be in the mix as a center option.

How many games over last season and this season have the Sabres had all four of their top 4 centers healthy and available?

Last season was such a mess with the amount of options at center and who should have played vs who did with Krueger. That said I think the centers (Jack/Staal/Eakin/Lazar) played almost all of the 21 games Jack played until he got hurt. Then the trades happened.

Are you expecting a horrible injury knocking out one of our centers for the bulk of every season? Thats the most likely way those 4 would only play 20 games of so together. Those 4 getting injured can play it a few different ways. For example, they could all be out at roughly the same time leaving us with none of our top 4 center options for a stretch. Or they could get injured perfectly spaced out where they almost never all play. Expecting them to just play 20 games together seems like an oddly specific expectation.