Roster Speculation 2015-16 Pt. III

[26CornerBlitz]

So what about Grigorenko? I mean, if they send him to AHL, he'll go through wavers, and I'm not sure some team isn't going to take him.

He'll be too cheap with too much potential to pass through waivers.

 

[Puppa2Miller]

You just know Harrington and the TBN staff are PO'ed.

and you know they will make some smart comment about WGR paying to be affiliated with the Sabres if they even credit WGR at all for the info.

....and we learned from Sully today that he thinks "wise guys" that write to him "secretly want to be him." I will take that as TBN wishes they were WGR and Sully dreams of being Pegula.

 

[jcbeze]

So what about Grigorenko? I mean, if they send him to AHL, he'll go through wavers, and I'm not sure some team isn't going to take him.

There is no chance he doesn't get claimed.

 

[Jame]

This year's finals don't help the "goalies are important" argument, no doubt. However, if you look back at the last four or five years and look at which goaltenders are in the conference finals, then you paint a somewhat different picture.

And how many people are suggesting building around a goaltender? That's a strawman. This conversation is about the importance of the position, IMO.

That's only because goalies are given the the label if they win on good teams

Jon quick isn't elite, he was just a good goalie behind a very good team... One that features Norris, Selke, and Richard type players.

Tuuka like Thomas before him was playing behind a Norris/Selke combo.

And the importance of the position? That's also a straw man. The question/debate is about the individual manning the position, not the position itself

 

[Beerz]

I put money Hodgson is bought out.

 

[Kshahdoo]

There is no chance he doesn't get claimed.

Yeah, I think the same. So what are they going to do with him? Trade? Loan to the KHL? Give him a place on the roster?

 

[sabres4ever]

I put money Hodgson is bought out.

NHL.com article says Hodgson is working on skating and conditioning. Think TM will pull plug before he gets to show in the next season, and buy him out during the summer?

 

[Selanne00008]

NHL.com article says Hodgson is working on skating and conditioning. Think TM will pull plug before he gets to show in the next season, and buy him out during the summer?

Yeahpp. If you recall, he is at the point where if we do it this off-season (maybe technically before July 1st?), that the buyout is only 1/3 of the remaining contract. But if we wait and give him another chance than the buyout is much more costly regarding cap space it eats up.

 

[Sabre the Win]

Yeahpp. If you recall, he is at the point where if we do it this off-season (maybe technically before July 1st?), that the buyout is only 1/3 of the remaining contract. But if we wait and give him another chance than the buyout is much more costly regarding cap space it eats up.

i wouldn't worry, someone will take him off our hands in the expansion draft

 

[Jame]

I still doubt hodgson gets bought out

Good motivational tactic though

 

[Rhett4]

Hodgson has proven he can score in this league, and he's not so bad defensively at wing. Last year was an off year on a team wanting to lose and stewarded by a coach that Cody meshed with poorly. I'm not in a huge rush to dump him for nothing. His salary won't handcuff the team, and there's potential to expose him to an expansion draft down the line if need be.

 

[sabrebuild]

Before the Cap, the marginal difference between goaltenders had no costs aside from pure dollars. It's how pretty much all the best netminders that weren't Hasek ended up on the best teams (and it eventually happened to him as well). Now, you sign a high dollar goalie at the expense of skater talent, which is practically guaranteed to make your team less competitive.

Oh no disagreement on the cap having an impact. I would just say that the overall explosion of above average goaltending is unprecedented and is what makes the difference between elite and average relatively marginal. I think as recently as the late 90s early aughts the difference between elite and average was much larger and impact full on a pure talent analysis.

Look at it this way, in the 90s and early 00s the difference between a hasek brodeur or Roy was fairly significant over even respectable starters like Barasso, Fuhr, Kolzig, Vanbiesbrouck or Vernon.

For the last ten years you still have some elite starters, but the talent margin is much tighter to that next tier and that next tier is three times as deep.

The overall pool of goaltending is just much stronger, so even in an under capped league, sure you could pay a top goalie as much as you want, but the return on investment would be junk compared to spending equally crazy money on any other position.

I blame Roy Brodeur and Hasek for making taller athletic kids think it's cool to be a goalie.

 

[stokes84]

Does anyone actually see a spot on this team for Hodgson when we are good? If not, it's either time to trade him (good luck) or cut your losses. He's as good as gone.

 

[Ruckus007]

Valueless and devalued are not the same thing.

I know, I said that. You're just being combative.

Elite goaltenders is a myth. If the term must be used, it's to differentiate Lundqvist's consistency from all of the other really good goaltenders in any given season.

Eh, don't get hung up on a single word. Pick whatever group of players you think are the best at the position then answer the question.

 

[Sabre the Win]

Does anyone actually see a spot on this team for Hodgson when we are good? If not, it's either time to trade him (good luck) or cut your losses. He's as good as gone.

When do you consider us good, next year or a year after? Maybe 2018? As of right now there is plenty of room for him.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Does anyone actually see a spot on this team for Hodgson when we are good? If not, it's either time to trade him (good luck) or cut your losses. He's as good as gone.

Murray has to cross that bridge soon, since Regier didn't use the bridge two years ago...

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

Some takes from the interview

I've been of the mind that there's only room for 1 of Hodgson/Grigorenko and I think its Hodgson's job to lose. I think the best you can hope for out of Hodgson is for him to become an elite PP specialist and play 10 mins a night at even strength. I don't see either as great fits in a rolling attack but with a better possession team around him he probably produces fairly well. A passenger player but if he's a key PP contributor then I can tolerate an awful lot of third period benching when the team is up. When people ask what his role would be with this team I think thats what we should expect it to look like, him being the slot option on the PP with Eichel/Reinhart coming off the half wall, then he goes and sits down on the bench.

Reinhart is being penciled in to start as of now and I think that's going to be one of the most interesting stories (outside of Eichel) of the off season.

Sounds like Grigorenko needs to change some hearts and minds to save his roster spot. Outside looking in player, plenty of upside but if you compare him to the projected lineup 2+ years down the road he doesn't look like he'll be in a position to be an impact player. Would rather trade him for a goalie than lose the potential for nothing.

I think Zadorov is both pencilled in as a top 4 player this season and on the short list to be shipped out. He's in the Dareus place, he needs a clean off season and an impact regular season because I don't think Murray is in a happy place with him atm. If the Sabres make a big move this summer, Zads is the most valuable and available asset we have.

 

[Jacob582]

There is no chance he doesn't get claimed.

I would say the majority of teams would put in a claim.

 

[Jacob582]

Yeah, I think the same. So what are they going to do with him? Trade? Loan to the KHL? Give him a place on the roster?

If TM doesn't find trade of his liking for Grigorenko then I say he is on the roster.

 

[Jacob582]

Hodgson has proven he can score in this league, and he's not so bad defensively at wing. Last year was an off year on a team wanting to lose and stewarded by a coach that Cody meshed with poorly. I'm not in a huge rush to dump him for nothing. His salary won't handcuff the team, and there's potential to expose him to an expansion draft down the line if need be.

I feel the same way. He also proved that he can score at the World Championships.

 

[Jame]

I know, I said that. You're just being combative.

Eh, don't get hung up on a single word. Pick whatever group of players you think are the best at the position then answer the question.

Take the top 40 goalies in wins this year, and do the exercise yourself

 

[Ruckus007]

Does anyone actually see a spot on this team for Hodgson when we are good? If not, it's either time to trade him (good luck) or cut your losses. He's as good as gone.

Are you counting Ennis on that team?

When do you consider us good, next year or a year after? Maybe 2018? As of right now there is plenty of room for him.

Eventually, the can't carry all of Hodgson, Ennis and Grigorenko but I agree with you, they all can be on the team next season. It you'd end up with players in non-ideal spots in the lineup and/or on the bench but it's certainly doable.

 

[Sabretooth]

Hodgson, Ennis and Grigorenko

One of these is not like the others

 

[Jacob582]

RW. He had great chemistry with Kane I believe at WJC. Maybe Kane - Girgs - Hodgson

I want Kane with Girgensons. Kane wants the puck on his stick, Girgs is not a great playmaker (but good at driving the net).

Kane is ultra-competitive, so he will be happy playing with Girgs. Would this motivate Hodgson if he was on their line or would his (lack of) kumpeet just piss Kane off?

 

[stokes84]

When do you consider us good, next year or a year after? Maybe 2018? As of right now there is plenty of room for him.

Where, without forcing him in? Are we going to send Grigorenko through waivers because we need to fit Hodgson in somehow?

Kane - Girgensons - Ennis
Mouslon - Eichel - Gionta
Larsson - Reinhart - Grigorenko

Are you planning to make him your 4C? I don't get it.