Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[Sabresfansince1980]

I'd argue he did breakout last year. He upped is PPG from around .5 to .72. That's a big time jump. He also showed a really strong two-way game, and proved he can play top-6/top line minutes effectively in a pinch. The fact he can be effective on the wing or at C is a big deal to me. He may be our modern-day Hecht.

I'm also not sure there's six replacements for him. I only see Krebs as a possible option, and Ostlund as the only true C among the prospects. Maybe it's just me, but Savoie and Kulich look to be wingers in the NHL.

 

[Der Jaeger]

2023-24 Season Opening Mailbag: Did you just say horses?

Let's answer some of your questions heading into the 2023-24 NHL season. We don't just focus on the Buffalo Sabres.

www.expectedbuffalo.com

This is so true.

Agreed. Calgary, Vancouver, St. Louis, and Nashville don't have great rosters and could use a major roster turnover to make things work.

Nashville has a good roster but they don't have many elite players. They will need to play a great team game in front of Saros just to make the playoffs.

Calgary has an older roster, with no real 1C, and like Nashville, will need to play a sound team game to make the playoffs.

St. Louis is in that weird spot post-Cup win where they still have a lot of the veterans who got them there. But they'd be better served blowing it up and rebuilding around Thomas and Kyrou.

Vancouver has a lot of talent but they haven't made it work. When I see that, I tend to think it's a locker room thing.

Washington, Tampa, and Pittsburgh should all rebuild as well. But when you've got stars on your team, especially Cup winners, it's hard. Chicago needed to walk away from Kane and Toews a lot sooner than they did, but didn't. I see all these teams in the same boat.

 

[SabresFanNorthPortFL]

I don’t think the Sabres brass was looking for Bendon this past draft but when he fell…”hell yeah!” I think they saw Savoie, Rosen, Kulich, and I don’t even know about the Russians but individually they’re all Uber skilled but in the framework of building a Cup contending team, there’s just too many small, skilled players.

I see at some time soon that Adams will have to move out one or two of these, let’s say skill guys, to correctly build a team. Pick two to stay and move on. Personally, I think Benson is the cream of the crop so he’s staying. JJ & Kulich have got some jam to them so they’re up and down the lineup guys. Kinda leaves Savoie n Rosen to use as upgrade trade bait.

Mitts to me is second tier behind the five signed long term but he’s a decent physical size, plays defense and has offensive talent. If he doesn’t price himself out, I’d rather keep him, as opposed to the smaller players.

My 2 cents…

 

[Ehran]

There's no point in keeping Olofsson on the team if he doesn't even get PP time, his calling card is his shoot.

21 of his 28 goals last season were even strength.

20+ goal scorers can always find roster spots.

 

[Djp]

I didn't mean to be overly critical of you - it's just that I've seen this same arguement posted by a few people lately & it makes no sense what so ever.

Those players may well be gone... But they will be replaced by comparable players. IE heavily defensively orientated.

The only potential spot which might open up is if Mitts moves on. But I'd still bet on him being resigned.

Whichever way you draw it up, there simply isn't going to be room for a multitude of these young offensively orientated prospects. We (and more importantly Adams) needs to embrace the philosophy of moving on from them in order to help the team in other areas.

I look at roster for 24/25 as

SKinner-thompson-xxx
Mitts-Cozens-xxx
xxx-Krebs-xxx
Greenway-yyy-xxx
xxx= Peterka, Quinn, Savoie, Benson, Kulich
yyy center ( Savoie,Mitts, Krebs)
others not mentioned Rousek, Biro, Kodak, Murray, Weissbach

you have 5 xxx spots with 5 names listed. Thst leaves only one spot. Then you have your spare F which Murray could be one.

there really is one one spot there

that before factoring next years cap space….

assume cap space stays the same….at $83.5M

12 players with a 7/4/1 with $21M in space
RFAs are Krebs, Mitts, UPL, Bryson, joker
Krebs+Mitts+UPL+Joker +Johnson= $14M
so 9/6/2 with $7M and 6 spots to fill


they won’t have much room to play with Other than a bigger trade of Mitts and/ or Joker.

bringing some big name isn’t there right now without knowing how the cap is raised,

 

[Jim Bob]

I look at roster for 24/25 as

SKinner-thompson-xxx
Mitts-Cozens-xxx
xxx-Krebs-xxx
Greenway-yyy-xxx
xxx= Peterka, Quinn, Savoie, Benson, Kulich
yyy center ( Savoie,Mitts, Krebs)
others not mentioned Rousek, Biro, Kodak, Murray, Weissbach

you have 5 xxx spots with 5 names listed. Thst leaves only one spot. Then you have your spare F which Murray could be one.

there really is one one spot there

that before factoring next years cap space….

assume cap space stays the same….at $83.5M

12 players with a 7/4/1 with $21M in space
RFAs are Krebs, Mitts, UPL, Bryson, joker
Krebs+Mitts+UPL+Joker +Johnson= $14M
so 9/6/2 with $7M and 6 spots to fill


they won’t have much room to play with Other than a bigger trade of Mitts and/ or Joker.

bringing some big name isn’t there right now without knowing how the cap is raised,

Before the Dahlin signing, the league prepped the GMs with a projection that next year's cap will be $87.7M per EF.

CapFriendly has 24-25 at $87.5M and 25-26 at $92M as their current projections.

At a minimum, you will see the $1-1.5M bump. But, I think the CF numbers are a decent projection as the payback for the lost revenue during the pandemic is all but certain to be paid off this year and the cap will get back to pre-pandemic increases.

 

[BFLO]

I don’t think they’re ready for it yet. They want to show this group that they believe in their talent, they’re a young group, and they can improve.

Yes we can discuss how they could’ve dealt non rostered pieces that might not be a part of the future (Rosèn, Ostlund, UPL, etc etc). But it seems Adams really wants to hone in on the draft & develop method. At some point he’ll have to trade out some of that forward depth. But injuries, contract structures (elc’s sliding, etc) will help him to procrastinate that… probably for as long as he can unless they really struggle the first 30-40 games this year and they feel the need to make a change.

They’re giving a guy like Levi the opportunity to take the reins.

They’re giving Dahlin, Power, Samuelsson and even to a lesser extent Joki and opportunity to take the reins and be “the guys”.

They’re giving Cozens, Krebs, Peterka and now even Benson (to a lesser extent as he’ll likely get sent down after 9gp unless he REALLY takes over) an opportunity to develop more of a two-way game and add a different element to the forward group.

I understand the argument for getting guys to supplement all of those players i.e. a goalie like Gibson, a defenseman like Pesce, or even a forward like Backlund (obviously not now that he was extended.

At the same time, I do see what Adams & Granato are trying to do in letting this core group own their jobs, run this team, and carry them to the next level. It’s a challenge to the players and without having those above mentioned type of additions the players KNOW that the onus is on THEM to carry this team.

I think replacing the dead weight and filling the holes on the roster would have been the best way to show this group they believe in their talent.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Rowley Birkin]

I look at roster for 24/25 as

SKinner-thompson-xxx
Mitts-Cozens-xxx
xxx-Krebs-xxx
Greenway-yyy-xxx
xxx= Peterka, Quinn, Savoie, Benson, Kulich
yyy center ( Savoie,Mitts, Krebs)
others not mentioned Rousek, Biro, Kodak, Murray, Weissbach

you have 5 xxx spots with 5 names listed. Thst leaves only one spot. Then you have your spare F which Murray could be one.

there really is one one spot there

that before factoring next years cap space….

assume cap space stays the same….at $83.5M

12 players with a 7/4/1 with $21M in space
RFAs are Krebs, Mitts, UPL, Bryson, joker
Krebs+Mitts+UPL+Joker +Johnson= $14M
so 9/6/2 with $7M and 6 spots to fill


they won’t have much room to play with Other than a bigger trade of Mitts and/ or Joker.

bringing some big name isn’t there right now without knowing how the cap is raised,

You missed Tuch to begin with. He's an obvious core piece.

So that's only five empty roster spots.

I'm pretty sure that Mitts gets extended as part of the core too, so that's four. But I'll concede that it's not certain.

That leaves only four spots for

Quinn
Peterka
Savoie
Benson
Kulich
Rosen
Plus others such as Biro, Rousek, Kozak, Murray, Weissbach, etc who might make the jump.
We haven't even mentioned Ostlund yet either ...

... and this still doesn't even account for needing to add defensive players. I'd expect a guy like Girgs to be resigned, and stylistically a suitable replacement for Okposo who probably comes in from outside the organisation.

I didn't say they would bring in a 'big name'. I simply asked you to prove how all of these young forwards would make the team, which you haven't been able to do.

Sooner or later, Adams will need to make decisions on some of these guys. Move them out while their value is relatively high, in return for more useful assets (defensive/heavier forwards, top 4 D, goalie, future draft picks to keep the pipeline stocked, whatever).

 

[Dubi Doo]

I'm still peeved they're trying Joki with Power again.

 

[Djp]

You missed Tuch to begin with. He's an obvious core piece.

So that's only five empty roster spots.

I'm pretty sure that Mitts gets extended as part of the core too, so that's four. But I'll concede that it's not certain.

That leaves only four spots for

Quinn
Peterka
Savoie
Benson
Kulich
Rosen
Plus others such as Biro, Rousek, Kozak, Murray, Weissbach, etc who might make the jump.
We haven't even mentioned Ostlund yet either ...

... and this still doesn't even account for needing to add defensive players. I'd expect a guy like Girgs to be resigned, and stylistically a suitable replacement for Okposo who probably comes in from outside the organisation.

I didn't say they would bring in a 'big name'. I simply asked you to prove how all of these young forwards would make the team, which you haven't been able to do.

Sooner or later, Adams will need to make decisions on some of these guys. Move them out while their value is relatively high, in return for more useful assets (defensive/heavier forwards, top 4 D, goalie, future draft picks to keep the pipeline stocked, whatever).

I forgot to write Tuch in. But it doesn’t affect the space because I was using cap friendly and the numbers.

tOstlund comes over next year and plays in AHL for one year
Poltopov would be similar…1 yr in AHL
next year benson is Sabres or CHL
Savoie, Kulich, Rosen were all 1st round picks. They make the team over bringing in an outsider
Johnson likely makes the team full time next year

these we’re 1st round pick players—- yes they get chances and priority to play in the NHL over signing a 1-3 yr UFA.

someone on an ELC isn’t going to sit in the press box other than a day to day type of injury or Levi not playing back to backs so you might see him in press box on a rest day.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

I forgot to write Tuch in. But it doesn’t affect the space because I was using cap friendly and the numbers.

tOstlund comes over next year and plays in AHL for one year
Poltopov would be similar…1 yr in AHL
next year benson is Sabres or CHL
Savoie, Kulich, Rosen were all 1st round picks. They make the team over bringing in an outsider
Johnson likely makes the team full time next year

these we’re 1st round pick players—- yes they get chances and priority to play in the NHL over signing a 1-3 yr UFA.

someone on an ELC isn’t going to sit in the press box other than a day to day type of injury or Levi not playing back to backs so you might see him in press box on a rest day.

Re bolded - no they do not !

I find it mind boggling that there are regulars on this forum who don't seem to understand the most basic principles.

None of these guys are going to be capable of playing the role we've become accustomed to seeing Girgs/Okposo play.

I'll say it again - this team needs to get BETTER defensively, not worse.

You can't achieve that by replacing your best shut down players with yet more skill/offensively orientated players.

The goal is to make the playoffs & win the Stanley. Not to win a skills competition.

There is simply not going to be room for all these highly drafted young players / prospects. Some of you guys need to let go of the attachment you seemingly have to every single one of them.

 

[GrierIsGod123]

I'm still peeved they're trying Joki with Power again.

Yes...that might end up being one of the bigger failures by Adams. The goal should've been to get Joki on the third pair or moved along. Perhaps we can try Clifton there, who I thought looked much better last night.

Joki is just too passive, defensively unaware and low hockey IQ to help Power. Power is going to push up the ice and needs someone more reliable/strong on his pair. Ryan Johnson might eventually be a good partner there even if he's not exactly a prototype defensive d-man.

 

[Sabre the Win]

Why is Mittlestadt core? I would like to see what Rosen or Ostlund and others can bring before locking Mittlestadt up. He's very streaky, often can't hit the net inches in front of it.

I honestly feel Mittlestadts replacement is already in the organization. Someone who is more impactful night in and night out.

I'd rather not waste money on Mittlestadt unless it's proven he's the only option we have.

Yes...that might end up being one of the bigger failures by Adams. The goal should've been to get Joki on the third pair or moved along. Perhaps we can try Clifton there, who I thought looked much better last night.

Joki is just too passive, defensively unaware and low hockey IQ to help Power. Power is going to push up the ice and needs someone more reliable/strong on his pair. Ryan Johnson might eventually be a good partner there even if he's not exactly a prototype defensive d-man.

Novikov is that defensemen.

 

[TageGod]

Mitts and Benson got carried by Greenway last night. Who had that on their bingo board.

 

[TehDoak]

I look at roster for 24/25 as

SKinner-thompson-xxx
Mitts-Cozens-xxx
xxx-Krebs-xxx
Greenway-yyy-xxx
xxx= Peterka, Quinn, Savoie, Benson, Kulich
yyy center ( Savoie,Mitts, Krebs)
others not mentioned Rousek, Biro, Kodak, Murray, Weissbach

you have 5 xxx spots with 5 names listed. Thst leaves only one spot. Then you have your spare F which Murray could be one.

there really is one one spot there

that before factoring next years cap space….

assume cap space stays the same….at $83.5M

12 players with a 7/4/1 with $21M in space
RFAs are Krebs, Mitts, UPL, Bryson, joker
Krebs+Mitts+UPL+Joker +Johnson= $14M
so 9/6/2 with $7M and 6 spots to fill


they won’t have much room to play with Other than a bigger trade of Mitts and/ or Joker.

bringing some big name isn’t there right now without knowing how the cap is raised,

There is a serious lack of defensive acumen in that potential lineup. Worse than it is now, which is difficult.

This is what I mean when I say the team is 'poorly architected'.

Not every line needs to fit into a neat definition, but you need certain roles filled. You need to be able to have two lines (3 in an ideal world) that are defensively competent. We currently have one. I'm not sure that proposed group of forwards has the makeup for one.

They need to do some serious reconfiguring here. Find a vet middle six center who can anchor the top PK unit and be on the ice for big moments. Have Greenway be on his LW and a passable 2 way RW. Have him mentor a young center like Krebs or maybe Biro. Keep some of the youngsters on the farm for a bit and learn a more two way system.

You are winning zero championships with 3 lines that can't find their own end of the ice.

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

Mitts and Benson got carried by Greenway last night. Who had that on their bingo board.

Carried to a fat 0 points.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Yes...that might end up being one of the bigger failures by Adams. The goal should've been to get Joki on the third pair or moved along. Perhaps we can try Clifton there, who I thought looked much better last night.

Joki is just too passive, defensively unaware and low hockey IQ to help Power. Power is going to push up the ice and needs someone more reliable/strong on his pair. Ryan Johnson might eventually be a good partner there even if he's not exactly a prototype defensive d-man.

There are still options to give Power a better partner. Clifton is obviously choice #1, and I think there's potential there for chemistry to build.

Im not viewing the fact theyre starting with Joki on Power's pair as some huge failure by Adams. He added a lot of depth to the defense, and I think there's a solid chance someone finds chemistry with Power.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Why is Mittlestadt core? I would like to see what Rosen or Ostlund and others can bring before locking Mittlestadt up. He's very streaky, often can't hit the net inches in front of it.

I honestly feel Mittlestadts replacement is already in the organization. Someone who is more impactful night in and night out.

I'd rather not waste money on Mittlestadt unless it's proven he's the only option we have.

You don't want to pay a guy who has proven he can fill in anywhere in the top 9 center or wing at the NHL level to see what unproven prospects can do?

Unless Mittelstadt is asking for a fortune, I'm doing whatever I can to resign a versatile player.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

You don't want to pay a guy who has proven he can fill in anywhere in the top 9 center or wing at the NHL level to see what unproven prospects can do?

Unless Mittelstadt is asking for a fortune, I'm doing whatever I can to resign a versatile player.

I'm not sure who the replacement is. There is only Ostlund (maybe Krebs but I doubt it), and Mitts will need another contract before Ostlund can prove himself.

 

[Sabre the Win]

You don't want to pay a guy who has proven he can fill in anywhere in the top 9 center or wing at the NHL level to see what unproven prospects can do?

Unless Mittelstadt is asking for a fortune, I'm doing whatever I can to resign a versatile player.

He's not worth more than what he's getting paid now. He's a middle 6 player at best, streaky, very little aim. I think he can be replaced. Is the answer on the roster right now? No but they could be next year or the year after.

I wouldn't commit term to him, qualify him. That's it.

His skillset is not unique.

 

[Irie]

There is a serious lack of defensive acumen in that potential lineup. Worse than it is now, which is difficult.

This is what I mean when I say the team is 'poorly architected'.

Not every line needs to fit into a neat definition, but you need certain roles filled. You need to be able to have two lines (3 in an ideal world) that are defensively competent. We currently have one. I'm not sure that proposed group of forwards has the makeup for one.

They need to do some serious reconfiguring here. Find a vet middle six center who can anchor the top PK unit and be on the ice for big moments. Have Greenway be on his LW and a passable 2 way RW. Have him mentor a young center like Krebs or maybe Biro. Keep some of the youngsters on the farm for a bit and learn a more two way system.

You are winning zero championships with 3 lines that can't find their own end of the ice.

All true, but the good news is that the team will probably only be a few pieces away from being solidly built once the young guys hit their stride.

You can always trade promising young talent for good defensive playoff vets that are overpaid.

Keeping some cap flexibility will be key to allow Adams to make the needed moves when the team is eventually in contend mode.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

He's not worth more than what he's getting paid now. He's a middle 6 player at best, streaky, very little aim. I think he can be replaced. Is the answer on the roster right now? No but they could be next year or the year after.

I wouldn't commit term to him, qualify him. That's it.

His skillset is not unique.

A few things..

-A middle six player is well worth more that 2.5 mil which Mittelstadt is.

-His linemates most of last year was the true streaky player in Olofsson (who has been heavily rumored to be moved the last 2 seasons) and Jost who is currently our 13th extra forward.

-Mittelstadt filled in on the top line when Tage was battling through injury and the top line didn't skip a beat and the guy was our best.

-His skill set is not unique but you feel Rosen, Ostlund and Kulich's will?

Look, our playoff/stanley cup window is open NOW. I want a young, versatile forward who you can put anywhere in our top 9 NOW. I'm not waiting 2-3 years for young prospects to produce at the level Mittelstadt is producing NOW.

 

[Sabre the Win]

A few things..

-A middle six player is well worth more that 2.5 mil which Mittelstadt is.

-His linemates most of last year was the true streaky player in Olofsson (who has been heavily rumored to be moved the last 2 seasons) and Jost who is currently our 13th extra forward.

-Mittelstadt filled in on the top line when Tage was battling through injury and the top line didn't skip a beat and the guy was our best.

-His skill set is not unique but you feel Rosen, Ostlund and Kulich's will?

Look, our playoff/stanley cup window is open NOW. I want a young, versatile forward would you can put anywhere in our top 9 NOW. I not waiting 2-3 years for young prospects to produce at the level Mittelstadt is producing NOW.

Low bar if this is what you consider as Mittlestadt producing.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Low bar if this is what you consider as Mittlestadt producing.

He is passable on defense and had 59 points. What else do you want from a middle 6 guy?