Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[HaNotsri]

View attachment 800388
I don't see 0% yet, let's go boys!

Looks easy to get a top 5 pick

 

[Sabre the Win]

Tankathon has us picking 7th.

Tankathon | 2025 NHL Draft Order & Lottery Simulator

2025 NHL Draft order tracker updated after every game. NHL lottery simulator to determine the top overall pick. View traded picks and playoff matchups.

www.tankathon.com

And dear god its so depressing that I'm looking at standings on Tankathon again this season.

I thought I was out but....

We most likely won't be picking lower than 7th, the teams below is would have to go on a tear and Sabres put up their annual 10+ game losing streak.

 

[Ehran]

Not that my opinion matters, but I would actively trade #7 pick (plus whatever) to upgrade the current roster.

I would not trades picks 1-3. Picks 4 to 6... I could be convinced to trade for an upgrade.

 

[Beerz]

Not that my opinion matters, but I would actively trade #7 pick (plus whatever) to upgrade the current roster.

I would not trades picks 1-3. Picks 4 to 6... I could be convinced to trade for an upgrade.

I'm trading the pick no matter what it is.

 

[sabres4ever]

GMKA is a bargain bin shopper. Filter for salary under $1M, the pick through what's there.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Did anyone listen to Marek’s segment today? He’s f***ing pissed about this.

Grew up a fan of them and can tell this is really bothering him

 

[SundherDome]

Jeff Skinner is a -1 this season. He's not outscoring his defensive deficiencies. He's had a positive +/- exactly twice in his career. His rookie season, and last season.

The idea of getting rid of Skinner is more about the culture change of getting rid of the ring-leader of the "forwards who refuse to play a 200ft game", which would allow a coach to establish some accountability.

You can't bench other guys for refusing to play a 200ft game and then give Skinner 1st line and 1st unit PP minutes and expect anyone to take you seriously. It's impossible to establish a winning system and culture with a guy like Skinner getting 20 minutes a night who refuses to play the system.

And we've already seen how he responds to being demoted.

It's sunk cost fallacy to continue on with Skinner. We can flush the next 3 seasons and this entire rebuild down the drain by keeping him around, or we can move on.

edit: Kessel drove offense on the 3rd line for the penguins. Skinner is a passenger, not a driver and he's 1st line or bust.

Sure you can. When you can score as consistently as he does at 5v5, then you get a little rope. If our forwards started scoring more then it should call for an evaluation of ice time based on who is playing a complete game. Unfortunately they are not despite repeated attempts to get them going, so this we get Jefe

 

[SundherDome]

Did anyone listen to Marek’s segment today? He’s f***ing pissed about this.

Grew up a fan of them and can tell this is really bothering him

Link?

 

[toomuchsauce]

By the end of next season he will finally say enough and demand out. He will proceed to be vilified and defamed after being traded for a fraction of his value. With his new team that is an actual credible NHL organization he will go on to win the lot and end up a slam dunk first ballot HOF'er. We will remain the dregs of the league with incompetent and unqualified clowns as our GM and coach yet fans will continue to direct their ire at the poorly coached players instead of the actual culprits in a neverending cycle.

I actually hope this happens. I would like to see him play somewhere that he can make the most of his talent. it ain't happening here, we know that. I think I would enjoy watching him play for a good team much more than...whatever is going on here.

 

[Selanne00008]

This team doesn't deserve and isn't ready to add a nice shiny 28 year old top player. They'll waste that more than a top draft pick. I'll trade a pick for help NOW when we are in the playoffs AT the trade deadline. Try to convince me a sweet player would get this team over the top would be like talking to a brick wall.

 

[BB79]

I can't believe we're talking about where we're going to draft again. I guess we're heading back into the rebuild after our long run of Stanley Cup contention. Which young man are we going to hang our hopes on to save us this time, only to be horribly disappointed in his offensive output and effort level on the ice then trade him or watch him sign elsewhere only to do it all over again in 5 years? I'm so sick of doing this. Not doing it again.

 

[MOGlLNY]

I actually hope this happens. I would like to see him play somewhere that he can make the most of his talent. it ain't happening here, we know that. I think I would enjoy watching him play for a good team much more than...whatever is going on here.

Shut up lol

 

[Jim Bob]

Link?

Next, Producer Matt Marchese joins the show to discuss Ilya Samsonov being called up to the Maple Leafs, Devon Levi’s struggles in Buffalo, and much more (34:07).

 

[TageGod]

Good news is cap space and assets. Were stuck with Cozens Thompson Power and Dahlin. The team is having a rough year as a whole. Results aren't great but they have looked better since shifting philosophies. These guys will get back to form. As always, a player is not as good as their best year or as bad as their worst year. Things will work out soon, maybe too late for playoffs.

Krebs VO Girgensons Okposo all will be gone.

Skinner Thompson Tuch
Quinn Cozens Peterka
Greenway XXX Benson
Robinson XXX XXX
XXX

Easy answer is resign Mitts. Or trade Mitts in a Hockey trade for another C.

Dahlin Samuelsson
Power Joker
Clifton EJ

Don't remember if Joker is up or not but I have space for a big move to upgrade top with assets as well with Joker moving out. Dahlin Samuelsson and Power are not this bad.

Trade for a C
Resign Mitts Cozens moves to W if both happen.

Trade for top 4 D.

As always Depth signings or prospects fill in.

Assets out:

2024 1st (going to be valuable), 2025 second, Rosen, Kulich (yes I know I prefer Savoie but you may insert him here instead). I think Kulich is worth more currently than he is actually worth IMO.

 

[Mattilaus]

Things will work out soon, maybe too late for playoffs.

Did we invent a time machine now? I am amazed some still think playoffs is an attainable goal at this point.

 

[OkimLom]

Good news is cap space and assets. Were stuck with Cozens Thompson Power and Dahlin. The team is having a rough year as a whole. Results aren't great but they have looked better since shifting philosophies. These guys will get back to form. As always, a player is not as good as their best year or as bad as their worst year. Things will work out soon, maybe too late for playoffs.

Unfortunately, that cap space can be gone pretty quickly, especially if Quinn and Peterka continue to show that they are more valuable and productive than say Cozens. Those two contracts are going to be interesting to see what Adams does there. And Adams has potentially put himself in a position where he's set a bar for productivity and contract standard. It's to the point where one wishes Power was paid $3 million less per season and Cozens maybe $2-$3 million less a season instead of going aggressive the way he did. Not to mention you still have a large chunk of change tied into Skinner, and you have Mittelstadt showing he deserves a substantial raise.

I fear Adams has painted himself into a position of a lesser version of the Toronto Maple Leafs with so much money tied into a small amount of players, while not being successful in the bigger picture. There's going to be some decisions that are going to hurt.

 

[TageGod]

Did we invent a time machine now? I am amazed some still think playoffs is an attainable goal at this point.

"Think" and mathematically possible are not the same thing. Remember the Blues?

Unfortunately, that cap space can be gone pretty quickly, especially if Quinn and Peterka continue to show that they are more valuable and productive than say Cozens. Those two contracts are going to be interesting to see what Adams does there. And Adams has potentially put himself in a position where he's set a bar for productivity and contract standard. It's to the point where one wishes Power was paid $3 million less per season and Cozens maybe $2-$3 million less a season instead of going aggressive the way he did. Not to mention you still have a large chunk of change tied into Skinner, and you have Mittelstadt showing he deserves a substantial raise.

I fear Adams has painted himself into a position of a lesser version of the Toronto Maple Leafs with so much money tied into a small amount of players, while not being successful in the bigger picture. There's going to be some decisions that are going to hurt.

I feel like you can find a way to mitigate or move Skinner in the next few years. Quite a few Mil comes off the cap from our overpaid vets this year too. Cap finally will go up as well. A lot of year one of big contracts seem bad, increased pressure to perform is hurting these guys right now. Both Power and Cozens can still be good contracts going forward.

 

[joshjull]

I'm always hesitant to say things like this because it gets misconstrued as me saying we need to get rid of him, but IMO Dahlin's play is the biggest reason the team has been so poor this season (perhaps Power is a close second). He's not playing well in his own end, he's not driving play at even strength like he was last year, and he's not quarterbacking the power play as effectively this year either.

Dahlin is a #1 overall pick, leader and potential future captain, and the most talented player on the roster. He needs to play like our best player if we're going to have a chance.

Completely agree about Dahlin. Not so much about Power. Not that he hasn’t struggled. But I think his play is within normal parameters of a player his age getting the minutes he gets, even with his pedigree.

I’ve been surprised and very disappointed with the performance of our top players this year. They are the biggest reason we’re having the shitty season we’re having.

 

[OkimLom]

"Think" and mathematically possible are not the same thing. Remember the Blues?

I feel like you can find a way to mitigate or move Skinner in the next few years. Quite a few Mil comes off the cap from our overpaid vets this year too. Cap finally will go up as well. A lot of year one of big contracts seem bad, increased pressure to perform is hurting these guys right now. Both Power and Cozens can still be good contracts going forward.

I don't see either Power and Cozens playing at a level that would make them good contracts at any point. Can they play up to their value, possibly, but I don't think that makes a contract good.

 

[Jim Bob]

I don't see either Power and Cozens playing at a level that would make them good contracts at any point. Can they play up to their value, possibly, but I don't think that makes a contract good.

I think Cozens and Power absolutely have the ability to play a lot better and outplay their contracts over the long haul.

And whether a player outperforms his deal over the long haul or not is the definition of a good or bad contract to me.

 

[Sabre the Win]

Good news is cap space and assets. Were stuck with Cozens Thompson Power and Dahlin. The team is having a rough year as a whole. Results aren't great but they have looked better since shifting philosophies. These guys will get back to form. As always, a player is not as good as their best year or as bad as their worst year. Things will work out soon, maybe too late for playoffs.

Krebs VO Girgensons Okposo all will be gone.

Skinner Thompson Tuch
Quinn Cozens Peterka
Greenway XXX Benson
Robinson XXX XXX
XXX

Easy answer is resign Mitts. Or trade Mitts in a Hockey trade for another C.

Dahlin Samuelsson
Power Joker
Clifton EJ

Don't remember if Joker is up or not but I have space for a big move to upgrade top with assets as well with Joker moving out. Dahlin Samuelsson and Power are not this bad.

Trade for a C
Resign Mitts Cozens moves to W if both happen.

Trade for top 4 D.

As always Depth signings or prospects fill in.

Assets out:

2024 1st (going to be valuable), 2025 second, Rosen, Kulich (yes I know I prefer Savoie but you may insert him here instead). I think Kulich is worth more currently than he is actually worth IMO.

They havent ever really proven much going the other way.

 

[TageGod]

They havent ever really proven much going the other way.

Sammy had a great year last year, power showed a ton of potential. Sophomore slump for D is real.

 

[RasmusAndersson]

Flames fan here coming in peace. Over the past few weeks I kept wondering why the Sabres aren’t building on last year’s momentum and taking that next step, but after watching the past few games I really think a lot of it is a lack of quality defensemen.

Reading this thread I’m seeing a lot of criticism about Dahlin and Power, but I think these guys are just in over their heads without any quality support. Samuelsson is fine, but playing Power with a revolving door of bottom-pairing dmen is just setting him up for failure. Guys like Clifton and EJ won’t help him develop and make your second pair a massive weakness. Obviously goaltending is an issue too, but there are really not many (if any) good goalie options at all on the market. So you NEED to address the D in my opinion.

And I don’t mean add a #4 dman, I mean add a legit #2/3D to anchor that second pair and turn that pairing into a strength. Otherwise the lack of good goaltending and lack of great dmen beyond Dahlin just leads to defensive breakdown after breakdown and loss after loss.

I don’t mean for this to come off as a sales pitch, but imo you guys are so desperate for a quality #2/3 d like Noah Hanifin. Someone who can eat 20+ 5v5 minutes, can help take tough assignments from Power and Dahlin, and can provide tons of stability to that top-4. Someone who can skate and defend well but also move the puck and contribute in transition.

I get ideally you want an RD to play with Power or Dahlin, but realistically those #2/3 RD don’t come available. Unless you guys are satisfied with a guy like DeMelo, but i don’t think he moves the needle.

You have the cap space, you have the assets, and you have a glaring need. I think Adams NEEDS to pay up for that quality #2 dman. If it’s not Hanifin, it’s gotta be someone like him that can really take the pressure off Power and Dahlin, not some stop-gap solution that will make a marginal difference.

What are your thoughts?

 

[OkimLom]

I think Cozens and Power absolutely have the ability to play a lot better and outplay their contracts over the long haul.

And whether a player outperforms his deal over the long haul or not is the definition of a good or bad contract to me.

That's fine. Everyone has differing opinions.

 

[Zman5778]

Flames fan here coming in peace. Over the past few weeks I kept wondering why the Sabres aren’t building on last year’s momentum and taking that next step, but after watching the past few games I really think a lot of it is a lack of quality defensemen.

Reading this thread I’m seeing a lot of criticism about Dahlin and Power, but I think these guys are just in over their heads without any quality support. Samuelsson is fine, but playing Power with a revolving door of bottom-pairing dmen is just setting him up for failure. Guys like Clifton and EJ won’t help him develop and make your second pair a massive weakness. Obviously goaltending is an issue too, but there are really not many (if any) good goalie options at all on the market. So you NEED to address the D in my opinion.

And I don’t mean add a #4 dman, I mean add a legit #2/3D to anchor that second pair and turn that pairing into a strength. Otherwise the lack of good goaltending and lack of great dmen beyond Dahlin just leads to defensive breakdown after breakdown and loss after loss.

I don’t mean for this to come off as a sales pitch, but imo you guys are so desperate for a quality #2/3 d like Noah Hanifin. Someone who can eat 20+ 5v5 minutes, can help take tough assignments from Power and Dahlin, and can provide tons of stability to that top-4. Someone who can skate and defend well but also move the puck and contribute in transition.

I get ideally you want an RD to play with Power or Dahlin, but realistically those #2/3 RD don’t come available. Unless you guys are satisfied with a guy like DeMelo, but i don’t think he moves the needle.

You have the cap space, you have the assets, and you have a glaring need. I think Adams NEEDS to pay up for that quality #2 dman. If it’s not Hanifin, it’s gotta be someone like him that can really take the pressure off Power and Dahlin, not some stop-gap solution that will make a marginal difference.

What are your thoughts?

Lots to unpack here, but I'm going to try:

1.) Do we NEED a long-term top 4 RHD? It'd be nice.....but I don't think it's strictly necessary. We do have Strbak in the pipeline, but he's likely 2 years away at minimum. We brought Clifton and EJ in to help calm Power down. And you can see the influence sometimes. Power doesn't panic as much when pressured this year, but he's still prone to positional lapses. But in an ideal world in the future, Dahlin and Power will play ~24 min each with Samuelsson right behind.

2.) Our biggest goals-against issue right now isn't goaltending and it isn't talent on defense. It's a lack of:
a.) Any real sort of structure. Granato says/said he intended to teach one this past offseason and into this season, but f*** if we know what that system actually is. But that goes into the bigger problem:
b.) A complete and utter lack of defensive buy in defensively from anyone not named Greenway, Benson, Mittlestadt, Krebs, Okposo and Girgensons. MAYBE you can include Quinn in there. But 5 of your top forwards in 5v5 ice time aren't committed defensively, that's a HUGE problem. Yes, we know Skinner doesn't play defense well.......but having ONE guy in your top 6 being defensively inept can be overcome. Not FIVE. And the thing is: Tage/Tuch/Cozens are are solid PKers.......but they get very, very, very lost when defending 5v5. And to most here, that's an issue with coaching.

3.) Our goaltending has largely been fine this year. Yeah, each goalie has had a crap night here and there.....but by and large, it hasn't been an issue other than the whole "Developing Levi in the NHL and not the AHL thing"......but that's not the point of this post/response.

4.) Another HUGE issue is that Dahlin and Samuelsson in particular have not played nearly as well this year as they did last year. Dahlin isn't skating nearly as well, which leads to the thought that maybe he's hurt. Samuelsson is just flat-out making 2-3 brain dead decisions every game....and many of them are ending up in the back of the net. But again, that could be overcome if our top forwards would play anything resembling defense.


Bottom line: Do we NEED another top-4 RHD? It couldn't hurt.....but that guy needs to be defensively responsible before anything else. Looking at Calgary, the main guy that looks like he'd fill our need would be Weegar. But....NMC and I doubt you guys actually move him unless he asks out.