Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[debaser66]

I would also like to think they could see a bump by plucking someone out of another organization to put into a role they don't seem to have well covered. Vegas has done a couple of those - the Nic Roy deal from Carolina got them a viable 3/4 C, or how Colorado fleeced the Islanders for Toews at the expense of a couple of draft picks. Finding that sort of value rather than chasing a pending UFA type or worse, signing the UFA guy above market rate, is a missing for this team. Same with finding the Goodrow or Coleman types before they become the type of player who gets overpaid in UFA or over-priced in trade - get to it.

There is so much comment from Adams about not putting players in the way of the prospects, yet they have to get to the roster building now instead of just remaining a clearing house for prospects. This is where the hard decisions on who stays, who goes, and most importantly, who comes in are going to be needed.

didn't they employ just one pro scout?

 

[Chainshot]

didn't they employ just one pro scout?

That's what was recently reported - Jeremiah Crowe is the head of pro scouting and also the only dedicated pro scout.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Yep. There is one defenseman on this team over 28 and that's EJ who is playing the least of any of their defensemen. Look at contenders - actual contenders - and the bluelines are far more experienced both for their top minute guys and their depth. Just one player isn't going to alter that. Similarly, they rely upon the couple of vets they have in a checking role (Girgensons, Okposo) when other teams have far more available candidates. It's refreshing to see some younger legs working into PKing roles (Quinn in particular), but they're still so very inexperienced seemingly everywhere.

Pittsburg has 133 years more experience by my calculations (not kidding). We're extremely deficient in that important category -- experince.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

It's interesting to see Chychrun actually has some very good underlying stuff for the Sens, even with their poor coaching and distribution of under-performing forward talent. He's going to get paid and that seems inevitable. Buffalo needs to pump up their pro scouting to turn out their version of a Siegenthaler trade or find their version of Marino coming out of the college ranks but not being willing to sign with his drafting team. Or some sort of Whitecloud or Malinski UDFA to give them economy and the missing sort of stoutness in their blueline that's missing currently.

I have a hard time evaluating him, though I'm a bit surprised to hear his underlying numbers look good. Or maybe I shouldn't be surprised since he looks like Owen Power in his own zone sometimes (in a bad way), yet I hear Power has good metrics too.

He improves the shit out of your shot totals, that's for sure. His Corsi must look nice at the very least.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

I've been thinking about Brodin as a target. He's a steady, top 4D who can play either side. Not too old. Term, but not an absurd contract. Minnesota has had a down year, so I wonder if they look to move him for more youth at some point.

Tough part is he has a NMC, but who knows.

Something like:

Mitts (Minny guy and a youngish 2C for them)
Pick or prospect

Brodin
Foligno (can help convince Brodin to waive)

Thoughts?

 

[Old Navy Goat]

I've been thinking about Brodin as a target. He's a steady, top 4D who can play either side. Not too old. Term, but not an absurd contract. Minnesota has had a down year, so I wonder if they look to move him for more youth at some point.

Tough part is he has a NMC, but who knows.

Something like:

Mitts (Minny guy and a youngish 2C for them)
Pick or prospect

Brodin
Foligno (can help convince Brodin to waive)

Thoughts?

2 issues being that Mitts is our only real center and there is a lack of suitable candidates to replace him. The 2nd issue is Minn just resigned Foligno to a 4yr extension so it highly doubtful they have any interest in moving him

 

[DeletedUser539]

What is the main reason sabres arent winning?

They have talent But what lines/players are the reasons they cant make it ?

or is it just coaching?

Lack of heart and effort this year almost like they played with a chip on their shoulder last year compared to this year, last year they played like they loved the sport flashes of brilliance at times this year we are inconsistent most games look like we come in heavy footed and underprepared

 

[Chainshot]

Well, Spurgeon is having multiple surgeries and is now out for the season. So if there is a time to go kick around the Wild for a player, it would be now. Brodin of course is now their top defenseman and has a full NMC so that seems really unlikely. Who knows, maybe take Guerin out on the town in Nashville again to get leverage...

 

[Djp]

I've been thinking about Brodin as a target. He's a steady, top 4D who can play either side. Not too old. Term, but not an absurd contract. Minnesota has had a down year, so I wonder if they look to move him for more youth at some point.

Tough part is he has a NMC, but who knows.

Something like:

Mitts (Minny guy and a youngish 2C for them)
Pick or prospect

Brodin
Foligno (can help convince Brodin to waive)

Thoughts?

No interest at all. Thsts before you say thr prospect is Savoie.

both those players are 30+ with 4+ yrs of term thus on the downside of their careers.

brodin is not a RD.

 

[Djp]

Lack of heart and effort this year almost like they played with a chip on their shoulder last year compared to this year, last year they played like they loved the sport flashes of brilliance at times this year we are inconsistent most games look like we come in heavy footed and underprepared

Right now they are one under 500. They turned 4 loses into Wins , they’d be right there in the center of WC hunt.

there are random events at play….
.
1. One goal losses
2. bad goals allowed
3. ineffective PP

 

[TehDoak]

Right now they are one under 500. They turned 4 loses into Wins , they’d be right there in the center of WC hunt.

there are random events at play….
.
1. One goal losses
2. bad goals allowed
3. ineffective PP

Those aren't random events. That's a poorly coached team with a poorly constructed roster.

 

[Djp]

Those aren't random events. That's a poorly coached team with a poorly constructed roster.

Yet the same team got 90+ pts last year.

 

[joshjull]

Most of us wanted Chychrun as a rental, so there's really no risk there. If you don't make the playoffs, you just sell him at the deadline like Ottawa is going to do. If you do make the playoffs, it was worth the cost.

Despite your yearlong argument against acquiring Chyschrun, it would actually have been the right move to make to add some experience to the backend without having to commit. The asset cost would be worth it...we aren't getting much for our army of small wingers anyway.

Your framing of a Chychrun trade is just bizarre.

For starters, any player acquired with 2+ years on their deal is not a rental. You’re not making a big commitment but you’re still on the hook for 2 more years.

Chychrun at the time of the trade was 24. He had less games under his belt than Dahlin and not many more than Joker. It’s adding another very talent but young player with zero experience helping a team make the playoffs. Which is a player like the rest of our core. Thats not really adding “experience” we need.

I‘m baffled by you thinking it would be no big deal if things didn’t work out because “We can just move him next trade deadline”. I don’t think you fully thought through what that means. Which is he failed to help us make the playoffs the year he was acquired. Then he failed to help us be a playoff team the next season. Things were so bad we felt the need to move on from him about a year after acquiring him.

Thats a pretty shitty outcome for a trade that would have cost us one of our top prospects (Kulich or Savoie) and some picks. Essentially one year of sucking with Chychrun at that price seems like a big deal. It’s also a potential risk along with his injury history.

This is coming from someone who didn’t feel strongly either way about acquiring him. Not someone dead set against his acquisition.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Your framing of a Chychrun trade is just bizarre.

For starters, any player acquired with 2+ years on their deal is not a rental. You’re not making a big commitment but you’re still on the hook for 2 more years.

Chychrun at the time of the trade was 24. He had less games under his belt than Dahlin and not many more than Joker. It’s adding another very talent but young player with zero experience helping a team make the playoffs. Which is a player like the rest of our core. Thats not really adding “experience” we need.

I‘m baffled by you thinking it would be no big deal if things didn’t work out because “We can just move him next trade deadline”. I don’t think you fully thought through what that means. Which is he failed to help us make the playoffs the year he was acquired. Then he failed to help us be a playoff team the next season. Things were so bad we felt the need to move on from him about a year after acquiring him.

Thats a pretty shitty outcome for a trade that would have cost us one of our top prospects (Kulich or Savoie) and some picks. Essentially one year of sucking with Chychrun at that price seems like a big deal. It’s also a potential risk along with his injury history.

This is coming from someone who didn’t feel strongly either way about acquiring him. Not someone dead set against his acquisition.

And further, you're trading futures for him, and then getting futures back. You end up taking a prospect that's 1-2 years from contributing to a prospect that is another 1-2 years away...one or two years later. I would have liked Chychrun and was pissed to see what he went to Ott for, but once the details came out I was fine about why KA didn't make the trade. If he did and now Chychrun wanted to leave Buf, it could only be deemed as a failure.

 

[Dirty Dog]

The idea of trading for Chychrun as a rental rather than a core piece (knowing it would take blue chip futures to get him) is seriously rewriting history and is so far off from reality

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

No interest at all. Thsts before you say thr prospect is Savoie.

both those players are 30+ with 4+ yrs of term thus on the downside of their careers.

brodin is not a RD.

I'm pretty sure Brodin played on the right for years successfully. Not sure if he is currently. But regardless, he can play on the left for us and still make a huge difference.

I personally think we need veteran players with experience and size to mix in at key positions. These guys aren't so old that they can't play any more, nor are their contracts that long.

Edit: I'm perfectly willing to trade an asset like Savoie, but not in this trade. I'd imagine Mitts would have significant value to them.

 

[Jim Bob]

Nashville Predators willing to listen on Juuse Saros if wowed by offer | TSN

While the Nashville Predators still plan to open extension talks with goaltender Juuse Saros this summer, a trade is not completely off the table ahead of the March 8 deadline.

www.tsn.ca

If he were signed for 2-3 years beyond 23-24, then go for it.

But, he likely wants the Helley extension after 24-25.

A wow offer might be too much for a year and a half...

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I don't think KA should be looking for any big goalie acquisition. I've been a UPL supporter for a couple years and he sure looks like he's going to be at least a 1B option if not decent starter. Levi has more upside. If there's a big move it should be for a top 4 D-man or bottom six guys that are bigger, tougher, stronger, meaner, older, and even step on bugs on the sidewalk.

Edit - a new coaching staff is the tide that raises all boats.

 

[joshjull]

What is the main reason sabres arent winning?

They have talent But what lines/players are the reasons they cant make it ?

or is it just coaching?

I‘d say the biggest reason is probably the PP. There are other issues but that one stands out.

Compare us to our next opponent, Tampa, who is in a wild card spot.

5v5 GF/60
Tampa -> 22nd
Buffalo -> 11th

5v5 GA/60
Tampa-> 28th
Buffalo -> 21st

5v5 SV%
Tampa -> 29th
Buffalo -> 28th

PP rank
Tampa -> 1st
Buffalo -> 27th

PK rank
Tampa -> 14th
Buffalo -> 16th


Records
Tampa -> 45gms 23-17-5 = 51pts (In a wild card spot)
Buffalo -> 45gms 20-21-4 = 44pts


If we had a top 10 PP like last season. We’d probably be in a wild card spot.

 

[Djp]

I'm pretty sure Brodin played on the right for years successfully. Not sure if he is currently. But regardless, he can play on the left for us and still make a huge difference.

I personally think we need veteran players with experience and size to mix in at key positions. These guys aren't so old that they can't play any more, nor are their contracts that long.

Edit: I'm perfectly willing to trade an asset like Savoie, but not in this trade. I'd imagine Mitts would have significant value to them.

I’m not trading Mitts for 30+ yr old players

 

[Djp]

I‘d say the biggest reason is probably the PP. There are other issues but that one stands out.

Compare us to our next opponent, Tampa, who is in a wild card spot.

5v5 GF/60
Tampa -> 22nd
Buffalo -> 11th

5v5 GA/60
Tampa-> 28th
Buffalo -> 21st

5v5 SV%
Tampa -> 29th
Buffalo -> 28th

PP rank
Tampa -> 1st
Buffalo -> 27th

PK rank
Tampa -> 14th
Buffalo -> 16th


Records
Tampa -> 45gms 23-17-5 = 51pts (In a wild card spot)
Buffalo -> 45gms 20-21-4 = 44pts


If we had a top 10 PP like last season. We’d probably be in a wild card spot.

I agree. As I said upthread.

the PP being top 10 would have changed about 10 of these one goal/OT losses into w8nter. Therr have been other games, I think a Boston game was like this. The game was like 1-1 at ES. Boston was like 3-3 on PP while we were 0-7. Or something like that.

they also have lost games among top 6 forwards which had an impact.

in some close games thry had some bad gaffes. At arizona UPL dud thst bad play behind thr no. Making it 1-0 and deciding the game. In another game they had goals scored coming off skates like Power in high slot.

a fewgames you turn L into W and some you get a point instead of a reg loss thrn they are in WC

 

[toddkaz]

Yet the same team got 90+ pts last year.

Which just shows how badly management was prepared for this year as 80% of the roster has regressed.

Its also not the same team. 2 of the 6 defensemen are new to the team along with Anderson retiring which is a big deal.

 

[Djp]

And further, you're trading futures for him, and then getting futures back. You end up taking a prospect that's 1-2 years from contributing to a prospect that is another 1-2 years away...one or two years later. I would have liked Chychrun and was pissed to see what he went to Ott for, but once the details came out I was fine about why KA didn't make the trade. If he did and now Chychrun wanted to leave Buf, it could only be deemed as a failure.

the Arizona ask was not what Ottawa gave up. It was more.

the ask was likely Savoie, 1st( benson), and another drafted player/2nd.

buffalo offer was probably Kulich, 2nd 2023, and a 2024 2nd that became a 1st if final 4 In 2024.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Couple ideas to throw out for discussion. Here's what's been going through my head for the Sabres. Remember, trades that are fair probably hurt.

@My Cozen Dylan proposed a trade that I like. Here's what he proposed:

Buffalo sends Kulich, Krebs, Joliharju, and a 2024 2nd round pick to Calgary for Weegar and Coleman.

The only thing I don't like about this trade is that Weegar is 30 years old and Coleman is 32 years old.


I really like the idea of making a trade with Minnesota. Would Guerin be willing to trade value to get rid of some salary? Minnesota is up again the cap again next season with $14.7M in dead cap space. I like Stramel and Khusnutdinov from their prospect pool. @TheBarnIsElectric brough up Foligno and Brodin as trade targets. Again, love the players, don't love the ages.


And a blockbuster type that's been rolling around in my head. I like Power, but having him behind Dahlin seems like a wasted asset. He really needs to be a #1 power play guy to maximize who he is as a player. Ottawa now has an issue with Chychrun. I think it's only a matter of time before Tkachuk gets frustrated - that's purely my speculation, but based off his dad and his brother's situation.

Power and a lot for Tkachuk and Chychrun?

Just for discussion on a Friday.....

 

[Djp]

Which just shows how badly management was prepared for this year as 80% of the roster has regressed.

Its also not the same team. 2 of the 6 defensemen are new to the team along with Anderson retiring which is a big deal.

Data show otherwise On thst “ regression”