Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[TheBarnIsElectric]

Maybe he's just trying to get an invite to the current "Trade Mitts" party on Sabres Twitter.

I can't think of a more wrongheaded, shortsighted, counterproductive move than dealing our only natural NHL center who has finally cracked into his prime who also happens to be our hardest worker in-game. But that's Sabres Twitter for you...

I don't know what criteria you use for "natural" center, but we have two other guys who have had great to dominant seasons playing at center and haven't played as good this year. I guess you could say they're playing at a more of a Mitts (prior to this year) level this year, but that doesn't mean they aren't good Centers, despite your hyperbole.

I don't need the team to trade Mitts, but the biggest hole on the roster was, and continues to be top 4D. If we can't trade one of our top prospects for one as people told me last year, and we can't trade from a surplus of talent at a different position either, then there is zero hope of ever filling that hole any time soon, and zero hope taking the next step as a team.

Yes, Mitts is having a good year. No, it is not crazy, or short-sighted to consider trading him. Short-sighted would be unwillingness to move assets with value now for pieces that can help us more long term. To be honest, I wouldn't mind a little more short-sightedness from Adams, but since a top 4d also helps us now, I consider trading Mitts for a good defenseman a good move for the short and long term.

 

[Tijuana Donkey Show]

I don't know what criteria you use for "natural" center, but we have two other guys who have had great to dominant seasons playing at center and haven't played as good this year. I guess you could say they're playing at a more of a Mitts (prior to this year) level this year, but that doesn't mean they aren't good Centers, despite your hyperbole.

I don't need the team to trade Mitts, but the biggest hole on the roster was, and continues to be top 4D. If we can't trade one of our top prospects for one as people told me last year, and we can't trade from a surplus of talent at a different position either, then there is zero hope of ever filling that hole any time soon, and zero hope taking the next step as a team.

Yes, Mitts is having a good year. No, it is not crazy, or short-sighted to consider trading him. Short-sighted would be unwillingness to move assets with value now for pieces that can help us more long term. To be honest, I wouldn't mind a little more short-sightedness from Adams, but since a top 4d also helps us now, I consider trading Mitts for a good defenseman a good move for the short and long term.

Cozens has never been dominant, and his "great" season last year wasn't "great", it was pretty good, but the hope is he has great potential. That could very well be a thing still. But career to date Cozens has never been great by NHL Vet standards. He showed that maybe he could be.

Mitts is our only center with a 200 foot game. The biggest reason he might get traded is because of the Cozens and/or Power contracts

 

[OkimLom]

Mitts is just as prone to boneheaded decisions as everyone else. He just so happens to do it a bit less and doesn't result in a goal against as much. That giveaway against the ducks was just....gross. At least Clifton fell on accident. It's a talking point because he is part of the Eichel era sucking and his contract is up. Is anyone upset if he signs a 6x5 deal? 7x7 seems too much. His production is slowing down and doesn't seem to be a great finisher. 12 in 48 and has been our 1C on and off.

At the end of the dayt, I think Mitts will be the odd man out looking at the collection of players we have that probably deserve a bigger raise, especially based on how quickly Adams extended and gave a massive raise to Cozens. Guys like Quinn and Peterka will have a pretty good case of asking for sizable raise when they see Cozens getting one when looking at the impact those two have had on the ice. I can see Quinn and Peterka getting 5-6 million per long term. Joker I think has played decent/good enough, and better than say Clifton. He probably has a good case to ask for $4-$5 million per season.

I think Mitts has played better than Cozens, while playing more of the harder matchup minutes and responsibilities. If it's a long term deal, I see Mitts getting at least $6 million per quite easily. With the budget that Adams seemingly is working with, that will mean that the spots that probably need upgrading/replacing at a level to help increase the competitiveness of the team overall, will be used with a lesser focus. A big help in the matter would be Skinner being traded. And if Tuch and Greenway is looked at as long term pieces, that's probably more money thrown on the top heavy of contracts in the top 6.

I don't see any of Krebs or any near-ready prospects taking the reins from Mittelstadt, or if they think Cozens will be that, I don't see any that are ready to step into the role Cozens would be leaving open.

 

[sabremike]

The same people agitating for Mitts to be traded will be the same ones angry a few years later when he's an all star while the pile of magic beans we got back in exchange didn't pan out.

 

[KeyserSoze81]

He's the only one willing to work for the $45K per year that the job pays.

It's sad to see people directing their hate to the low paid media as opposed to the wealthy people actually responsible for this mess.

I don't blame Paul Hamilton for accepting a job. From a business standpoint, an irrelevant NHL team in Buffalo should not have a beat reporter. I could not make a value justification for his job - the travel expenses, the poor content that is produced, etc.

Regional sports networks are all dying - all the money flows to national coverage who have better economies of scale. If my options are to have nothing vs. poor quality content, I would rather have nothing.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I don't blame Paul Hamilton for accepting a job. From a business standpoint, an irrelevant NHL team in Buffalo should not have a beat reporter. I could not make a value justification for his job - the travel expenses, the poor content that is produced, etc.

Regional sports networks are all dying - all the money flows to national coverage who have better economies of scale. If my options are to have nothing vs. poor quality content, I would rather have nothing.

Why complain about something that isn’t targeted toward you, and doesn’t interest you?

If you would rather have nothing, why are you proving the opposite by still listening and paying attention, and even going so far as to spend time assessing them publicly? Your points ring disingenuous.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

The same people agitating for Mitts to be traded will be the same ones angry a few years later when he's an all star while the pile of magic beans we got back in exchange didn't pan out.

I think the path is pretty clear - re-sign Mittelstadt and see what happens with Thompson, Cozens, and Ostlund over the next two seasons. None of the Cs have to go anywhere for now.

 

[Chainshot]

I think the path is pretty clear - re-sign Mittelstadt and see what happens with Thompson, Cozens, and Ostlund over the next two seasons. None of the Cs have to go anywhere for now.

That seems pretty straightforward. It's not even as though they have a spare center around agitating for more playing time - Krebs seems to have found his level and isn't pushing anyone above him out and today is the first time I've actually heard someone say "Kulich is probably better on the wing" among the various coaches. So... that leaves no one ready. They don't need to move on until someone is ready for that time.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

That seems pretty straightforward. It's not even as though they have a spare center around agitating for more playing time - Krebs seems to have found his level and isn't pushing anyone above him out and today is the first time I've actually heard someone say "Kulich is probably better on the wing" among the various coaches. So... that leaves no one ready. They don't need to move on until someone is ready for that time.

Next season they’ll be back to experimenting with Quinn at center after they trade Mitts and don’t find a replacement.

 

[KeyserSoze81]

Why complain about something that isn’t targeted toward you, and doesn’t interest you?

If you would rather have nothing, why are you proving the opposite by still listening and paying attention, and even going so far as to spend time assessing them publicly? Your points ring disingenuous.

I regularly post on a hockey message board for a team that I dislike in a league that I despise. I used to love the Sabres. I used to love Empire Sports and the early days of WGR. As these things have crumpled to dust, I find my sports fandom has devolved into shouting into the void and pining for what once was. I observe and complain. From the tenor of most conversations here, I assumed that most are in the same state of mind. I find my fandom disingenuous, so at least I am being consistent.

I think the path is pretty clear - re-sign Mittelstadt and see what happens with Thompson, Cozens, and Ostlund over the next two seasons. None of the Cs have to go anywhere for now.

Yeah, I think this is the way. I would love it if Cozens or Thompson is moved, which should cement Casey as a top 6 C.

 

[Chainshot]

Next season they’ll be back to experimenting with Quinn at center after they trade Mitts and don’t find a replacement.

Yeah, that sounds like them. Or shrug and plug Kulich in there. Or Benson,

They can afford Mittelstadt and don't have a replacement. If he's around, it opens up the option of moving Cozens or even Thompson to the wing in the top 9 if they were to find or rapidly develop another center too.

Moving him for pure futures seems like just yet again kicking the can further down the road.

 

[Tijuana Donkey Show]

At the end of the dayt, I think Mitts will be the odd man out looking at the collection of players we have that probably deserve a bigger raise, especially based on how quickly Adams extended and gave a massive raise to Cozens. Guys like Quinn and Peterka will have a pretty good case of asking for sizable raise when they see Cozens getting one when looking at the impact those two have had on the ice. I can see Quinn and Peterka getting 5-6 million per long term. Joker I think has played decent/good enough, and better than say Clifton. He probably has a good case to ask for $4-$5 million per season.

I think Mitts has played better than Cozens, while playing more of the harder matchup minutes and responsibilities. If it's a long term deal, I see Mitts getting at least $6 million per quite easily. With the budget that Adams seemingly is working with, that will mean that the spots that probably need upgrading/replacing at a level to help increase the competitiveness of the team overall, will be used with a lesser focus. A big help in the matter would be Skinner being traded. And if Tuch and Greenway is looked at as long term pieces, that's probably more money thrown on the top heavy of contracts in the top 6.

I don't see any of Krebs or any near-ready prospects taking the reins from Mittelstadt, or if they think Cozens will be that, I don't see any that are ready to step into the role Cozens would be leaving open.

I think this team can give Mitts a long term contract and keep Cozens and Power for a year. But when it comes time to extend JJP/Quinn/Levi they will have to part ways with with one Cozens/Power/Mitts. In that scenario, I guess they could not extend JJP/Quinn, but both their games are significantly better than either Cozens this season.

To the bolded, I agree that nobody on the roster at the moment is capable of filling Mitts role. But I also don't think Cozens play this year leaves any void. He has been a flat out bed center this year. Replacing a bad center isn't difficult.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

What was the rumor today, EJ1 for a pick ?

 

[Chainshot]

What was the rumor today, EJ1 for a pick ?

Nothing firm, just that Friedman mentioned he is a name teams are interested in. Haven't listened to the pod yet to see if there is more to it.

 

[Zip15]

The same people agitating for Mitts to be traded will be the same ones angry a few years later when he's an all star while the pile of magic beans we got back in exchange didn't pan out.

Are the people who advocated for Sam to be traded also "angry" now? That would require some self-reflection and an ability to admit they were wrong. More likely, those same people will provide the same canned "they were part of the problem because we never won anything with them" response they give re: ROR...and Jack...and Sam...and....

 

[debaser66]

You sign Mitts longterm, or you start from scratch again having another whole you have to fill.
Unless he is part of a trade that brings in an established center who is a level above him its just a gamble you dont take.
he wants to be here and has the right work ethic, despite all the rest of the core playing like garbage.
none of the prospect we have is near his level, you could be fortunate that one of them turns out like him in 3 to 4 years, good luck with that.
I really would like the reason why Adams hasn't even talked to him and what his idea is, because the longer he waits the more expensive it is going to get, he wont get anything similar unless its a big trade, no way you get a player like that in UFA who wants to be here, you probably can add 2mill extra and overpay a guy.
I always wanted Reinhart to be signed long term this just seems like a deja vu.

​

 

[Chainshot]

And I get the concern that if Peterka and Quinn and Levi develop they would be in line for payment in two years. They're not there yet and it's reasonable to wait to see if they do get there. Making a deal on a what if, that pushes more futures into a pipeline that is already going to see prospects wither on the vine, seems like continuing to spin their proverbial wheels.

 

[debaser66]

And I get the concern that if Peterka and Quinn and Levi develop they would be in line for payment in two years. They're not there yet and it's reasonable to wait to see if they do get there. Making a deal on a what if, that pushes more futures into a pipeline that is already going to see prospects wither on the vine, seems like continuing to spin their proverbial wheels.

and Mitts for that money is easy to trade should you want to move on or scramble your line up

 

[Chainshot]

and Mitts for that money is easy to trade should you want to move on or scramble your line up

With what we're starting to see 2nd line guys get, any of Cozens or Thompson should be able to be moved at their cap hit as well in summer restructuring moves.

They could surprise us and go in a different direction, but it's not like there are a bunch of centers hitting the market this summer who have top 6 versatility. Hell, there are fans of a couple of Western Conference teams (Vancouver and Colorado to be precise) who keep on about the need to upgrade their 2C for a run this year and there just aren't any floating around other the comments of interest toward Mittelstadt from Weekes in the last few days.

 

[OkimLom]

I think this team can give Mitts a long term contract and keep Cozens and Power for a year. But when it comes time to extend JJP/Quinn/Levi they will have to part ways with with one Cozens/Power/Mitts. In that scenario, I guess they could not extend JJP/Quinn, but both their games are significantly better than either Cozens this season.

To the bolded, I agree that nobody on the roster at the moment is capable of filling Mitts role. But I also don't think Cozens play this year leaves any void. He has been a flat out bed center this year. Replacing a bad center isn't difficult.

Bolded: Regardless of the level of play of Cozens, even if he played great, I don't think there's anybody ready in the pipeline, or on the roster currently to take what his role is if he was given Mittelstadt's role. If Cozens was kept in his role, I don't think anybody right now is ready for Mittelstadt's role if he left. The only positive thing about the Casey situation right now, is that he's a RFA still at the end of the current contract.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

They can afford Mittelstadt and don't have a replacement. If he's around, it opens up the option of moving Cozens or even Thompson to the wing in the top 9 if they were to find or rapidly develop another center too.

I think everyone kind of agrees on this, for the most part. Gotta be thankful for the lack of NMCs, it really takes so much of the risk away.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Sign Mitts to a bridge, make some moves to compete and if you cap crunch in 2 years then let him walk when the time comes. We SHOULD have a replacement ready.

 

[nickdawg95]

Jokiharju + Rosen + 2nd for Jenner

Skinner UPL Savoie 2024 1st TTP For Saros + Sissons

Mittlestadt For Konecny

2025 1st for Roy



Benson-TT-Konency
JJP-Cozens-Tuch
Greenways-Jenner-Quinn
Girgenson-Sissons-Krebs

Samuelsson-Dahlin
Power-Roy
Johnson-Clifton

Saros
Levi

 

[Ehran]

Sign Mitts to a bridge, make some moves to compete and if you cap crunch in 2 years then let him walk when the time comes. We SHOULD have a replacement ready.

EDIT: I think I misunderstood your comment and that you want to sign him for 2 years. I think you mean let him walk in the summer of '25.

 

[Gras]

Sign Mitts to a bridge, make some moves to compete and if you cap crunch in 2 years then let him walk when the time comes. We SHOULD have a replacement ready.

Its not really a bridge when you walk him right to UFA