Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[Doug Prishpreed]

Some Flyers beats suggests they go after Casey. Not sure see a fit for a trade. Any thoughts Sabres fans? What players would have interest coming back?

Not sure I see a fit either. Both teams are kind of in the same spot in their rebuild and have similar needs.

 

[toddkaz]

If Calgary is retooling and not rebuilding and it looks like Hanifin will walk wouldn't mind making a trade there with an extension in place.

Granato playing Dahlin 25-29 minutes a game just isn't working.

I would also rather resign Mittelstadt but if they trade him then a top 4 defender would be ideal. Power and Dahlin need to get their minutes down.

 

[Uberpecker]

If Mitts is being traded to BOS, get ready for a package of futures.

And possibly another cup for a scoring line center developed by the Sabres.

 

[OkimLom]

So by that same logic doesn't Adams deserve to be fired for not firing and moving on from a coach that can't get it done? That's like any business not moving on from a manager that isn't interested in managing a company.

The difference here is that Adams has had twice as long as Murray to move on from Granato and the results have been worse. And there's no expectation that either will be fired.

The problem with Granato isn’t that he’s showing he’s not interested in working with the roster and trying to develop them. Because he’s engaged with the roster. The problem is that Granato shows himself to have limitations not only with being a coach but developer. The next stage for the guys is to develop a sense of a work ethic to win games. For me, He’s met his limit and the team needs to continue with their growth. I have zero confidence that Granato is able to build that necessary work Ethic.

Im not necessarily calling for him to be fired out of pure emotional outrage at him, but because I don’t think he can go any further than where he’s at now. I think management is at a point they need to see that, and their inability to see that could undo any of the positive impacts Granato once had.

 

[Archie Lee]

The problem with Granato isn’t that he’s showing he’s not interested in working with the roster and trying to develop them. Because he’s engaged with the roster. The problem is that Granato shows himself to have limitations not only with being a coach but developer. The next stage for the guys is to develop a sense of a work ethic to win games. For me, He’s met his limit and the team needs to continue with their growth. I have zero confidence that Granato is able to build that necessary work Ethic.

Im not necessarily calling for him to be fired out of pure emotional outrage at him, but because I don’t think he can go any further than where he’s at now. I think management is at a point they need to see that, and their inability to see that could undo any of the positive impacts Granato once had.

This summarizes how I feel. I could easily see Granato being hired by another NHL team in two scenarios:

1.) To do what he did here and help an organization through the first 2-3 years of a rebuild; or
2.) To take over team that has been beaten down a bit by a more iron-fisted coach and that would benefit from a lighter touch.

It seems he has run his course with the Sabres though. For whatever reason, they are not responding.

 

[Archie Lee]

The year before Adams got here the team had 68 points in 69 games.

Four offseasons FOUR YEARS later with an entire team full of players either signed by or acquired by Adams except for one guy (Skinner) they have 48 points in 51 games.

That is the fruits of four years of effort. You can try to hand waive it because he…wasn’t trying for two years? Weird defense for a guy who signed Taylor Hall to a team with a better record than they have now…but you do you…

but it doesn’t change that those two years were a part of his building of this team. Look at it. Look at what he‘s built. In four years.

Look at it. And then tell me how you “see things”

I have looked at it a lot. I just see it differently than you. I think that anyone who looks at the team or situation that Adams too over and diminishes it to "he took over an NHL .500 team" is either not fully understanding, or is being intellectually dishonest about, the mess that Adams inherited.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Bruins looking into Girgs and Okposo for playoffs ?

 

[Fjordsen]

I have looked at it a lot. I just see it differently than you. I think that anyone who looks at the team or situation that Adams too over and diminishes it to "he took over an NHL .500 team" is either not fully understanding, or is being intellectually dishonest about, the mess that Adams inherited.

Adams showed nothing as a GM who could build a playoff team, he had plenty of time to do this and no one rushed him, on the contrary, we waited patiently. He can sell, accumulate futures and draft, but it’s high time to move on to another stage of development, he still hasn’t done that. As a result, the team is now regressing, and Adams never made any significant trades or signings as a buyer, he only sold mainly for futures. Maybe it's time for him to show that he can also buyer and reach the playoffs?

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

Bruins looking into Girgs and Okposo for playoffs ?

This is a tweet based on an article that is basing itself on speculation. I don't see a fit.

 

[slip]

The Sabres are on a trajectory to become the first team in all of professional sports to run into cap trouble without the top 7-8 highest paid players on the team having so much as sniffed a playoff game.

 

[BFLO]

This depends on how you see things I guess. Murray basically had a two year period where he was trying to win and topped out at 81 points. This is year two of Adams trying to win (sort of?) and he topped out at 91 last year. We aren't getting to 91 points this year, but we could get higher than 81 still. Not defending Adams for what has happened this season, but not sure how one could conclude his accomplishments are worse than Murray's.

The bolded says it all. It's year 4 and we're not sure if Adams has even tried to win yet or not.

The problem with Granato isn’t that he’s showing he’s not interested in working with the roster and trying to develop them. Because he’s engaged with the roster. The problem is that Granato shows himself to have limitations not only with being a coach but developer. The next stage for the guys is to develop a sense of a work ethic to win games. For me, He’s met his limit and the team needs to continue with their growth. I have zero confidence that Granato is able to build that necessary work Ethic.

Im not necessarily calling for him to be fired out of pure emotional outrage at him, but because I don’t think he can go any further than where he’s at now. I think management is at a point they need to see that, and their inability to see that could undo any of the positive impacts Granato once had.

The problem with Bylsma was that he wasn't interested in kissing Jack Eichel or Pegual's asses, and he was bad at coaching hockey. He might still be the coach if he was as good at ass kissing as Adams or Granato.

I don't care how "engaged" Granato is with the players if he can't get results. Neither of these losers has gotten results. Get someone who can.

This is the NHL. Not U7 minor league where it's important for every child to get even ice time and then sing Kumbaya in the locker room after a loss and get emotionally supported by the coach.

Loyalty from Ownership to managers and coaches who can't get results is bad. This is the NHL where even the "good" owners churn through GMs and coaches until they get lucky and get results.

 

[VaporTrail]

That would be great to get them out...they've been here long enough and know how to lose and accept it...Great to see them gone.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Bruins looking into Girgs and Okposo for playoffs ?

Charity?

 

[MOGlLNY]

Saying Adams hasn’t tried to win for 4 years then proceeding to blame the coach for not getting results (he has improved year over year until this season) when his roster hasn’t changed is interesting.

I think Granato’s time is probably up and is going to meet the sword because of his poor assistant choices. But I think the blame lays way more on Adams asking Granato to make another large point jump with the youngest team in the league. Again. For the third year in a row.

Adams legitimately asked him to make the playoffs with a 21 year old goaltender.

 

[Ace]

Saying Adams hasn’t tried to win for 4 years then proceeding to blame the coach for not getting results (he has improved year over year until this season) when his roster hasn’t changed is interesting.

I think Granato’s time is probably up and is going to meet the sword because of his poor assistant choices. But I think the blame lays way more on Adams asking Granato to make another large point jump with the youngest team in the league. Again. For the third year in a row.

Adams legitimately asked him to make the playoffs with a 21 year old goaltender.

As I said months ago…Adams has owed Granato a roster changing upgrade trade for two years now…but he didn’t give it to him and time is up. We cant wait for Adams to do his job anymore to judge Granato’s performance. There is more than enough cause for a change in coaching on its own merits. Sucks his GM failed him so spectacularly. Can’t justify retaining you even if he ever bothers to show up for work.

 

[Ace]

The Sabres are on a trajectory to become the first team in all of professional sports to run into cap trouble without the top 7-8 highest paid players on the team having so much as sniffed a playoff game.

I’ll believe they’ll get into cap trouble when they get themselves remotely close to the cap. They have almost 26 million in cap space next year with 8 of the top 9 forwards under contract and the top 2 D paid. There’s more talk they’ll move on from their leading scorer than that they’ll pay him. They have a half a dozen rookie contracts that can enter the league and a rising cap beyond next year.

I will believe it when it happens. And I’ll f***ing welcome it. Because if Pegula spends and Adams fails…he’ll get fired and that’s a great day

 

[MarkusKetterer]

If Mitts is being traded to BOS, get ready for a package of futures.

Don’t make me put you on ignore

I’d have no problem with Mitts going to Boston, as long as we get Carlo and Beecher back.

 

[toddkaz]

3rd for Girgensons?
7th for Okposo?

 

[SundherDome]

Bruins looking into Girgs and Okposo for playoffs ?

It would make sense but I can't see how Boston makes any moves, they have like 8 bucks in the savings account

 

[ValJamesDuex]

It would make sense but I can't see how Boston makes any moves, they have like 8 bucks in the savings account

perhaps the Sabre's could retain salary in exchange for a better asset ?

 

[OkimLom]

The bolded says it all. It's year 4 and we're not sure if Adams has even tried to win yet or not.

The problem with Bylsma was that he wasn't interested in kissing Jack Eichel or Pegual's asses, and he was bad at coaching hockey. He might still be the coach if he was as good at ass kissing as Adams or Granato.

I don't care how "engaged" Granato is with the players if he can't get results. Neither of these losers has gotten results. Get someone who can.

This is the NHL. Not U7 minor league where it's important for every child to get even ice time and then sing Kumbaya in the locker room after a loss and get emotionally supported by the coach.

Loyalty from Ownership to managers and coaches who can't get results is bad. This is the NHL where even the "good" owners churn through GMs and coaches until they get lucky and get results.

You’re not going to get a disagreement from regarding Granato and engagement. As I’ve said in my post for me it’s his quality of coaching.

 

[PatLaFontaineASMR]

As I said months ago…Adams has owed Granato a roster changing upgrade trade for two years now…but he didn’t give it to him and time is up. We cant wait for Adams to do his job anymore to judge Granato’s performance. There is more than enough cause for a change in coaching on its own merits. Sucks his GM failed him so spectacularly. Can’t justify retaining you even if he ever bothers to show up for work.

What is this roster changing upgrade? A veteran goalie when we've had really solid goaltending? Another top 6 forward when we're top 10 in 5v5 scoring? We probably could've used a top 4 D, but I think our defensive issues are much more system related. I've seen far less talented defensive cores put up much better defensive results. The system sucks.

Our issue is having the 28th PP. You have a norris votes d man, several 30+ goal scorers, and a great playmaking C. Like wtf else does Granato need lol? Does he need McDavid at every position to have an average PP? That's on Adams?

A good coach easily gets this roster in the playoffs. Flyers/Preds sold off talent in the summer and have been better than us.

 

[SabresFanNorthPortFL]

“What is the roster changing upgrade?”

Even though I don’t/didn’t agree with the Girgs/OK/Jost signings, they were signed., as were Johnson/Clifton, which were ok.

We knew very early that Quinn was out.

We have a development coach.

We’ve got mostly midget high end prospects.

We needed minimally a Quinn replacement.

Our staff could’ve looked at developing a power forward.

1 move:

Compher was signed for 5x5. For discussion purposes only, we signed him instead, and we’re gonna balance our team.

Skinner - Thompson- Tuch
Peterka - Mitts - Cozins
Greenway - Compher - xxxxx
Girgs/OK/Jost/Kebs/Robinson

It would’ve been a “roster changing upgrade.”

 

[Tatanka]

What is this roster changing upgrade? A veteran goalie when we've had really solid goaltending? Another top 6 forward when we're top 10 in 5v5 scoring? We probably could've used a top 4 D, but I think our defensive issues are much more system related. I've seen far less talented defensive cores put up much better defensive results. The system sucks.

Our issue is having the 28th PP. You have a norris votes d man, several 30+ goal scorers, and a great playmaking C. Like wtf else does Granato need lol? Does he need McDavid at every position to have an average PP? That's on Adams?

A good coach easily gets this roster in the playoffs. Flyers/Preds sold off talent in the summer and have been better than us.

Who is this playmaking Center you reference?

 

[PatLaFontaineASMR]

Who is this playmaking Center you reference?

Mitts