Roster Thread (2023-2024 Season)

[OkimLom]

We must be nearing the "mathematically eliminated from the playoffs" date, no?

GMKA's dream of building the first NHL team of 5'9" or less 18 year olds is nearing completion.

"We've got mad skillz"

We've got 26 games to make up 12/13 points on the WC teams. We're not close to being mathematically eliminated, but It's very up steep hill to climb, and without looking at the teams above us and how we are looking against them in terms of tie-breakers, I would say a near impossibility. We're in no man's land, because there's still a punchers chance, but we haven't shown that we can sustain the quality of play necessary.

 

[KeyserSoze81]

Anyway, why doesn’t anyone talk about Housely anymore? What was that guy’s deal.

Housley is probably the most acceptable coaching failure that they have had during this blight. They had just tried and failed with a retread in Bylsma. Housley was an up and coming assistant coach, leading a really good Nashville defensive group. He likely would have gotten a shot elsewhere. He had no professional head coaching experience, and he was bad. The system that he installed was a cluster, and players regularly did not know how to play it. They should have moved on from him sooner, but I don't really fault them for hiring him in the first place, which I cannot say about any of the other coaching hires in the last 25 years.

 

[Chainshot]

Funny hearing Friedman go on about the same usual teams regarding Hanifin (Tampa, Boston) and then Marek throws out "well what about Buffalo" as though the way-back machine could have gotten things done last year.

And then Friedman starts talking about the Bruins needing a center... and a lot of teams are looking in on Mittelstadt.

 

[Ace]

Funny hearing Friedman go on about the same usual teams regarding Hanifin (Tampa, Boston) and then Marek throws out "well what about Buffalo" as though the way-back machine could have gotten things done last year.

And then Friedman starts talking about the Bruins needing a center... and a lot of teams are looking in on Mittelstadt.

What makes it funny is that his one emphatic Buffalo report is that they want help now…but can’t strongly link them to adding anything. Sometimes he can speculate on adding like Scott Laughton. But even then he is clearly trying to find a name he thinks makes sense. ……and also the things he does hear are that people are calling for them to ship out Mitts and Tuch.

It must be maddening trying to cover this franchise. Just default into they won’t do anything of note. Would have landed you an excellent track record the last three years.

 

[zenthusiast]

Why should Adams feel inclined to do anything? He’s getting at least another year

 

[MOGlLNY]

Funny hearing Friedman go on about the same usual teams regarding Hanifin (Tampa, Boston) and then Marek throws out "well what about Buffalo" as though the way-back machine could have gotten things done last year.

And then Friedman starts talking about the Bruins needing a center... and a lot of teams are looking in on Mittelstadt.

I will strangle Kevyn Adams if he trades Mittelstadt to Boston.

 

[thewookie1]

I will say this - Mitts for Byram+ seems like it could be in the cards based on our AGM being at three COL games in a row recently.

No thanks, literally zero interest in Byram he sucks in every place we’d need a better player. He is neither physical or a good defensive player.

 

[Chainshot]

I will strangle Kevyn Adams if he trades Mittelstadt to Boston.

It'll be like that scene in Airplane - we'll all be in line but progressively more armed.

 

[Chainshot]

Why should Adams feel inclined to do anything? He’s getting at least another year

I mean, he's got a team that went in the wrong direction heavily this year and hasn't made any sort of key addition in his top 4 D or top 9 forwards from outside in years.

 

[Tatanka]

I mean, he's got a team that went in the wrong direction heavily this year and hasn't made any sort of key addition in his top 4 D or top 9 forwards from outside in years.

Doesn’t matter. He isn’t feeling any heat.

 

[Dubi Doo]

I <3 Mitts, but I have to wonder if a GM gets trigger happy and makes an offer KA can't refuse. The TDL can become a crazy arms race, and a C like Mitts would probably be one of the hotter commodities out there.

 

[Ace]

Doesn’t matter. He isn’t feeling any heat.

It’s true. Empty arenas are mighty cold

 

[KrakenSabresMike]

I will strangle Kevyn Adams if he trades Mittelstadt to Boston.

Would you strangle him if we got Carlo, poitras and a 1? Every trade is relative to what we actually get back… I strangle them more he treated him to somebody else and got crap returned

 

[Ace]

I <3 Mitts, but I have to wonder if a team gets to trigget happy and makes an offer KA can't refuse. The TDL can become a crazy arms race, and a C like Mitts would probably be one of the hotter commodities out there.

what could someone offer that can’t be refused? A contender isn’t trading a proven young top 4 D. A package of futures? f*** that. No one picking higher than you is trading their pick, an unproven player years away is the opposite of what we need…and a package of them is even worse.

A team in a bidding war gives you what? The 30th pick in the draft, a forward prospect who ranks 7th in your prospect pool and a D who who sits atop our pool because the top of our pool is a kiddie pool?

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Move on from Colton?

I think you have Colton mixed up with Johansen. Nearly everyone want RyJO gone.

Colton is a keeper. He's just been asked to play a 2C role that he's not equipped or talented enough to do.

Bednar has no choice because Colorado hasn't had a 2C since Kadri left.

I’d love Colton. And seeing you watch the Avs, what are your thoughts on Sam Malinski?

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

I’d love Colton. And seeing you watch the Avs, what are your thoughts on Sam Malinski?

I was pleasantly surprised by Malinski's skating, passing and mobility. He's not Sam Girard (who is playing his best hockey right now) but its possible he's a solid 5/6 Dman.

 

[Chainshot]

I was pleasantly surprised by Malinski's skating, passing and mobility. He's not Sam Girard (who is playing his best hockey right now) but its possible he's a solid 5/6 Dman.

I had hopes for Malinski as a UDFA coming out of Cornell. Finding a decent third pairing guy for just cash is always a bonus.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

I was pleasantly surprised by Malinski's skating, passing and mobility. He's not Sam Girard (who is playing his best hockey right now) but its possible he's a solid 5/6 Dman.

I was asking about a Colton + Malinski swap there, so I figured I’d get someone else’s opinion on the latter.

I wanted Colton this past summer but I know there was no way he’d sign in Buffalo.

 

[TehDoak]

So Bryam + Colton for mittelstadt then.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

So Bryam + Colton for mittelstadt then.

Now that...that is interesting.

 

[Chainshot]

Would you strangle him if we got Carlo, poitras and a 1? Every trade is relative to what we actually get back… I strangle them more he treated him to somebody else and got crap returned

I can’t see Boston putting Carlo into any deal. Lorhei, Lysell, that sort? Sure.

 

[Dingo44]

 

[Zman5778]

So Bryam + Colton for mittelstadt then.

I know Byram isn't exactly what we need..........but this is intriguing. Very, very intriguing.

 

[Misko]

Byram is actually a reasonable player to make a bet on assuming he remains healthy and most importantly steers clear of his concussion problems. He has potential, and he was a dependable player on a stacked Dcore during the Av's cup run. That said, his play hasn't improved from last season and his underlying analytics aren't great. Combined with his concussion risk, that's a lot to bet on to overcome.

Colton + Byram for Mitts would be worth thinking about, but I think both of those players are unlikely to grow into a position where they could be impact players similar to that of the level of Mittelstadt, who is one of the Sabres' few consistent/good forwards. I think you only consider doing that trade if you think Cozens AND Thompson can return to form as legitimate #1 and #2 centers, but considering their regression this season, it's murky waters right now.

 

[sabremike]

Honestly I would love to see what this roster looked like if they had actual NHL quality coaching. Imagine if say Torts was coaching this team, we'd probably be well into a playoff position. It's so frustrating to see what obviously needs to be done knowing it has a zero percent chance of happening.